Automated Software Upgrade via Control Center Eligibility Checks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for upgrading software on hardware devices with limited data processing capabilities, such as automated teller machines and DSL modems, are inefficient due to the need for high connection speeds, large memory, and complex multitasking, and often require manual intervention and extensive resources, especially in networks with stringent uptime and reliability requirements.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses a control center to manage software updates by determining eligibility for automatic upgrades based on hardware profiles, selecting compatible software revisions, and scheduling updates within specific time windows, ensuring compatibility and resource efficiency across a network of hardware devices with varying capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automated PC software update procedure is used, then automation level is improved, but device complexity and resource requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that performs the complex software update management tasks. The server stores software packages, determines compatibility, and manages the update process, while the client devices with limited processing power only need to execute simple update commands and receive software packages, thus resolving the contradiction between automation and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/computational system where each device performs complex update operations locally with a centralized server-based system that handles computation remotely. The server's superior processing power substitutes for the limited processing power of client devices, enabling automation without requiring high local computational resources
2Reliability
If full software package is downloaded, then update completeness is improved, but network bandwidth and memory requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The server performs preliminary actions by determining software compatibility and preparing appropriate software packages before transmission. The system checks hardware profiles, software versions, and compatibility matrices in advance, ensuring that only necessary and compatible software is downloaded, thus reducing network bandwidth and memory requirements while maintaining update completeness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of software delivery by providing tailored software packages specific to each device's hardware profile and current software version. Instead of downloading universal or excessive software, the system transmits precisely the right software package size and content, optimizing network bandwidth and memory usage while ensuring complete and compatible updates
3Measurement precision
If manual intervention is required, then update accuracy is improved, but productivity and time consumption worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the server receives information about device hardware profiles, current software versions, and update status. Based on this feedback, the server automatically determines compatibility, selects appropriate software packages, and manages the update process, achieving both high accuracy through informed decision-making and high productivity through automated execution
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service updates where devices automatically receive and install software updates without manual intervention. The server autonomously manages the entire update process including compatibility checking, package selection, and deployment, thereby achieving both accuracy through systematic validation and productivity through elimination of manual steps
4Reliability
If compatibility checks are performed, then update reliability is improved, but processing time and complexity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The server performs compatibility checks as a preliminary action before software transmission. By determining hardware profile compatibility, software version compatibility, and package appropriateness in advance, the system ensures reliable updates while minimizing the time devices spend on update preparation, as compatibility validation is completed server-side before the actual update process begins
Data Source
AI summary
A method for an automated upgrade of hardware devices of a specialized network, such as wireless communication devices or automated teller machines, with new software programs is described. The upgrade is performed over the network and is controlled by a control center of the network. The control center has an access to a software program repository for storing new programs. The automated upgrade is performed by selecting suitable new software programs from the repository, each of the programs being associated with a validity time window and a threshold hardware profile, performing corresponding checks of upgrade time windows and hardware profiles of the hardware devices being upgraded, and downloading the new software programs to the memory medium of the hardware devices being upgraded.