Patent ID: 6836793
Filing Date: 2004-12-28
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A method of distributing data packets of a new version of system software in a point-to-multipoint system (SYS) from a send unit (SERVER) to a plurality of receive units (DEC), wherein at least part of the receive units (DEC) each include a decoder, and wherein the new version of the system software is an upgrade, update, or modified version of the operating system software of the decoders, characterized in that the following steps are taken one after the other:1. an announce signal, containing information that the system software or part thereof will subsequently be transmitted, is transmitted from the send unit (SERVER) to all receive units (DEC) simultaneously, and 2. the system software or part thereof is transmitted as data packets from the send unit (SERVER) to all receive units (DEC) simultaneously, including to receive units (DEC) which will prevent replacement of system software if the new version of the system software has already replaced the old version, wherein the receive units (DEC) acknowledge only proper reception, and only after receipt of a last data packet belonging to the system software, so transmission of the data packets is not interfered with by acknowledgements, and wherein a receive unit (DEC) which receives less than all data packets of the system software or part thereof must subsequently receive a complete version containing all data packets including those already received, and therefore the send unit (SERVER) will send only complete versions of system software.