Patent Publication Number: US-2016224330-A1

Title: Method and system for synchronously updating programs of intelligent apparatuses

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates to a updating method and system thereof, and more particularly relates to a method and system for synchronously updating the programs of intelligent apparatuses. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     Network services may be provided by wireless connection without the network cables and thus many users gradually employ the wireless connection to access the network services. Moreover, with the rapid development of wireless network, the transmission rate provided by the wireless network becomes increasingly faster. Thus, many intelligent apparatuses, e.g. IP cameras and digital still cameras, or mobile devices, are capable of transmitting the data content by way of the wireless network but does not provide wired networking interface for the transmission. However, if a plurality of new intelligent apparatuses need to update and configure the programs simultaneously, it is merely performs a point-to-point operation of intelligent apparatuses wherein the server provides the program updating procedure for one intelligent apparatus at one time, which results in the inconvenience of the program updating procedure when the intelligent apparatuses are manufactured or maintained. Consequently, there is a need to develop a novel method and system to solve the problems of updating program of the intelligent apparatuses. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One objective of the present invention is to provide a method and system for synchronously updating the programs of intelligent apparatuses wherein a host unit activates a rapid update device mechanism for synchronously and rapidly updating the programs of intelligent apparatuses to simplify the program configuration of the intelligent apparatuses and improve the manufacturing efficiency of the intelligent apparatuses. 
     According to the above objectives, a first embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method and system for synchronously updating the programs of intelligent apparatuses. The method for synchronously updating the programs of a plurality of intelligent apparatuses, comprising the steps of: activating a rapid update device mechanism by way of a host unit wherein the rapid update device mechanism comprises a service set identifier (SSID); searching the SSID of the host unit by way of the first intelligent apparatuses wherein device information of each first intelligent apparatus is returned to the host unit when each first intelligent apparatus detects the SSID; transmitting a connection configuration information to at least one first intelligent apparatus by way of the host unit for establishing communication connection between the at least one first intelligent apparatus and server wherein at least one updating program is stored in the server; sending a updating instruction to the at least one first intelligent apparatus to notify the at least one first intelligent apparatus of a program updated procedure by way of the host unit; and downloading the updating program from the server based on the updating instruction of the host unit by way of the at least one first intelligent apparatus. 
     In one embodiment, the connection configuration information is compatible to Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) protocol which is established by a wireless network access point or a router. 
     In one embodiment, before the step of activating the rapid update device mechanism by way of the host unit, the method further comprises a step of assigning one of the first intelligent apparatuses as the host unit by way of a mobile device. 
     In one embodiment, after the step of sending the updating instruction to the at least one first intelligent apparatus to notify the at least one first intelligent apparatus of the program updated procedure by way of the host unit, the method further comprises a step of logging in the server and sending a download request to the server based on the connection configuration information by way of the at least one first intelligent apparatus. 
     In one embodiment, after the step of downloading the updating program from the server based on the updating instruction of the host unit, the method further comprises a step of returning a updating complete message of the at least one updating program to host unit by way of the at least one first intelligent apparatus. 
     In one embodiment, after the step of downloading the updating program from the server based on the updating instruction of the host unit, the method further comprises a step of detecting a updating complete message of the at least one updating program by way of the host unit wherein the at least one first intelligent apparatus broadcasts the updating complete message initially. 
     In one embodiment, after the step of activating the rapid update device mechanism by way of the host unit, the method further comprises a step of scanning the first intelligent apparatuses for acquiring the device information of the at least one first intelligent apparatus by way of the host unit. 
     In one embodiment, the host unit selects a part of the scanned first intelligent apparatuses. 
     In one embodiment, after the step of sending the updating instruction to the at least one first intelligent apparatus to notify the at least one first intelligent apparatus of the program updated procedure by way of the host unit, the method further comprises a step of logging in the server and sending a download request to the server based on the connection configuration information by way of the part of the scanned first intelligent apparatuses. 
     In one embodiment, after the step of downloading the updating program from the server based on the updating instruction of the host unit, the method further comprises a step of returning a updating complete message of the at least one updating program to the host unit by way of the part of the scanned first intelligent apparatuses. 
     In one embodiment, after the step of downloading the updating program from the server based on the updating instruction of the host unit, the method further comprises a step of detecting a plurality of updating complete messages of the at least one updating program by way of the host unit wherein the part of the scanned first intelligent apparatuses broadcast the updating complete messages initially. 
     In the present invention, the system for synchronously updating the programs of a plurality of intelligent apparatuses comprises a host unit, for activating a rapid update device mechanism wherein the rapid update device mechanism comprises a service set identifier (SSID); the first intelligent apparatuses, for searching the SSID of the host unit wherein device information of each first intelligent apparatus is returned to the host unit when each first intelligent apparatus detects the SSID, and the host unit transmits a connection configuration information to at least one first intelligent apparatus; and a server, for storing at least one updating program wherein the host unit establishes a communication connection between the at least one first intelligent apparatus and the server; wherein the host unit sends a updating instruction to the at least one first intelligent apparatus to notify the at least one first intelligent apparatus of a program updated procedure, and the at least one first intelligent apparatus downloads the updating program from the server based on the updating instruction of the host unit. 
     In one embodiment, the connection configuration information is compatible to Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) protocol which is established by a wireless network access point or a router. 
     In one embodiment, the host unit is a transmitter with a wireless network function for sending the connection configuration information. 
     In one embodiment, the host unit is one selected from the first intelligent apparatuses and the selected first intelligent apparatus is initialized to be served as a second intelligent apparatus for transferring the connection configuration information. 
     In one embodiment, the system further comprises a mobile device for assigning one of the first intelligent apparatuses as the host unit. 
     In one embodiment, the at least one first intelligent apparatus logs in the server and sends a download request to the server based on the connection configuration information. 
     In one embodiment, the at least one first intelligent apparatus returns a updating complete message of the at least one updating program to host unit. 
     In one embodiment, the host unit detects a updating complete message of the at least one updating program and the at least one first intelligent apparatus broadcasts the updating complete message initially. 
     In one embodiment, the host unit scans the first intelligent apparatuses for acquiring the device information of the at least one first intelligent apparatus. 
     In one embodiment, the host unit selects a part of the scanned first intelligent apparatuses. 
     In one embodiment, the part of the scanned first intelligent apparatuses log in the server and send a download request to the server based on the connection configuration information. 
     In one embodiment, the part of the scanned first intelligent apparatuses return a updating complete message of the at least one updating program to the host unit. 
     In one embodiment, the host unit detects a plurality of updating complete messages of the at least one updating program and the part of the scanned first intelligent apparatuses broadcast the updating complete messages initially. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram of a system for synchronously updating the programs of a plurality of intelligent apparatuses according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram of a system for synchronously updating the programs of the intelligent apparatuses according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic signal flow diagram of synchronously updating the programs of the intelligent apparatuses according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic signal flow diagram of synchronously updating the programs of the intelligent apparatuses according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic flow chart of synchronously updating the programs of the intelligent apparatuses by way of the updating system according to the first embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic flow chart of synchronously updating the programs of the intelligent apparatuses by way of the updating system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , it is a schematic block diagram of a system for synchronously updating the programs of a plurality of intelligent apparatuses according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The system comprises a host unit  100 , a plurality of first intelligent apparatuses  102 , an access point (AP)  104  and a server  106 . The host unit  100  is coupled to the first intelligent apparatuses  102  and the AP  104 . The first intelligent apparatuses  102  are coupled to the AP  104  respectively which is coupled to the server  106 . The server  106  comprises a database  107 . In one embodiment, the host unit  100  is coupled to each first intelligent apparatus  102  and the AP  104  by way of wireless connection. Each first intelligent apparatus  102  is coupled to the AP  104  by the wireless connection. The AP  104  is coupled to the server  106  by way of wired connection or wireless connection. In another embodiment, the host unit  100  is coupled to each first intelligent apparatus  102  by way of wireless connection and is coupled to the AP  104  and the server by way of wired connection respectively. In the system, regardless of each first intelligent apparatus  102  with either wired or wireless connection, each first intelligent apparatus  102  is coupled to the server  106  via the host unit  100  and the AP  104 . In other words, the host unit  100  is capable of selecting one or more first intelligent apparatus  102  at one time and the selected first intelligent apparatuses  102  connect the server  106  via the AP  104  for performing a synchronous program updating procedure to simplify the program configuration of the first intelligent apparatuses  102  and thus improve the manufacturing efficiency of the first intelligent apparatuses  102 . 
     The host unit  100  activates a rapid update device mechanism wherein the rapid update device mechanism comprises a service set identifier (SSID). For example, the host unit  100  transmits the SSID, which is provided to each the first intelligent apparatus  102  for identification, to an arrangement region of the first intelligent apparatuses  102 . Each intelligent apparatus searches the SSID of the host unit  100 . For example, when each the first intelligent apparatus  102  is powered on, it is capable of searching or finding whether the SSID exists on the air. The device information of each intelligent apparatus  102  is returned to the host unit  100  when each intelligent apparatus  102  detects the SSID. The server  106  stores at least one updating program in the database  107  wherein the at least one updating program is selected from one group consisting of updating parameters, software, application programs, drivers and the combination thereof. The host unit  100  transmits a connection configuration information to at least one intelligent apparatus  102  for establishing a communication connection between the at least one intelligent apparatus  102  and the server  106 . In one embodiment, the connection configuration information is compatible to Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) protocol which is established by a wireless network access point  104  or a router (not shown) so that the intelligent apparatus  102  logs in the server  106  after the intelligent apparatus  102  connects the AP  104  of the router. 
     In  FIG. 1 , the host unit  100  sends a updating instruction to the at least one intelligent apparatus  102  to notify the at least one intelligent apparatus  102  of a program updated procedure. In other words, the at least one intelligent apparatus  102  logs in the server  106  based on the connection configuration information and sends a download request to the server  106 . The at least one intelligent apparatus  102  downloads the updating program from the server  106  based on the updating instruction of the host unit  100 . In one embodiment, the at least one intelligent apparatus  102  returns a updating complete message of the at least one updating program to host unit  100  after the intelligent apparatus  102  downloads the updating program completely. In another embodiment, the host unit  100  detects a updating complete message of the at least one updating program and the at least one intelligent apparatus  102  broadcasts the updating complete message initially so that the host unit  100  receives the broadcasted updating complete message from the intelligent apparatus  102 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the host unit  100  is a transmitter  101  with a wireless network function for sending the connection configuration information to intelligent apparatuses  102  wherein the rapid update device mechanism is embedded in the transmitter  101  according to one embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment, the host unit  100  is one selected from the intelligent apparatuses  102  and the selected intelligent apparatus  102  is initialized to be served as a second intelligent apparatus  103  for transferring the connection configuration information to the intelligent apparatuses  102  wherein the rapid update device mechanism is embedded in the second intelligent apparatus  103  which is served with or without the function of access point. 
     Still in another embodiment, when the host unit  100  is coupled to each intelligent apparatuses  102  by wireless connection and the host unit  100  is integrated to the AP  104  so that the integration of host unit  100  and AP  104  is coupled to the server  106  by wired or wireless connection wherein the rapid update device mechanism is embedded in the integration of host unit  100  and AP  104 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , it is a schematic block diagram of a system for synchronously updating the programs of a plurality of intelligent apparatuses according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The system for synchronously updating the programs of a plurality of intelligent apparatuses in  FIG. 2  is similar to that in  FIG. 1 . The difference is that a mobile device  108  assigns one of the intelligent apparatuses  102  as a second intelligent apparatuses  103  of the host unit  100 . In other words, the host unit  100  is composed of the mobile device  108  and the second intelligent apparatuses  103  coupled to the mobile device  108 . In one case, the mobile device  108  is selected from one group consisting of mobile phone, notebook computer and tablet computer, but not limited. For example, the mobile device  108  is portable communication electronic device. 
     Please refer to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  continuously. The host unit  100  scans the intelligent apparatuses  102  for acquiring the device information of the at least one intelligent apparatus  102  wherein the host unit  100  selects a part of the scanned intelligent apparatuses  102  or all the intelligent apparatuses  102 . In this case, the host unit  100  selects the part of the scanned intelligent apparatuses  102 . The part of the scanned intelligent apparatuses then log in the server  106  and send a download request to the server  106  based on the connection configuration information. The part of the scanned intelligent apparatuses  102  return a updating complete message of the at least one updating program to the host unit  100  after the intelligent apparatuses  102  downloads updating programs. The host unit  100  detects a plurality of updating complete messages of the at least one updating program and the part of the scanned intelligent apparatuses  102  broadcast the updating complete messages initially after the intelligent apparatuses  102  downloads updating programs so that the host unit  100  is able to receive the updating complete messages. 
     According to the aforementioned descriptions, the system for synchronously updating the programs of intelligent apparatuses employs a host unit  100  to manipulate a plurality of first intelligent apparatuses  102  to download the updating programs from the server  106  for updating the programs of the first intelligent apparatuses  102  synchronously and rapidly. In other words, the host unit  100  selects multiple first intelligent apparatuses  102  at one time and the selected first intelligent apparatuses  102  connects the server  106  via the AP  104  to synchronously implement program updating procedure for simplifying the program configuration of the intelligent apparatuses  102  and improve the manufacturing efficiency of the intelligent apparatuses  102 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 3  is a schematic signal flow diagram of synchronously updating the programs of the intelligent apparatuses according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the signal flow P 1 , the system assigns an initialized first intelligent apparatus  102  as a second intelligent apparatus  103  of host unit  100 , or assigns a transmitter  101  of host unit  100  as an information transmitting device. In the signal flow P 2 , the host unit  100  activates rapid update device mechanism. In the signal flow P 3 , the first intelligent apparatus  102  searches the SSID corresponding to rapid update device mechanism of the host unit  100 . In the signal flow P 4 , the host unit  100  transmits connection configuration information associated with server  106  to first intelligent apparatus  102 . In the signal flow P 5 , the host unit  100  sends a updating instruction corresponding to rapid update device mechanism to first intelligent apparatus  102 . In the signal flow P 6 , the first intelligent apparatus  102  logs in the server  106  and sends a download request to the server  106  based on the connection configuration information. In the signal flow P 7 , the first intelligent apparatus  102  downloads the updating program based on updating instruction from the server  106 . In the signal flow P 8 , the first intelligent apparatus  102  returns a updating complete message to the host unit  100 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 ,  FIG. 4  is a schematic signal flow diagram of synchronously updating the programs of the intelligent apparatuses according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the signal flow P 1 , the system assigns an initialized first intelligent apparatus  102  as a second intelligent apparatus  103  of host unit  100 , or assigns a transmitter  101  of host unit  100  as an information transmitting device. In the signal flow P 2 , the host unit  100  activates the rapid update device mechanism. In the signal flow P 21 , the host unit  100  scans the first intelligent apparatuses  102  to compute the amount of the first intelligent apparatuses  102 . In the signal flow P 22 , the host unit  100  selects a part of the scanned first intelligent apparatuses  102 . In the signal flow P 3 , the selected first intelligent apparatus  102  searches the SSID corresponding to rapid update device mechanism of the host unit  100 . In the signal flow P 4 , the host unit  100  transmits connection configuration information associated with server  106  to the selected first intelligent apparatus  102 . In the signal flow P 5 , the host unit  100  sends a updating instruction corresponding to rapid update device mechanism to the selected first intelligent apparatus  102 . In the signal flow P 6 , the selected first intelligent apparatus  102  logs in the server  106  and sends a download request to the server  106  based on the connection configuration information. In the signal flow P 7 , the selected first intelligent apparatus  102  downloads the updating program based on updating instruction from the server  106 . In the signal flow P 8 , the selected first intelligent apparatus  102  returns a updating complete message to the host unit  100 . 
     When the rapid update device mechanism is performed and the first intelligent apparatus  102  finds the SSID, the host unit  100  advantageously transmits the connection configuration information and the updating instruction to first intelligent apparatus  102  so that first intelligent apparatuses  102  download the updating programs from the server  106  and return the updating complete message conveniently and rapidly. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 5  is a schematic flow chart of synchronously updating the programs of the intelligent apparatuses by way of the updating system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The method comprises the following steps. 
     In step S 500 , a mobile device  108  assigns one of the first intelligent apparatuses  102  as the host unit  100 . In other words, one of the first intelligent apparatuses  102  or initialized one of first intelligent apparatuses  102  is assigned as the second intelligent apparatus  103  of the host unit  100  wherein first intelligent apparatuses  102  and second intelligent apparatus  103  are the same type or different types of intelligent apparatuses. 
     In step S 502 , the host unit  100  activates a rapid update device mechanism wherein the rapid update device mechanism comprises a service set identifier (SSID). 
     In step S 504 , a plurality of first intelligent apparatuses  102  searches the SSID of the host unit  100  wherein device information of each first intelligent apparatus  102  is returned to the host unit  100  when each first intelligent apparatus  102  detects the SSID. 
     In step S 506 , the host unit  100  transmits a connection configuration information to at least one first intelligent apparatus  102  for establishing communication connection between the at least one first intelligent apparatus  102  and the server  106  wherein at least one updating program is stored in the server  106 . The server  106  stores at least one updating program in the database  107  wherein the at least one updating program is selected from one group consisting of updating parameters, software, application programs, drivers and the combination thereof. The connection configuration information comprises the related information of server  106  and updating programs. 
     In step S 508 , the host unit  100  sends a updating instruction to the at least one first intelligent apparatus  102  to notify the at least one first intelligent apparatus  102  of a program updated procedure wherein the updating instruction is corresponding to updating program. 
     In step S 510 , at least one first intelligent apparatus  102  logs in the server  106  and sends a download request to the server  106  based on the connection configuration information. 
     In step S 512 , the at least one first intelligent apparatus  102  downloads the updating program from the server  106  based on the updating instruction of the host unit  102 . 
     In step S 514 , the at least one first intelligent apparatus  102  returns a updating complete message of the at least one updating program to host unit  100 . 
     When the rapid update device mechanism is performed and the first intelligent apparatus  102  finds the SSID, the host unit  100  advantageously transmits the connection configuration information and the updating instruction to first intelligent apparatus  102  so that first intelligent apparatuses  102  download the updating programs from the server  106  and return the updating complete message. According to the aforementioned descriptions, the method for synchronously updating the programs of intelligent apparatuses employs a host unit  100  to manipulate a plurality of first intelligent apparatuses  102  to download the updating programs from the server  106  for updating the programs of the first intelligent apparatuses  102  to synchronously implement program updating procedure for simplifying the program configuration of the intelligent apparatuses  102  and improve the manufacturing efficiency of the intelligent apparatuses  102 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 6  is a schematic flow chart of synchronously updating the programs of the intelligent apparatuses by way of the updating system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The method comprises the following steps. 
     In step S 600 , a mobile device  108  assigns one of the first intelligent apparatuses  102  as the host unit  100 . In other words, one of the first intelligent apparatuses  102  or initialized one of first intelligent apparatuses  102  is assigned as the second intelligent apparatus  103  of the host unit  100  wherein first intelligent apparatuses  102  and second intelligent apparatus  103  are the same type or different types of intelligent apparatuses. 
     In step S 602 , the host unit  100  activates a rapid update device mechanism wherein the rapid update device mechanism comprises a service set identifier (SSID). 
     In step S 604 , the host unit  100  scans the first intelligent apparatuses  102  for acquiring the device information of the at least one first intelligent apparatus  102 . 
     In step S 606 , the host unit  100  selects a part of the scanned first intelligent apparatuses  102 . 
     In step S 608 , the host unit  100  transmits a connection configuration information to at least one first intelligent apparatus  102  for establishing communication connection between at least one first intelligent apparatus  102  and server  106  wherein at least one updating program is stored in the server  106 . 
     In step S 610 , the host unit  100  sends a updating instruction to the at least one first intelligent apparatus  102  to notify the at least one first intelligent apparatus  102  of a program updated procedure. 
     In step S 612 , at least one first intelligent apparatus  102  logs in the server  106  and sends a download request to the server  106  based on the connection configuration information. 
     In step S 614 , the at least one first intelligent apparatus  102  downloads the updating program from the server  106  based on the updating instruction of the host unit  102 . 
     In step S 616 , the at least one first intelligent apparatus  102  returns a updating complete message of the at least one updating program to host unit  100 . In another embodiment, the host unit  100  detects a updating complete message of the at least one updating program wherein the at least one first intelligent apparatus  102  broadcasts the updating complete message initially. 
     When the rapid update device mechanism is performed and the first intelligent apparatus  102  finds the SSID, the host unit  100  advantageously transmits the connection configuration information and the updating instruction to first intelligent apparatus  102  so that first intelligent apparatuses  102  download the updating programs from the server  106  and return the updating complete message. According to the aforementioned descriptions, the method for synchronously updating the programs of intelligent apparatuses employs a host unit  100  to manipulate a plurality of first intelligent apparatuses  102  to download the updating programs from the server  106  for updating the programs of the first intelligent apparatuses  102  to synchronously implement program updating procedure for simplifying the program configuration of the intelligent apparatuses  102  and improve the manufacturing efficiency of the intelligent apparatuses  102 . 
     As is understood by a person skilled in the art, the foregoing preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrative rather than limiting of the present invention. It is intended that they cover various modifications and similar arrangements be included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, the scope of which should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structure.