Patent ID: 7542757

Claim:
A method of updating software on a satellite signal receiving device, comprising: allocating a satellite channel receivable by said satellite signal receiving device for use as an update channel; preprocessing updated software to be transmitted from a satellite over said allocated satellite channel to enable independent testing by and deployment on said satellite signal receiving device; transmitting an update message to said satellite signal receiving device providing directions for receiving said updated software; and configuring said satellite signal receiving device, upon receipt of said update message, to receive, test, and deploy said updated software, wherein said testing by said satellite signal receiving device comprises at least one consistency check to determine whether said received updated software is valid; wherein said updated software comprises an updated firmware image; and wherein the method further comprises the steps of: storing said updated firmware image in a storage area of said satellite signal receiving device different from a storage area of an original firmware image stored on said satellite signal receiving device; verifying and testing said updated firmware image prior to enabling it for operation; if said verifying and testing step indicates a proper and functioning updated software image, automatically enabling said updated firmware image for operation on said satellite signal receiving device; and if said verifying and testing step indicates an improper or faulty updated software image, automatically enabling said satellite signal receiving device to operate using said original firmware image.