Method for dynamically updating master controllers in a control system
AssigneeAmx LLC
InventorsMark R. Lee, Ronald W. Barber, Charles W. Partridge
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A master controller in a control area network system in a larger control area network may have a plurality of devices coupled thereto. Software and firmware on the master controller may be updated using an FTP server to contact a content provider in order to retrieve upgrades, updates and patches for the software and firmware on the master controller. In addition, a user may user a web browser in order to perform remote updates over the Internet.
Claims13
A method for modifying a master controller in a control area network, wherein the master controller includes software and firmware, the software including a software version identifier, the method comprising:
- creating a communications connection with a content provider;
- selecting a file to be retrieved from the content provider including selecting the file based on the software version identifier;
- retrieving the selected file from the content provider;
- and
- modifying the software or the firmware as a function of the retrieved file.
A method for modifying a master controller in a control area network, wherein the master controller includes software and firmware, the firmware including a firmware version identifier associated with the firmware, the method comprising;
- creating a communications connection with a content provider;
- selecting a file to be retrieved from the content provider including selecting the file as a function of the firmware version identifier;
- retrieving the selected file from the content provider;
- and
- modifying the software or the firmware as a function of the retrieved file.
A method for modifying a master controller in a control area network, wherein the master controller includes software and firmware, comprising:
- creating a communications connection with a content provider;
- selecting a file to be retrieved from the content provider;
- retrieving the selected file from the content provider;
- and
- modifying the software or the firmware as a function of the retrieved file, including utilizing a loadable object manager to perform a modification.
A method for modifying a master controller in a control area network, wherein the master controller includes software and firmware, the firmware including a device manager, an interpreter, a CGI gateway, a message dispatcher, a diagnostics manager, a connection manager, an HTTP server, an FTP server, a configuration manager and an IP port manager, the method comprising:
- creating a communications connection with a content provider;
- selecting a file to be retrieved from the content provider;
- retrieving the selected file from the content provider, and
- modifying the software or the firmware as a function of the retrieved file.
A method for modifying a master controller in a control area network, wherein the master controller includes software and firmware, comprising:
- creating a communications connection with a content provider using the Internet;
- selecting a file to be retrieved from the content provider;
- retrieving the selected file from the content provider;
- and
- modifying the software or the firmware as a function of the retrieved file.
A method for modifying a master controller in a control are a network, wherein the master controller includes software and firmware, comprising:
- creating a communications connection with a content provider including initiating communication with the content provider by the master controller;
- selecting a file to be retrieved from the content provider;
- retrieving the selected file from the content provider;
- and
- modifying the software or the firmware as a function of the retrieved file.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.