US 8,713,559 B2 · System and method for updating firmware

Abstract

A system and method for guiding a user through a procedure for updating firmware on an uninterruptible power supply. In one example, the system includes a computer system and a communication link to connect the computer system to the uninterruptible power supply. The computer system includes a discovery component, which is configured to detect a version of the firmware installed on the uninterruptible power supply and to detect a model type of the uninterruptible power supply. The computer system also includes a firmware update component, a preparation sequence and an instruction component corresponding to the model type of the uninterruptible power supply and the version of the firmware installed on the uninterruptible power supply. The preparation sequence is configured to prepare the uninterruptible power supply for the firmware update component. The instruction component is configured to display instructions that guide the user through the procedure for updating the firmware.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A system for guiding a user through a procedure for updating firmware on an uninterruptible power supply, the system comprising:

a computer system;
and
a communication link to connect the computer system to the uninterruptible power supply, wherein the computer system includes:
a discovery component, configured to detect a version of the firmware installed on the uninterruptible power supply, to detect a model type of the uninterruptible power supply, and to detect configuration management information about equipment connected to the uninterruptible power supply;
a firmware update component associated with the model type of the uninterruptible power supply and the version of the firmware installed on the uninterruptible power supply;
a preparation sequence corresponding to the model type of the uninterruptible power supply and the version of the firmware installed on the uninterruptible power supply, configured to prepare the uninterruptible power supply for the firmware update component;
and
an instruction component configured to display instructions on the computer system corresponding to the preparation sequence and the firmware update component, wherein the instructions explain to the user how to perform the procedure for updating the firmware and describe effects of the firmware update procedure on the equipment connected to the uninterruptible power supply.

5 more elements

A method of guiding a user through a procedure for updating firmware on an uninterruptible power supply, the method comprising:

establishing a connection between the uninterruptible power supply and a computer system;
detecting a model of the uninterruptible power supply connected to the computer system;
determining a version of the firmware installed on the uninterruptible power supply;
initiating a preparation procedure corresponding to the model of the uninterruptible power supply and the version of the firmware currently installed on the uninterruptible power supply comprising:
determining whether equipment is connected to the uninterruptible power supply;
determining effects of the firmware update procedure on the equipment connected to the uninterruptible power supply;
and
alerting the user to the effects of the firmware update procedure on the connected equipment;
initiating a firmware update procedure corresponding to the model of the uninterruptible power supply and the version of the firmware currently installed on the uninterruptible power supply;
and
displaying instructions on the computer system corresponding to the preparation procedure and the firmware update procedure to explain to the user how to perform the procedure corresponding to updating the firmware.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and method for updating firmware

Life of this patent

System and method for updating firmware

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18