Embedded software update system

Abstract

A method and system for an embedded software update system, which helps manufactures or vendors avoid costly product recall activities in the event their digital products have field software errors (“bugs”) or hardware problems. One aspect of the present invention is directed to an error correction system, which remotely corrects these software errors and minimizes influences of hardware problems. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a software updating system, which is capable of updating software modules in the digital products by use of software patches. The software patch system of the present invention facilitates manufactures' transmitting software patches to the “on-the-fly” digital products to fix software errors and minimize influences of hardware problems. The software patch may also contain new parameters for updating some data area in NVM (Non Volatile Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) memory of a digital product, which is quite useful when service providers or manufactures want to modify some service features or product features.

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         58 . A computer readable medium comprising instructions for updating an embedded software for a digital product, comprising instructions for: 
 executing said embedded software;    determining whether a patch program is available for a section of said embedded software;    directing execution of said embedded software at said section to said patch program if said patch program is available for said section;    directing execution back to a predetermined location of said embedded software after execution of said patch program,    wherein said embedded software is allocated with a plurality of routines adapted to determine whether a patch program is available.    
     
     
         59 . A computer readable medium comprising instructions for updating an embedded software for a digital product, comprising instructions for: 
 executing said embedded software;    determining whether a patch program is available for a section of said embedded software;    directing execution of said embedded software at said section to said patch program if said patch program is available for said section;    directing execution back to a predetermined location of said embedded software after execution of said patch program,    wherein said predetermined location is an end to a program portion that needs to be updated.    
     
     
         60 . The computer readable medium of  claim 59 , further comprising instructions for: 
 receiving a patch program through a communications link;    programming said patch program into said digital product.