Method and apparatus for installing software in mobile communication terminal

Abstract

Disclosed is a method and an apparatus for installing software in a mobile communication terminal. The apparatus for installing software in a mobile communication terminal, includes an external memory having software to be installed, a detector of the mobile communication terminal for, if an external memory is plugged in the mobile communication terminal, detecting a plugging state of the external memory, a memory being embedded in the mobile communication terminal, and a controller of the mobile communication terminal for reading the software to be installed from the external memory and storing the software in the memory if connection with the external memory is detected.

1 . An apparatus for installing software in a mobile communication terminal, the apparatus comprising: 
 an external memory having software to be installed;    a detector of the mobile communication terminal for, if an external memory is plugged in to the mobile communication terminal, detecting a plugging state of the external memory;    a memory being embedded in the mobile communication terminal; and    a controller of the mobile communication terminal for reading the software to be installed from the external memory and storing the software in the memory if connection with the external memory is detected.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a connection module through which the external memory is connected to the mobile communication terminal, the connection module including a general purpose input/output (GPIO) pin.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the memory includes a first memory and a second memory, the first memory in which the software is finally installed, the second memory being used for executing the software to be installed.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 a key input module including a plurality of keys used for inputting data or commands for software installation by a user, and if input of a predetermined key is detected, the key input module providing corresponding key input data to the controller; and    a display module for displaying a state change of the mobile communication terminal according to the software installation.    
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the software to be installed is an application program to be upgraded.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the software to be installed is a boot program to be restored.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first memory is a non-volatile memory.  
   
   
       8 . A method for installing software in a mobile communication terminal using an external memory having the software, the method comprising the steps of: 
 determining if the external memory is plugged in the mobile communication terminal and if software installation is requested; and    if the external memory is plugged in the mobile communication terminal and software installation is requested, reading data from the external memory by a predetermined size and storing the data in a corresponding block of a memory embedded in the mobile communication terminal until all data stored in the external memory are read and stored in the embedded memory.    
   
   
       9 . The method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the software installation includes upgrade of an application program.  
   
   
       10 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising the step of starting rebooting by resetting the mobile communication terminal if the upgrade of the application program is completed.  
   
   
       11 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising the step of displaying an upgrade completion message if the upgrade of the application program is completed.  
   
   
       12 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising the step of previously clearing a corresponding block of the embedded memory in order to upgrade the application program.  
   
   
       13 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising the step of displaying a message reporting that the application program is being upgraded.  
   
   
       14 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising the step of, before data from the external memory are read and stored, displaying a message reporting that battery power is insufficient if the battery power is checked and it is determined that the battery power is insufficient.  
   
   
       15 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising the step of, if data from the external memory starts to be read and stored, displaying a message forbidding a power off while starting to display a progress bar.  
   
   
       16 . The method as claimed in  claim 15 , further comprising the step of, if the upgrade of the application program is completed, displaying an upgrade completion message and stopping display of the progress bar and stopping display of the message forbidding power off.  
   
   
       17 . The method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the software installation includes restoration of a boot program.  
   
   
       18 . The method as claimed in  claim 17 , further comprising the step of, if restoration of a boot program is completed by reading and storing all data from the external memory, displaying a message reporting the restoration of the boot program.  
   
   
       19 . The method as claimed in  claim 17 , further comprising the step of previously clearing a corresponding block of the embedded memory in order to restore the boot program.  
   
   
       20 . The method as claimed in  claim 17 , further comprising the step of displaying a message reporting that the boot program is being restored.  
   
   
       21 . The method as claimed in  claim 17 , further comprising the step of determining if the boot program is found in the external memory according to a detection state of a specific code value from the external memory.