Welding-Type Power Supply With Boot Loader

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power are disclosed. They include a source of welding-type power and at least one welding system peripheral. Each includes a network module that has boot loader software. A network is connected to the two network modules, and the network has connection for updates that is capable of receiving software updates. The network connection for updating may be on a user interface module, disposed inside or outside of a housing of the source of welding-type power and may include an RS232 connection. The network modules may include application software. The peripheral may be a wire feeder, a robot interface, or any other peripheral. A second peripheral, with a network module and boot loader software, may also be connected to the network. The updating can occur when the system is powered up. The software update is obtained from a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, or over the internet.

1 .- 40 . (canceled) 
   
   
       41 . A method of updating software used to control a welding-type system;
 determining if a software update over a network is available;   executing a software update over the network if a software update is available.   
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 41 , further comprising performing the method after the system is powered up. 
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein determining includes determining if at least one of an application software and application data update is available. 
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 41 , further comprising, before determining, connecting to an internet and obtaining the software update over the internet. 
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 41 , further comprising, before determining, connecting to an ethernet connection and obtaining the update over the ethernet connection. 
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 41 , further comprising, after updating executing application software. 
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 41 , further comprising obtaining the software update from a personal computer. 
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 41 , further comprising obtaining the software update from a personal digital assistant. 
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 41 , further comprising obtaining the software update over the internet. 
   
   
       50 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein executing includes obtaining the software update over an internet connection. 
   
   
       51 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein executing includes executing an update of at least one of application software and application data. 
   
   
       52 . An apparatus for updating software used to control a welding-type system;
 means for determining if a software update over a network is available;   means for executing a software update if a software update is available, connected to the means for determining.   
   
   
       53 . The apparatus of  claim 52 , wherein the means for executing includes means for determining after the system is powered up. 
   
   
       54 . The apparatus of  claim 52 , wherein the means for determining includes means for determining when the system boots up. 
   
   
       55 . The apparatus of  claim 52 , wherein the means for determining includes means for determining if at least one of an application software and a data update is available. 
   
   
       56 . The apparatus of  claim 52 , further comprising, means for connecting to an internet, connected to the means for determining. 
   
   
       57 . The apparatus of  claim 52 , further comprising, means for connecting to an ethernet, connected to the means for determining. 
   
   
       58 . The apparatus of  claim 52 , further comprising, means for executing application software, connected to the means for executing a software update. 
   
   
       59 . A software subroutine which forms a subset of software capable of controlling a welding-type power supply and a welding system peripheral, the software subroutine being capable of transmission through an internet connection to overwrite at least a portion of one of the software and data which controls the welding-type power supply and the welding system peripheral upon prompting. 
   
   
       60 . The software subroutine of  claim 59 , where the transmission through a network connection is prompted upon power up. 
   
   
       61 . The software subroutine of  claim 59  which is prompted upon boot up. 
   
   
       62 . The software subroutine of  claim 59  wherein the portion of the software is a software update. 
   
   
       63 . The software subroutine of  claim 59  wherein the portion of the software is application software. 
   
   
       64 . The software subroutine of  claim 59  wherein the portion of the software is application data.