IP Library Patent Application 13298271
Patent Application
App. No. 13/298,271

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR UPGRADING FIRMWARE

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
13/298,271
Abstract

In an embodiment, a firmware upgrading system includes a device having a first memory configured to store a firmware, wherein the firmware includes a set of instructions that control the operation of the device. The system also includes a first processor configured to execute the firmware. The system also includes a first capacitively coupled (CC) communication module configured to enable the device communicate with a device reader, and the device is configured to receive upgraded firmware via the CC communication module. In another embodiment, a non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by a processor of an electronic device, including instructions to receive a selection of a file from a user interface, wherein the file comprises an upgraded firmware for a probe. The medium also includes instructions to send the upgraded firmware from the selected file to the probe via a capacitively coupled (CC) communication link.

Claims (35)

1 . A device firmware upgrading system comprising:

a device comprising:

a first memory configured to store a firmware, wherein the firmware comprises a set of instructions that control the operation of the device,

a first processor configured to execute the firmware, and

a first capacitively coupled (CC) communication module configured to enable the device communicate with a device reader;

wherein the device is configured to receive an upgraded firmware via the CC communication module.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a sensor or a probe.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to store the upgraded firmware in the first memory and execute the upgraded firmware with the first processor.

4 . The system of claim 1 , comprising a device reader, wherein the device reader comprises a second CC communication module that is configured to communicatively couple to the first CC communication module of the device.

5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the device reader is configured to send the upgraded firmware to the device.

6 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the device reader comprises a first computer communication module configured to communicatively couple the device reader to a computer.

7 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the device reader is configured to request and receive information stored in the first memory of the device.

8 . The system of claim 4 , comprising a computer comprising:

a second computer communication module configured to communicatively couple to the first computer communication module of the device reader;

a second memory configured to store the upgraded firmware; and

a second processor configured to instruct the device reader to send the upgraded firmware stored in the second memory to the device.

9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the computer comprises a user interface executed by the second processor and configured allow a user to select the upgraded firmware and the communication interface of the device reader.

10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the user interface is configured to inform the user that the device has received, stored, and executed the upgraded firmware.

11 . A method for probe firmware upgrading comprising:

storing a first firmware in a memory of a probe, wherein the first firmware comprises a first set of instructions to control the operation of the probe;

receiving a second firmware via a capacitively coupled (CC) communication module of the probe, wherein the second firmware comprises a second set of instructions to control the operation of the probe;

storing the second firmware in the memory of the probe.

12 . The method of claim 11 , comprising executing, via a processor of the probe, the first or second firmware stored in the memory of the probe.

13 . The method of claim 11 , comprising

receiving, via the CC communication module of the probe, a query for a version of the first or second firmware stored in the memory of the probe; and

replying to the query, via the CC communication module of the probe, with a response having the version of the first or second firmware stored in the memory of the probe.

14 . The method of claim 11 , comprising receiving instructions, via the CC communication module of the probe, to execute a bootloader portion of the first firmware.

15 . The method of claim 13 , comprising executing, via a processor of the probe, the bootloader portion of the first firmware.

16 . A non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by a processor of an electronic device, comprising:

instructions to receive a selection of a file from a user interface, wherein the file comprises an upgraded firmware for a probe; and

instructions to send the upgraded firmware from the selected file to the probe via a capacitively coupled (CC) communication link.

17 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 16 , comprising instructions to display the user interface, wherein the user interface comprises inputs to enable selection of the file, inputs to enable selection of a communication port coupled to a probe reader, inputs to enable the selection of a socket of a probe reader, or any combination thereof.

18 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 16 , comprising instruction to send instructions to the probe, via the CC communication link, to execute a bootloader portion of a firmware installed on the probe.

19 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 16 , comprising instructions to query the probe, via the CC communication link, to determine a version of a firmware installed on the probe prior to sending the upgraded firmware to the probe.

20 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 16 , comprising instructions to query the probe, via the CC communication link, to determine a version of a firmware installed on the probe after sending the upgraded firmware to the probe.

Assignments (4)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 25, 2014
From: GE THERMOMETRICS, INC.
To: AMPHENOL THERMOMETRICS, INC.
Reel/Frame 032763/0141 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 24, 2014
From: AMPHENOL CORPORATION
To: GE THERMOMETRICS, INC.
Reel/Frame 032745/0924 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 23, 2013
From: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
To: AMPHENOL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 031842/0049 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 17, 2011
From: PAWAR, RAJESH BHIMRAO; JOGDAND, SAURABH ANIL
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Reel/Frame 027248/0014 →