WO2002035347A2

WO2002035347A2 - Method for installing software

Info

Publication number: WO2002035347A2
Application number: PCT/DE2001/003755
Authority: WO
Inventors: Markus Dillinger
Original assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2000-10-26
Filing date: 2001-10-01
Publication date: 2002-05-02
Also published as: DE10053214A1; WO2002035347A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for installing software on a number of terminals (1), according to which the software (SW) is downloaded onto the relevant terminal (1) from a server (2) upon receipt of an installation request signal (IA) of a terminal (1) over a network. An individual timing mark (ZM1) assigned to the respective terminal (1) is stored in each of the terminals (1). Said timing mark specifies a time (t3) or a period at/during which the terminal (1) transmits an installation request signal (IA) to the server (2) over the network.

Description

Software installation procedures

The invention relates to a method for installing software on a plurality of terminals, in which the software is downloaded to the relevant terminal from a server after receiving an installation request signal from a terminal via a network. The invention also relates to corresponding methods for operating a terminal and for operating a server.

Modern electronic devices, such as PCs, laptops, mobile phones or PDAs, regularly need new software to keep up with the latest technology. With the increasing spread of larger networks such as the Internet, intranets or other communication networks such as mobile radio networks or fixed telephone networks, such devices are generally already connected or connectable as "terminals" to such networks. It is therefore appropriate to use the software required by these terminals via the respective device Download the network from corresponding servers. The term "server" in the sense of these explanations is not only to be understood as a single server within the network, but possibly also a group of servers or other similar sources, from which it is possible to add software to the connected

Terminals. This software can be, for example, programs required to operate the terminals, but also text files, databases and collections such as virus lists etc. This software can be completely new for the respective terminal, or it can be a modification of existing software such as upgrades or updates.

Such a software installation can be initiated either by the respective terminal or by the server. Various advantages speak for a terminal-initiated installation. A terminal that is addressed directly from an open network by a server runs the risk of unauthorized software being installed on the terminal. In the case of a terminal-initiated installation, on the other hand, the address of the server in question that wants to carry out the installation must usually be stored accordingly within the terminal. Therefore, the terminal will only send installation requests to the server intended for this purpose and will only accept installations from this server.

In addition, for security reasons, many terminals are protected by a so-called "firewall". Usually it is not possible for external devices to install software on such a terminal through the firewall. In this case, this is an installation initiated by the server new software excluded.

An installation of software initiated by the server would also require that the server basically knows all terminals and their location within the network on which the software is to be installed. However, since new terminals can usually be connected to the network every day and there are always changes of location, it is extremely difficult to constantly update a corresponding database on the server. This is particularly true when there are many different terminals on the network that are to be supplied with the appropriate software by the server.

However, problems with the terminal-initiated installation of software over the network arise when the number of terminals increases significantly. Since each terminal itself determines when it wants to install software, bottlenecks on the network or the possibilities of the server concerned to operate the terminals with software can occur very quickly. This problem occurs in particular this is the case if the terminals are mobile radio devices or PDAs that are networked with one another via a mobile radio network such as GSM or UMTS. In this area in particular, the number of terminals is growing disproportionately. These are mass products, and it can be assumed that a billion or more terminals will already be connected to the network in a few years. In this order of magnitude, it can be expected relatively quickly that the capacity limits of the network and the servers concerned will be reached by a software installation initiated by the terminals. In the case of mobile radio networks, this can in particular mean that entire network areas may be blocked by the installation of software and not be available for the main purpose, the transmission of telephone calls and other information.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an alternative method to the prior art, with which software can be installed automatically and as securely and conveniently as possible on any number of terminals without causing a network overload.

This object is achieved by a method according to claim 1 or by corresponding methods for operating a terminal and method for operating a server according to claims 10 and 17.

According to the invention, an individual time stamp is assigned to each of the terminals in the method and stored in the terminal. This time stamp specifies a point in time at which the terminal sends an installation request signal to the server via the network, ie initiates the installation of the software. Alternatively, this time stamp can also specify a period in which the terminal is to send the installation request signal. By specifying the times or periods using the time stamps, a time-coordinated, terminal-initiated software installation via the network is possible, so that the advantages of the terminal-initiated installation can be used and nevertheless an effective control of the times is possible to avoid network overloads. The individual time stamp is preferably assigned to each terminal, taking into account the time stamps assigned to the other terminals, ie care is taken to ensure that, for example, only a very specific number of terminals sends an installation signal to the server at the same time or in the same time period. It is also possible to set priorities for the different terminals.

In a corresponding method for operating a terminal, an individual time stamp assigned to it is stored in the terminal. After this timestamp, i.e. at the specified time or within a certain period, the terminal then transmits the installation

Request signal automatically to the server. For this purpose, the terminal must have a suitable time measuring device, for example a clock, with the aid of which the terminal can determine when the time stamp has been reached or has expired. As a rule, however, all modern terminals, for example PCs, laptops, PDAs or mobile devices, have a corresponding clock anyway.

In a corresponding method for operating a server, each of the terminals is sent a time stamp assigned to the respective terminal by the server, which specifies a time or period of time for the terminal at or in which the terminal sends an installation request signal to the server via the network should. The server automatically ensures that the time stamps are distributed to the terminals in such a way that it is possible to lets the network and server work evenly and overloads are excluded.

In a preferred embodiment of the method, if the terminal is not ready to send when the time stamp expires, it sends the installation request signal as soon as it returns to the ready-to-send state. In this case, readiness to send means that the terminal is able to send the desired signal to the server. A lack of readiness for transmission can exist, for example, when the device is switched off or, for example, when the terminal is already transmitting because the user is currently communicating via the network.

To obtain a time stamp, the terminal preferably sends a time stamp request signal to the server. The server then sends a time stamp back to the corresponding terminal after receiving the time stamp request signal, i.e. the timestamp is also sent on the initiative of the terminal.

The server can preferably send an initiation signal to the terminals if a time stamp and / or software is available for installation for the terminal in question. After receiving this initiation signal, the respective terminal can transmit a time stamp request signal or an installation request signal to the server. The initiation signal can be a special software or timestamp initiation signal or a neutral signal that simply signals that in principle software is available and can either be installed immediately or that timestamps can be picked up for this , The initiation signal can also be, for example, an e-mail or SMS message to the user of the terminal, so that the user starts the entire process sequence himself and causes his terminal to use a time stamp request signal or an installation

a to tr tr Ω P & ⁾ P co t M tsi α Φ rr CD tr

O Φ tsi tr Φ p φ rr Φ tr Φ H- o H- H- "Φ CD 3 P φ m co p

Φ PJ P = rr H- rr PJ Φ I- ^* - H- O DJ Φ Φ Φ co t tr ^• s ii ^*> φ Hi Hi D ⁾ P Φ H- Φ s: a P ⁾ = P DJ Hi P Φ h- ¹ co Hi H- tϊ og H) - • P rr P Φ Hi P Φ> r P φ Hi C0 CQ P Hi Hj to φ P tr w- PJ rr to H tr CD DJ to i- ¹ ^• * PJ Φ Φ co tsi φ φ PJ H- PJ

Φ P a rt LQ H- O Φ P DJ H- o tr O o P H- LQ Φ P H- P P a P Di LQ CO IQ co IX! ΓT Φ P Ξ P H- rr P CQ PJ Φ Hi Φ φ φ φ H o H- Φ rr Φ

<! & Φ CQ Φ rr rr H- rr H- Ω rr Di P Di C ^Q Φ P Hi DJ P tr PN Φ CQ

Φ α ^* , P ^* W- α 1 ^* 1 ^• > • -3 H- 0 Φ CΩ tr £ Φ H- P- φ Φ P ISI CQ PJ Φ CO Di <: H-

H ^* - ^* Φ co rr LQ Φ 0- PJ Φ H- P Hi rr P DJ CQ PPP Φ rr P CD H- φ 0 IQ co co to • P g Φ Hi HJ φ H- Hi C tsi Φ P tsi H - PJ a H- rr g CD Hi P

<JP Φ 3 H Φ φ Φ rr φ Hi Φ Hi PJ ö Φ Φ φ rr Ω 3 o- N DJ Q iu Φ φ ^* - ^* α - 1 H- H- CQ co rr Ω H- I- ^* O H - PP 3 <tr J CQ H- P

H- P i 1 ^* 1 PJ ts PPP rr Φ N tr rr ö CO rr rr PJ PJ 0 H {h- 'Φ ^{^} LQ CQ a Ω 0 ω Hi DJ IQ φ 3 PP tsi 3 0 P 3 CD ^• s H rr Hi ⁾ tr - Hi CQ

The pr H- P ^* H- CQ CQ ^•> 0 = 3 P DJ $. I- ¹ JO Φ? R H- rr P Φ Ω 3 ≤ Φ a tr Φ H Φ et CQ P = Φ N Hh Hi PP 0 Hi i Φ O Φ CD P tr H- φ H-

Di G o. HH Φ H- tr tr H {C ω P = t Hi P ⁾ tr rr Φ P H- P H- P

P PJ P Φ H Φ P DJ Φ Φ i H- Φ tr Φ 0 Ω Φ ≤ Hj N CQ H- ¹ ≤ H- PJ CQ Φ

H co aati -3 H- CD P Hi CD Φ Ω H- H- Hi PJ tr DJ P tr H- Φ CQ I- ^* Φ

Ω t-Q Φ H- P rr Ω rr P tr P CQ φ <J tsi P = Hi DJ co J φ Hi rr CQ

SN ι-- Φ o N H- P Φ DJ P ^J i H- - - CQ X) P Φ Di P tr φ P φ CD - <Φ

P IQ P rr DJ P DJ g rr H- H D- PJ 3 Φ CD P rr φ Φ CQ 0 H- Q rr Φ g 3 h- ^■ er C ^Q 3 s: D. DJ Φ H- LQ P CQ Hi φ rr Di Hi Φ H. PP 0 ι-i rr

Φ cπ g PJ tsi DJ Φ rr o DJ I- ¹ h- 'Cfl Φ Hi tsi 3 Hi Φ Φ DJ Hi P IQ 3 φ * υ SD: tϋ M Φ Φ rr H- H Φ tr ra .- ^* rr tr Ω H φ H- H- ¹ P IQ Ξ P Φ o Φ ⁾

H- W φ tr H- H- ^* - ^* - co PP Φ co H- P Φ tr Φ H- rr O φ Φ PJ rr H CQ Hi

Φ Φ rr Φ P rr O Ό H- H- Φ PP IQ Hi rr rr Φ CD P- Ω - tr rr Φ ra Ω a ii P Ό P H- rr to ^* - ^* - Hi HS> φ 3 O Φ CQ o H- CQ tr Φ tr Φ

Φ H- φ P Φ H- O g φ c H- P H- ^* Φ O H- IQ Φ ti P. φ rr Φ PJ Φ ι-ia Φ H- φ P 3 ≤ P = PP rr P Di φ P φ P H- P tr

Φ PP tr &CD; r H- CQ Φ rr Di H • 0 P ⁾ tr J? T Φ CO DJ H- Di φ - N

0- rr Hi rr rr P ≤ Hi £. φ Φ Di Di P Hi rr Hj Φ Φ P ≤ Hi ≤ to Φ 0 Φ H Φ Φ Φ DJ Hi P H- P rr ≤ M CD H φ Φ 0 to α •

0 g F- PJ cn O H- P Hi tig h- ¹ Φ P Φ CQ tsi <Hi ^* - ^* tr O DJ

<PJ a IQ α Φ CQ IQ φ φ P- ^• s CD tr P H- Φ PP Φ Φ to Ω φ CQ to rr Φ rt Φ Φ H Φ Hi Φ CQ 3 H- P φ Φ Φ P Ω co P £ CD Hi H- φ H tr P rr CQ 0

$. H H- co CQ P ii CQ CO 0 rr DJ H- H- tr H- P ⁾ = CO P Hi P Φ i - Hi

PJ C0 H- CQ rr Di H- 3 - ¹ o 2. D rr H PJ li rr Φ Φ <CD 3 Φ DJ G rr

Hj 0 ^* Ω • -3 IQ rr N Φ H- IQ P DJ φ Φ * Φ PPNPC ^Q Φ rr Hi Hi φ ≤

Φ t tr Φ P PJ Φ ι-i P Hi <H- H- CQ 3 CQ H- "i Hj J tsi φ Hi DJ

M Φ P ^* ^* - ^* H- ti Φ DJ CQ for Φ H- CD Φ 0 = rr IQ H- PH H- ¹ φ G = ι-i

H- φ ag h- ¹ h- 'rr φ r 1—' Φ Hj P Φ h- ¹ Ξ IQ DJ Hi DJ Ω P Φ DJ h- 'H- tr tr to Φ aa H- DJ Hi H- rr < ! CO CD H- h- PP tr LQ Hi P PJ rr φ Φ Φ

HP DJ rr P ^* rr i 0 Di Ω H- Ξ Hi H- PP 3 Ω rr S Hi Hi Hi PJ

G. N a DJ P H- P g DJ φ Hi H- tr Φ CD Φ Di Ω PJ Di N Di H- tr H- C P <tr

Φ P to - "0 13 0 ⁾ tr co IQ Φ H- HS rr H- tr rr tr P Φ POP PJ P Φ N g 3 rr CD P Hi H- Φ CD CD IQ H- tr φ Hi PJ PP tr co rr Hi P

PJ φ CQ <! ?? ^• s; to tr 3 Ω φ Φ H- O Φ H- l- ¹ DJ rr rr Φ tr

H ta 1— 'NP o Φ Φ φ rr o = Φ tr CD φ CD P I- ^* CQ φ P CD Ω DJ P Hi tr o

Φ Φ P Hj ι-i Hi CQ P H- H- r CQ H- • Ö Hi φ tr P D- P φ I— ¹

Hrr DJ H co IQ LQ? <: H- ¹ Φ Φ 3 Φ Ω. Φ H- P - CQ DJ- H- φ g M rr φ H- Φ φ to H- o- Hi tr tr φ N φ H- M Hi Φ P

H- H- H- α ι-i tr CQ tr Hi rr Ω tsi Φ tQ N> H- h- 'P P Φ h DJ CQ rr Φ •

13 Φ 0 P <J rr X) Φ co DJ t Φ PP Φ I- ¹ tQ CQ CQ tr LQ • -3 rr H-

SD σ a φ ~ Φ H- rr Φ H- Φ H- PJ = P- rr φ ≤ H- tsi Φ PJ Φ Φ PJ P w to Ω H- X rr rr P Ω Ω rr Φ Hi Φ P Φ 3 P ti rr CD Φ H-

<tr DJ 1 Φ DJ M g tr tr H ~ Hi H- 1 H- rr 3 rr 0 Hi φ

H- φ p = P H- P Φ P PJ - co IQ PG tfi rr Φ H ¹ - 1 1 n

1 1 P Hi rr J 3 Φ 1 H-

1 1 1 φ 1 1

or implementable in the server. These programs can also be stored on appropriate computer-readable data carriers. The mobile data carriers can in particular also be chip cards or the like. act, which is particularly useful for terminals in the form of mobile devices, such as mobile devices. In this case, the program can also be stored on a data carrier, such as a SIM card, which is already used in the device. In this way, retrofitting of existing terminals is also possible.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached figure using an exemplary embodiment. The features shown below and the features already described above can be essential to the invention not only in the combinations mentioned, but also individually or in other combinations. In addition, it is pointed out that features which are only mentioned in connection with the method for installing software can also be essential to the invention in the methods for operating a terminal and the method for operating a server and vice versa.

The single figure shows schematically the timing of the various signals between a terminal and a server from a first initiation signal of the server to the installation of the software according to a first embodiment of the method. The dashed arrow running from top to bottom represents the time axis t.

At a first time t _x , the server 2 sends an initiation signal IS - here a message that a time stamp ZMj. is to be picked up for the terminal - to the terminal 1. Thereupon the terminal 1 sends a time stamp request signal ZA to the server 2 at a point in time t ₂ , which can follow the reception of the initiation signal at any short distance, which then sends it a first timestamp ZM _X Terminal 1, which stores the time stamp ZMi in a memory and monitors the expiry of the time stamp ZM _X using the clock in Terminal 1. To the by the time stamp Z a _. Finally, given the predetermined time t ₃ , the terminal 1 automatically sends an installation request signal IA to the server 2. If the terminal 1 is switched off at this time or is not ready for other reasons to send the installation request signal IA, for example because the user of the terminal - Here is a mobile device - just on the phone via the mobile network and no other channel is available for Terminal 1, the installation request signal IA is sent after the predetermined time t ₃ as soon as there is a corresponding willingness to send.

On the installation request signal from Terminal 1, the server then sends the software SW to Terminal 1, ie the software is downloaded. Simultaneously with the download of the software SW or immediately following it, a new time stamp ZM _{2 is also sent} from the server 2 to the terminal 1, which specifies when the terminal 1 should come again

Software requests. If it is known when the latest further update or upgrade of the software is available, this can already be transmitted to the terminal with the new time stamp ZM ₂ .

Alternatively, the server 2 can also only send a new time stamp ZM ₂ to the terminal 1, for example because, contrary to expectations, it is not possible to download software at the time t ₃ . Terminal 1 then automatically asks for the time specified by the time stamp ZM ₂ and sends a corresponding installation request signal, ie the terminal receives only a new time for a later download on the installation request signal at time t ₃ .

In an embodiment not shown, the time of the first request by the terminal is already over Factory specified for an initial installation. This is useful, for example, when it comes to upgrading or updating the manufacturer software for the terminal. When manufacturing a terminal, for example a mobile radio device, the manufacturer generally knows when new software is available for its terminals. This expected date of the upgrade is programmed directly into the software of the terminal (1), ie saved as the first time stamp. The date can, for example, be agreed with the network operator beforehand so that different manufacturers do not simultaneously install via the network.

The method according to the invention provides a possibility of easily managing the remote installation of software, even with a large number of terminals avoiding that too many installations have to be carried out simultaneously per unit of time and the network is thus overloaded. The initiation of software installation on the part of the terminals ensures the highest possible level of security. The architecture of the installation software can be set up independently of the number of terminals, so that this method is particularly suitable in areas where the number of terminals can be expected to grow disproportionately.

Claims

claims

1. Method for installing software on a plurality of terminals (1), in which the software (SW) on the terminal in question is received by a server (2) after receiving an installation request signal (IA) from a terminal (1) via a network (1) is downloaded, characterized in that in each of the terminals (1) an individual time stamp (ZMi), which is assigned to the respective terminal (1) and which specifies a time (t ₃ ) or period, is stored on / in which the terminal (1) sends an installation request signal (IA) to the server (2) via the network.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that each terminal (1) is assigned the individual time stamp (ZM _X ) taking into account the time stamps assigned to the other terminals.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a terminal (1), if it is not ready for transmission at / in the time or period specified by the time stamp (ZM _X ), the installation request signal (IA) sends the server (2) as soon as it is ready for transmission.

4. The method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the terminals (1) each transmit a time stamp request signal (ZA) to the server (2) and the server (2) after receipt of the time stamp request signal (ZA) transmits a time stamp (ZM _X ) to the respective terminal (1).

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the server (2) to the terminals (l) sends an initiation signal (IS) when a time stamp (ZMi) and / or software (SW) for installation for the terminal in question ( 1) is ready, and the respective terminal (1) receives a time delay after receiving the initiation signal (IS) to the server (2). ken request signal (ZA) or an installation request signal (IA) transmitted.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the server (2) after receiving an installation request signal (IA) of a terminal (1) the respective terminal (1) a new time stamp assigned to the terminal (1) ( ZM ₂ ) instead of or in addition to the software (SW) to be installed.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a first time stamp is stored on the terminals during an initial software installation, which specifies a point in time or period at which the terminal receives a first installation request signal or time stamp Request signal transmitted to the server.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the terminal (1) is a mobile terminal.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the network is a mobile radio network.

10. Method for operating a terminal (1), in which

Installation of software (SW) on the terminal (1) the terminal (1) automatically transmits an installation request signal to a server (2) for downloading the software (SW) via a network, characterized in that in the terminal (1) an individual time stamp (ZM _X ) assigned to the terminal (1) is stored, which specifies a point in time (t ₃ ) or period at which the terminal ⁽ 1) transmits the installation request signal to the server.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the terminal when it is to / in the by the time ke predetermined time or period is not ready to send, sends the installation request signal to the server as soon as it is in a ready-to-send state.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the terminal (l) to the server (2) for receiving a time stamp (ZM _X ) transmits a time stamp request signal (ZA) and then a time received from the server (2) - brand (ZMi) stores.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the terminal (1) after receiving an initiation signal (IS) from the server (2), which indicates that a time stamp (ZM _X ) and / or software (SW ) for the terminal (l) is ready to transmit the time stamp request signal (ZA) or the installation request signal (IA) to the server (2).

14. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the terminal (1) stores a time stamp (ZM ₂ ) received by the server (2) after transmitting an installation request signal (IA) as a new time stamp.

15. Computer program product with program code means for all steps of a method according to one of claims 10 to

14 run when the program is running on a computer.

16. Computer program product with program code means according to claim 15, which are stored on a computer-readable data carrier.

17. Method for operating a server (2), in which the software (SW) is used to install software on a plurality of terminals (1) from the server (2) after receiving an installation request signal (IA) from a terminal (1). downloaded to the relevant terminal (l) via a network loading, characterized in that each of the terminals (1) from the server (2) transmits an individual time stamp (ZM) assigned to the respective terminal (1), which specifies a time (t ₃ ) or period at which the terminal (1) is to send an installation request signal (IA) to the server (2) via the network.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that each terminal is assigned the individual time stamp, taking into account the time stamps assigned to the other terminals.

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the server (2) transmits a time stamp (ZM _X ) to the respective terminal (2) after receipt of a time stamp request signal (ZA) from a terminal (1).

20. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that the server (2) after receiving an installation request signal (IA) from a terminal (1) to the respective terminal (1) a new one assigned to the terminal (1) Time stamp (ZM ₂ ) transmitted instead of or in addition to the software to be installed (SW).

21. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that the server (2) sends an initiation signal (IA) to a terminal (1) when a time stamp (Mi) and / or software (SW) for installation for the relevant terminal (1) is ready.

22. Computer program product with program code means to carry out all steps of a method according to one of claims 17 to 21 when the program is executed on a computer.

23. Computer program product with program code means according to claim 22, which are stored on a computer-readable data carrier.