WO2004088966A1

WO2004088966A1 - Device for communicating over a telecommunication network, comprising software control means

Info

Publication number: WO2004088966A1
Application number: PCT/FR2004/000476
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luc Vacquie; Jean-Michel Berge
Original assignee: France Telecom
Priority date: 2003-03-26
Filing date: 2004-03-01
Publication date: 2004-10-14
Also published as: FR2853184A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device which is used to communicate over a telecommunication network (6). The inventive device consists of controllable means (21) for exchanging information over said network (6) and a memory element (22) comprising software means which are used to control the aforementioned exchange means (21). The invention is characterised in that it comprises a rewritable memory (24) which is designed to contain other software means for controlling the information exchange means (21). The device (2) is designed to employ the above-mentioned original software control means only when the rewritable memory (24) does not contain other software control means and, when other software control means exist, to employ same.

Description

Communication device on a telecommunication network comprising software control means. The present invention relates to a communication device on a telecommunications network comprising controllable means for exchanging information on this telecommunications network and a memory comprising original software means for controlling these exchange means.

There are many devices today, such as modems connected, on the one hand, to a telecommunications network, such as for example the Internet, and on the other hand to a computing device such as a computer. These modems often include a non-erasable memory containing software means for controlling their information exchange means on the network in the form of software in a non-erasable memory.

These control software means are essentially basic, and are adapted to operate with other software means contained in the associated computing device.

In particular, in the case of evolution of the functionalities and services accessible on the network, the software means of the associated computing device are brought to evolve. In such a case, however, the telecommunications device is associated with a single computer device and cannot use all of the network's functions with another computer device that does not contain the appropriate version of the software control means.

In addition, the modification of the software control means used, in the case, for example, of a compatibility problem due to the use of new software control means requires advanced computer skills.

The object of the present invention is to solve this problem by describing a telecommunications device of simple use and comprising software control means.

To this end, the present invention relates to a communication device on a telecommunications network comprising means controllable for exchanging information on said network and a memory comprising original software means for controlling said exchange means, characterized in that it includes a rewritable memory, adapted to contain other software means for controlling said means for exchanging information, said device being adapted to implement said original software control means only when said rewritable memory does not contain other control software means, and to implement said other software means steering when they exist. According to other characteristics: - it includes means for erasing said rewritable memory controllable by a user;

- Said means for erasing the rewritable memory are adapted to be implemented after a power supply cutoff of the device of a duration greater than a predetermined duration; - Said means for erasing the rewritable memory are adapted to be implemented by manual control;

- said rewritable memory is writable by said information exchange means;

- Said rewritable memory is connected to means of connection with an electronic device, distinct from said information exchange means, in order to be accessible in writing by said electronic device;

- It includes a rewritable backup memory and before each modification of the content of said rewritable memory, the content of the latter is recorded in said backup memory; said erasing means are adapted to replace the content of said rewritable memory with the content of said backup memory and to empty said backup memory;

- It is supplied with electrical energy only through its connection to said telecommunications network; - It includes a rechargeable battery, intended to provide additional power for its operation and connected to said telecommunications network for recharging;

- it is integrated into a pull-out telephone socket; - all the hardware and software means of said communication device are produced in the form of a single component programmed for their implementation.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the appended figure representing an information transmission system implementing a communication device according to the invention.

The system shown comprises a communication device 2 according to the invention, connected for example to a remote server 4, through a telecommunications network 6, such as the public switched PSTN network.

The device 2 is also connected to an electronic device, such as a mobile phone 8, a PDA, a laptop or any other similar electronic device.

In the example described, the communication device 2 and the mobile telephone 8 communicate using the information transmission protocol by BLUETOOTH wireless radio waves.

Advantageously, the device 2 is also connected to a standard telephony device, such as a telephone 10.

The device 2 of the invention comprises means 21 for exchanging information on the telecommunications network 6, formed, for example, of a modem produced in a conventional manner and suitable for data exchanges according to protocols, such as V23 and V34 or V90 protocols.

The device 2 also includes a non-erasable memory 22, containing original software means for controlling the exchange means 21. In the embodiment described, the communication device 2 also comprises a BLUETOOTH communication module 23 comprising , for example, a BLUETOOTH transmitter / receiver, a microcontroller and a flash memory. This module 23 allows the automatic detection of the presence of an electronic device nearby, that is to say at a distance of the order of a few meters, as well as the exchange of information with such a device.

The device 2 of the invention comprises a rewritable memory 24 adapted to receive in particular other software means for controlling the means 21 for exchanging information, and a backup memory rewritable 25, as well as means 26 for automatically erasing rewritable memory 24.

Finally, the communication device 2 being connected to a telephone 10, it includes means 27 for identifying the called device, and means 28 for switching incoming calls, in order to be able to switch an incoming call to the means of exchange 21 or telephone 10.

In the embodiment described, the supply of electrical energy necessary for the operation of the communication device 2 is ensured only by the PSTN network 6 thanks to the potential difference existing between the wires forming the twisted pairs of the PSTN network.

For example, the switched network in France has a potential difference of 48V DC and allows 10mA to be used when the line is hung up and 60mA when the line is hung up.

Thus, the absence of supply means specific to the device 2 and an adequate miniaturization of the components which it comprises, make it possible to obtain a device of lower cost and small footprint.

For example, this device is integrated into a telephone socket comprising a box comprising only the means necessary for communications on the network, secured to a connector for connection to the PSTN 6 network.

Advantageously, this telephone socket is a pull-out socket comprising a male connector and a female connector, so as to be connected to the PSTN network 6, and also to the telephone 10.

When put into operation, the device checks the content of the rewritable memory 24, and if the latter does not contain software control means, the information exchange means 21 are controlled by the original software means control contained in the non-erasable memory 22.

Thus, the user of the telephone 8 has the possibility of transmitting information by BLUETOOTH wireless link intended for the means 23 of the device 2, which information will be retransmitted, for example, to the server 4 by the exchange means 21 controlled by the original software control means contained in the memory 22. Subsequently, the device 2 has the possibility of receiving other software control means and in particular recent versions allowing access to new functionalities.

For example, the rewritable memory 24 is writable by the information exchange means 21 in order to allow the recording of other control software means received from a remote device through the network 6.

In this case, the server 4 is adapted to send a call to the device 2 by addressing it using its subscriber telephone number on the PSTN network 6.

The call identification means 27 identify the incoming call using, for example, a command suffix inserted into the call frame by the server 4 and the call switching means 28 direct this call towards the means 21 for exchanging information. These are adapted to store this information in rewritable memory 24.

As a variant, the device 2 can receive other software control means directly from an electronic device 8 without going through the network 6. In this case, the rewritable memory 24 is write-accessible by means of connection with an electronic device, separate from the information exchange means 21. For example, these connection means are formed by a BLUETOOTH connection with a portable computer or any other suitable electronic device.

When the device 2 is brought to operate, the memory 24 not being empty, the means 21 of exchanges are controlled by the control software means contained in this rewritable memory 24.

Thus, the software control means 22 contained in the non-erasable memory 22, are implemented only when the rewritable memory 24 does not contain other software control means. In the case where the use of the other software control means contained in the rewritable memory 24 is not satisfactory, the user has the possibility of implementing the means 26 for erasing the rewritable memory 24. For example, the implementation of the erasing means 26 requires a power supply interruption to the device 2 for a duration greater than a predetermined duration. In the embodiment described, this supply break is achieved by simply disconnecting the device 2 from the telecommunications network 6.

Of course, the erasing means 26 can also be implemented manually, for example, from the mobile telephone 8 or the telephone 10.

The rewritable memory 24 being thus erased, the information exchange means 21 are again controlled by the original software control means contained in the non-erasable memory 22.

Advantageously, when the device receives new control software means, the previous control software means contained in the rewritable memory 24 are transferred to the backup memory 25, while the new control software means are written in the rewritable memory 24.

In such an embodiment, the erasing means 26 are adapted to replace the content of the rewritable memory 24 with the content of the backup memory 25 and to empty the backup memory 25.

Thus, a user has the possibility, in the event of a malfunction of the device 8 with new control software means, to use again the other control software means previously recorded in the backup memory 25. For this, the user puts implements the means 26 for erasing the rewritable memory 24. This causes the content of the memory 24 to be replaced by the content of the backup memory 25. The previous version of the software control means is thus found in the memory 24 of so that it will be implemented. Simultaneously, the backup memory 25 is emptied.

In the case where the device 2 still has malfunctions, the user has the possibility of implementing the original software control means contained in the non-erasable memory 22, again activating the means 26 for erasing the rewritable memory 24, the content of which is replaced by that of the backup memory 25, emptied beforehand.

Since the rewritable memory 24 is empty, the means 21 for exchanging information are then controlled by the original software control means contained in the non-erasable memory 22.

It therefore appears that the device of the invention makes it possible, in a simple and easy manner, to operate the means for exchanging information with software means for controlling a recent version while retaining the possibility of reverting to previous versions or to the original version of the software control means in a simple manner.

Of course, other embodiments can be envisaged, and, in particular, the device 2 can have its own power supply.

Furthermore, the device 2 may include a rechargeable battery providing additional power necessary for its operation, and recharged only by supplying the PSTN network 6 when on standby.

The means for erasing the rewritable memory can be implemented by direct control means, such as a switch or a push button. ^* In addition, the rewritable and backup memories can form a single memory of which we would address different parts and can contain more than two versions of the software control means.

Finally, the software and hardware means of the device can be produced in the form of a single component programmed for their implementation.

Claims

1. Communication device on a telecommunications network (6) comprising controllable means (21) for exchanging information on said network (6) and a memory (22) comprising original software means for controlling said means of communication. exchange (21), characterized in that it comprises a rewritable memory (24), adapted to contain other software means for controlling said means (21) for exchanging information, said device (2) being adapted for implementing said original control software means only when said rewritable memory (24) does not contain other control software means, and for implementing said other control software means when they exist.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means (26) for erasing said rewritable memory (24) controllable by a user.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said means (26) for erasing the rewritable memory (24) are adapted to be implemented after a power supply cutoff to the device (2) of a longer duration at a predetermined duration.

4. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said erasing means (26) of the rewritable memory (24) are adapted to be implemented by manual control.

5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said rewritable memory (24) is writable by said means (21) for exchanging information.

6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said rewritable memory (24) is connected to means of connection with an electronic device (8), distinct from said means (21) for exchanging information, in order to be accessible in writing by said electronic device (8).

7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a rewritable backup memory (25), and in that before each modification of the content of said memory rewritable (24), the content thereof is recorded in said backup memory (25).

8. Device according to claims 2 and 7 taken together, characterized in that said erasing means (26) are adapted to replace the content of said rewritable memory (24) by the content of said backup memory (25) and empty said backup memory (25).

9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it is supplied with electrical energy only through its connection to said telecommunications network (6).

10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a rechargeable battery, intended to provide additional power for its operation and connected to said telecommunications network (6) for recharging.

11. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it is integrated in a pull-out telephone socket.

12. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that all the hardware and software means of said communication device (2) are produced in the form of a single component programmed for their implementation.