System, method and apparatus for embedded firmware code update

Abstract

A wireless module is provided for wirelessly updating code to any appropriate peripheral device and may allow for wireless communication with the desired peripheral device to update an operating software code. The wireless module has the similar size, shape, and form factor as the current Memory Stick™. In one embodiment, the method of updating code to the wireless module and/or the desired peripheral devices includes providing a fail-safe code to the peripheral device, updating the peripheral device with a new code utilizing the wireless module, and executing a primary code for operation of the peripheral device. Further, the wireless module may be provided to any number of peripheral devices compatible with the Memory Stick™ removable data storage media. The wireless module is removably connected to the desired peripheral device and provides the peripheral device with a fail-safe system, method and apparatus for updating the embedded operational software code without recalling and servicing the peripheral device.

1 - 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . A method for updating code in a wireless communication device (WCD), comprising:
 providing a first operational code to the WED, the first operational code being useful by the WCD for effecting wireless communication;   engaging a module with the WCD, the module including a removable memory medium holding an updated operational code; and   transferring the updated operational code from the module to the WCD, wherein the memory medium includes a NAND FLASH device.   
     
     
         37 . A method for updating code in a wireless communication device (WCD), comprising the acts of:
 providing a first operational code to the WCD, the first operational code being useful by the WCD for effecting wireless communication;   engaging a module with the WCD, the module including a removable memory medium holding an updated operational code; and   transferring the updated operational code from the module to the WCD, wherein the updated operational code is transmitted to the wireless module using at least one format selected from the group consisting of: IS-95B, CDMA 2000 1x, CDMA 1×EV, CDMA ONE, Wideband CDMA, GSM, GPRS, and EDGE.   
     
     
         38 . A method for updating code in a wireless communication device (WCD), comprising the acts of:
 providing a first operational code to the WCD, the first operational code being useful by the WCD for effecting wireless communication;   engaging a module with the WCD, the module including a removable memory medium holding an updated operational code;   transferring the updated operational code from the module to the WCD;   checking the updated operational code for errors; and   only if the updated operational code is verified as error free, using the updated operational code at the WCD in lieu of the first operational code for effecting wireless communication.   
     
     
         39 . A method for updating code in a wireless communication device (WCD), comprising the acts of:
 providing a first operational code to the WCD, the first operational code being useful by the WCD for effecting wireless communication;   engaging a module with the WCD, the module including a removable memory medium holding an updated operational code;   transferring the updated operational code from the module to the WCD; and   storing incidental information related to the updated operational code to a NAND FLASH device in at least one of: the wireless module, and the wireless telephone.   
     
     
         40 . A method for updating code in a wireless communication device (WCD), comprising the acts of:
 providing a first operational code to the WCD, the first operational code being useful by the WCD for effecting wireless communication;   engaging a module with the WCD, the module including a removable memory medium holding an updated operational code;   transferring the updated operational code from the module to the WCD; and   storing both operational codes in the WCD for selective use thereof by the WCD.   
     
     
         41 . A wireless communication device (WCD), comprising:
 means for designating an initial operational code as a primary code to be used for wireless communication;   means for subsequently designating an updated operational code as the primary code and undesignating the initial operational code as the primary code; and   means for undesignating the updated operational code as the primary code and redesignating the initial operational code as the primary code.   
     
     
         42 . The device of  claim 41 , wherein the means for undesignating executes in response to a user selection of a primary code. 
     
     
         43 . The device of  claim 41 , wherein the means for subsequently designating executes only if the updated code is verified to be error-free. 
     
     
         44 . A method for updating code in a wireless communication device (WCD), comprising the acts of
 providing a first operational code to the WCD, the first operational code being error-checked and being useful by the WCD for effecting wireless communication;   engaging a module with the WED, the module including a removable memory medium holding an updated operational code; and   transferring the updated operational code from the module to the WCD.   
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , comprising wirelessly transmitting the updated operational code to the module. 
     
     
         46 . The device of  claim 41 , wherein the updated operational code is received by means of at least one format selected from the group consisting of: IS-95B, CDMA 2000 1x, CDMA 1x EV, CDMA ONE, Wideband CDMA, GSM, GPRS, and EDGE. 
     
     
         47 . The device of  claim 41 , comprising a storage means established by a NAND FLASH device. 
     
     
         48 . The device of  claim 41 , comprising a storage means established by a DRAM device.