(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2004/0210752 A1
`(43) Pub. Date: Oct. 21, 2004
`
`Rao
`
`US 20040210752A1
`
`(54) ELECTRONIC DEVICE SUPPORTING
`MULTIPLE UPDATE AGENTS
`
`(52) us. Cl.
`
`................................................. 713/2, 713/100
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Bindu Rama Rao, Laguna Niguel, CA
`(US)
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Correspondence Address:
`MCANDREWS HELD & MALLOY, LTD
`500 WEST MADISON STREET
`SUITE 3400
`CHICAGO, IL 60661
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/765,817
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jan. 27, 2004
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/446,494, filed on Feb.
`11, 2003.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.7 ..................................................... G06F 9/445
`
`Disclosed herein is a method for updating at least one of
`firmware, software, device components, and device configu-
`ration in an electronic device. The method and apparatus
`may employ at least one update agent or a plurality of update
`agents. An electronic device supporting multiple update
`agents may be adapted to prompt and facilitate an end-user
`to select at least one of the update agents to process update
`information contained in at least one update. The electronic
`device may also be adapted to prompt and facilitate an
`end-user to apply a particular update agent to update at least
`one of firmware, software, device components, device con-
`figuration, device information, and device parameters. The
`electronic device may also be adapted to prompt and facili-
`tate an end-user to select an appropriate update agent from
`a plurality of available update agents based upon some
`information, such as for example, the type of update that the
`update agent is adapted to perform.
`
`
`
`Non-Volatile
`
`Memory
`
`Mobile Handset
`
`Bose Exhibit 1040
`
`Bose v. Koss
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 21, 2004 Sheet 1 0f 4
`
`US 2004/0210752 A1
`
`{105
`
`121 125
`
`Non-Volatile
`Memory
`
`111
`
`Mobile Handset
`
`107
`
`Figure 1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 21, 2004 Sheet 2 0f 4
`
`US 2004/0210752 A1
`
`203
`
`I 2
`
`05
`
`
`
`Determine if more
`
`207
`
`than one UA available
`
`Provide User with
`
`209
`
`Choice of UA
`
`Accept User
`Input and
`Process
`
`21 1
`
`Invoke user-
`
`specifiedf UA
`
`
`
`21 3
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Selectively
`Reboot
`
`21 5
`
`21 7
`
`Figure 2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 21, 2004 Sheet 3 0f 4
`
`US 2004/0210752 A1
`
`303
`
`I 3
`
`05
`
`
`
`Determine Update
`
`Package Type
`
`307
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Determine UA based
`
`309
`
`on Update
`Package Type
`
`31 1
`
`Invoke UA
`
`31 3
`
`Selectively
`Reboot
`
`31 5
`
`31 7
`
`Figure 3
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Oct. 21, 2004 Sheet 4 0f 4
`
`US 2004/0210752 A1
`
`Update
`Agent N Ref
`
`417
`
`405
`
`:-
`
`
`15
`
` 13
`
`Update
`Agent B Ref
`
`Update
`Agent A Ref
`
`Update Agent
`Table
`
`411
`
`Figure 4A
`
`;- 455
`
`UA N
`
`Update
`Agent N Ref
`
`Type for Update
`Agent N
`
`Update Agent Table
`
`UA B
`
`UA A
`
`Update
`Agent B Ref
`
`Type for Update
`Agent B
`
`Update
`Agent A Ref
`
`Type for Update
`Agent A
`
`Figure 4B
`
`

`

`US 2004/0210752 A1
`
`Oct. 21, 2004
`
`ELECTRONIC DEVICE SUPPORTING MULTIPLE
`UPDATE AGENTS
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO OTHER
`APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001] The present application claims the benefit of pri-
`ority of US. Provisional Patent Application having serial
`No. 60/446,494, filed on Feb. 11, 2003, and hereby incor-
`porates herein by reference the complete subject matter
`thereof in its entirety.
`
`[0002] The present application also hereby incorporates
`herein by reference the complete subject matter of PCT
`Application having publication number WO 02/41147 A1,
`and having application number PCT/US01/44034, filed on
`Nov. 19, 2001, in its entirety.
`
`[0003] The present application also hereby incorporates
`herein by reference the complete subject matter of US.
`Provisional Patent Application having serial No. 60/249,
`606, filed Nov. 17, 2000 in its entirety.
`
`FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR
`DEVELOPMENT
`
`[0004]
`
`[Not Applicable]
`
`MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE
`
`[0005]
`
`[Not Applicable]
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0006] Electronic devices (i.e., mobile electronic devices
`having software/firmware), for example, mobile cellular
`phones, personal digital assistants (PDA’s), pagers, MP3
`players, digital cameras, etc. often contain firmware and/or
`application software that are either provided by the manu-
`facturers of the electronic devices, telecommunication car-
`riers, or third parties. These firmware and application soft-
`ware often contain bugs. New versions (updates) of the
`firmware and software are periodically released to fiX the
`bugs, introduce new features, or both.
`
`[0007] Further limitations and disadvantages of conven-
`tional and traditional approaches Will become apparent to
`one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems
`With some aspects of the present invention as set forth in the
`remainder of the present application With reference to the
`drawings appended hereto.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0008] Aspects of the present invention may be found in a
`method of updating at least one of firmware and software in
`an electronic device comprising a plurality of update agents.
`The method may comprise displaying a list of available
`update agents to an end-user. The update agents may be
`associated With at least one update. The method may also
`comprise prompting the end-user to select an update agent,
`invoking the selected update agent based upon information
`corresponding to a particular update, and performing the
`particular update.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0009]
`tion, the method may further comprise rebooting the elec-
`tronic device after update completion.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0010]
`tion, the method may further comprise one of resuming and
`commencing characteristic electronic device operation after
`update completion.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0011]
`tion, the method may further comprise detecting a need to
`update at least one of firmware, software, device compo-
`nents, and device configuration during one of power-up and
`reboot.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0012]
`tion, the method may further comprise displaying a list of
`available updates. The plurality of update agents may each
`be adapted to process particular updates. Prompting an
`end-user to select a particular update agent may correspond
`to prompting an end-user to apply a particular update.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0013]
`tion, the method may further comprise executing an update
`application loader, invoking a boot initialization code, deter-
`mining a list of available update agents and corresponding
`updates, and determining Whether the electronic device
`needs to be updated by evaluating the list of available update
`agents and corresponding updates.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0014]
`tion,
`the method may further comprise determining an
`update agent to invoke from among a plurality of available
`update agents based upon at least one of an update type, a
`name of an update, and a sub-component of a name of an
`update, to update at least one of firmware, software, device
`components, and device configuration of the electronic
`device.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0015]
`tion, the method may further comprise maintaining a table of
`update agents in the electronic device. The table of update
`agents maps update types to corresponding update agents.
`The method may also comprise employing the table of
`update agents to determine an update agent adapted to
`process a particular update, and employing the determined
`update agent to process the particular update.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0016]
`tion, the method may further comprise conducting a security
`check to determine Whether a selected update agent
`is
`permitted to update sections of non-volatile memory asso-
`ciated With a particular update.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0017]
`tion, the method may further comprise selecting at least one
`updatc agcnt adapted to process a plurality of available
`updates, and applying the available updates using the
`selected at least one update agent.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0018]
`tion,
`the method may further comprise maintaining an
`update agent table. The update agent table may comprise at
`least one of names of a plurality of update agents available
`in the electronic device, references to the plurality of update
`agents, and references to locations of the plurality of update
`agents.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0019]
`tion,
`the method may further comprise determining an
`update agent to perform an update, obtaining a reference to
`the update agent by evaluating an update agent table, and
`performing at least one update associated With the update
`agent.
`
`

`

`US 2004/0210752 A1
`
`Oct. 21, 2004
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0020]
`tion, the method may further comprise maintaining a table of
`update agents. The table of update agents may comprise
`entries providing information corresponding to update
`agents and associated updates available in the electronic
`device.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0021]
`tion,
`the method may further comprise maintaining an
`update agent table comprising references to a plurality of
`update agents in the electronic device. The update agent
`table may map at least one of update agent names, update
`agent address locations, type information corresponding to
`updates that particular update agents are adapted to process,
`and availability of particular update agents.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0022]
`tion, type information may further comprise at least one of
`a file extension corresponding to a particular update that an
`update agent is adapted to process and a list of file exten-
`sions corresponding to a plurality of updates that an update
`agent is adapted to process.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0023]
`tion, the electronic device may comprise one of a mobile
`cellular phone handset, a personal digital assistant, a pager,
`an MP3 player, and a digital camera.
`
`[0024] Aspects of the present invention may be found in
`an electronic device comprising a plurality of update agents
`in non-volatile memory. Each of the update agents may be
`adapted to update at least one of firmware, software, device
`configuration, and device components. The electronic
`device may also comprise random access memory, and an
`update application loader.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0025]
`tion, the electronic device may be adapted to display a list
`of available update agents from the plurality of update
`agents in non-volatile memory in the electronic device to an
`end-user, prompt the end-user to select an update agent,
`invoke the selected update agent based upon information
`corresponding to a particular update, and performing the
`particular update.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0026]
`tion, the electronic device may be adapted to reboot after
`update completion.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0027]
`tion, the electronic device may be adapted to one of resume
`and commence characteristic electronic device operation
`after update completion.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0028]
`tion, the electronic device may be adapted to detect a need
`to update at least one of firmware, software, device con-
`figuration, and device components during one of power-up
`and reboot.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0029]
`tion, the electronic device may be adapted to display a list
`of available updates. Each of the plurality of update agents
`may be adapted to process a particular update. An end-user
`may be prompted to select a particular update agent. Select-
`ing a particular update agent may correspond to selecting a
`particular update.
`
`update application loader during one of power-up and
`reboot, invoke a boot initialization code, determine a list of
`available update agents and corresponding updates, and
`determine whether the electronic device needs to be updated
`by evaluating the list of available update agents and corre-
`sponding updates.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0031]
`tion, the electronic device may be adapted to determine an
`update agent to invoke from among a plurality of available
`update agents based upon at least one of an update type, a
`name of an update, and a sub-component of a name of an
`update, to update at least one of firmware, software, device
`components, and device configuration of the electronic
`device.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0032]
`tion, the electronic device may be adapted to maintain a
`table of update agents in the electronic device. The table of
`update agents may map update types to corresponding
`update agents. The electronic device may also be adapted to
`employ the table of update agents to determine an update
`agent adapted to process a particular update and to employ
`the determined update agent to process the particular update.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0033]
`tion,
`the electronic device may be adapted to conduct a
`security check to determine whether a selected update agent
`is permitted to update sections of non-volatile memory
`associated with a particular update.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0034]
`tion, the electronic device may be adapted to determine an
`update agent adapted to process a plurality of available
`updates and apply the available updates.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0035]
`tion, the electronic device may be adapted to maintain an
`update agent table. The update agent table may comprise at
`least one of names of a plurality of update agents available
`in the electronic device, references to the plurality of update
`agents, and references to locations of the plurality of update
`agents.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0036]
`tion, the electronic device may be adapted to determine an
`update agent to perform an update, obtain a reference to the
`update agent by evaluating an update agent table, invoke the
`update agent, and perform at least one update associated
`with the update agent.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0037]
`tion, the electronic device may be adapted to maintain a
`table of update agents. The table of update agents may
`comprise entries providing information corresponding to
`update agents and associated updates available in the elec-
`tronic device.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0038]
`tion, the electronic device may be adapted to maintain an
`update agent table comprising references to a plurality of
`update agents in the electronic device. The update agent
`table may map at least one of update agent names, update
`agcnt addrcss locations, type information corresponding to
`updates that particular update agents are adapted to process,
`and availability of particular update agents.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0030]
`tion, the electronic device may be adapted to execute an
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0039]
`tion, type information may further comprise at least one of
`
`

`

`US 2004/0210752 A1
`
`Oct. 21, 2004
`
`a file extension corresponding to a particular update that an
`update agent is adapted to process and a list of file exten-
`sions corresponding to a plurality of updates that an update
`agent is adapted to process.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0040]
`tion, the electronic device may comprise one of a mobile
`cellular phone handset, a personal digital assistant, a pager,
`an MP3 player, and a digital camera.
`
`[0041] Aspects of the present invention may be found in a
`mobile electronic device comprising an update application
`loader and a boot initialization code. The update application
`loader may be adapted to be executed at one of startup and
`reboot. The update application loader may also be adapted to
`invoke the boot initialization code, determine whether the
`mobile electronic device needs to be updated, locate an
`update agent, and invoke the located update agent to update
`at least one of firmware and software in the mobile elec-
`tronic device.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0042]
`tion, the located update agent may be an application. The
`update application loader may invoke the located update
`agent after determining that at least one of firmware and
`software needs to be updated.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0043]
`tion, the update application loader may be adapted to invoke
`a located update agent and be updated by the located update
`agent.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0044]
`tion, performing an update may comprise installing a second
`update agent. The mobile electronic device may be adapted
`to invoke a first update agent to perform the update installing
`the second update agent in the mobile electronic device.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0045]
`tion, the update application loader may be adapted to be
`updated to a new version by invoking an update agent to
`update the update application loader.
`
`[0046] Aspects of the present invention may be found in a
`mobile electronic device comprising a boot initialization
`code and an update application loader. The mobile electronic
`device, during at least one of reboot and power up, may be
`adapted to execute the boot initialization code. The update
`application loader may also be adapted to determine whether
`the mobile electronic device needs to be updated. The update
`application loader may be adapted to employ at least one of
`a plurality of update agents, each of the update agents
`comprising at least one associated update. The update appli-
`cation loader may also be adapted to determine an update
`agent to perform the at least one associated update and select
`the update agent from among the plurality of available
`update agents.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0047]
`tion, the update application loader may be adapted to select
`at least one of the plurality of available update agents based
`upon at least one of a type of update the update agent is
`adapted to perform and a particular characteristic associated
`with a particular update.
`
`[0048] These and various other advantages and features of
`novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out
`with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and that form
`a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the
`
`invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use,
`reference should be made to the drawings which form a
`further part hereof, and to accompanying descriptive matter,
`in which there are
`illustrated and described specific
`examples of an apparatus in accordance with the invention.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0049] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic
`device capable of employing at least one of several available
`update agents to update at least one of software and firmware
`according to an embodiment of the present invention;
`
`[0050] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary
`operation of the electronic device according to an embodi-
`ment of the present invention;
`
`[0051] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary
`operation of the electronic device according to an embodi—
`ment of the present invention;
`
`[0052] FIG. 4A is a block diagram illustrating an exem-
`plary update agent table located in non-volatile memory of
`an electronic device according to an embodiment of the
`present invention; and
`
`[0053] FIG. 4B is a block diagram illustrating an exem-
`plary update agent table located in a non-volatile memory of
`an electronic device according to an embodiment of the
`present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0054] FIG. 1 is a block diagram 105 illustrating an
`electronic device capable of employing at
`least one of
`several available update agents to update at least one of
`software and firmware according to an embodiment of the
`present invention. An electronic device may be for example,
`a mobile electronic device having software/firmware, such
`as, mobile cellular phone handsets, personal digital assis-
`tants (PDA’s), pagers, MP3 players, digital cameras, etc.
`
`[0055] An electronic device, for example mobile handset
`107, may be capable of employing one of several available
`update agents to update at least one of software and firmware
`in the mobile handset 107. An update agent may be a device
`or software application that is capable of updating firmware,
`an operating system, or other application software, etc. An
`update agent may also be adapted to interact with one or
`more memory devices. The electronic device may comprise
`random access memory (RAM) 125 and non-volatile
`memory 111. The non-volatile memory 111 may comprise a
`plurality of software components, such as for example,
`update application loader 127, update agent A 113, update
`agent B 115, firmware 117, operating system (OS) software
`119, and other components 121.
`
`[0056] The electronic device may be capable of employing
`an update agent to update firmware 117, OS software 119, or
`other components 121. The electronic device may employ
`more than one update agent, if necessary. The electronic
`device may be capable of displaying a list of available
`update agents to an end-user to solicit or prompt the end-user
`to select a specific update. An update may comprise firm-
`ware/software updates that modify or change the version of
`a particular firmware/software, for example, upgrading to a
`newer version. An update may also add new services to the
`electronic device or delete services, as desired by the service
`
`

`

`US 2004/0210752 A1
`
`Oct. 21, 2004
`
`provider or an end-user. The electronic device may be
`capable of invoking an appropriate update agent based upon
`the update content or characteristics. The electronic device
`may also be capable of rebooting the electronic device, after
`update completion, as necessary.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0057]
`tion, the electronic device may detect the need to update at
`least one of firmware and software during power up or
`reboot. The electronic device may also display a list of
`available update agents to the end-user. Each of the update
`agents may correspond to a list of available updates or a
`single update. The electronic device may prompt the end-
`user to select at least one of the update agents/updates for
`update processing.
`
`[0058] During power-up or reboot, the electronic device
`may execute update application loader 127. Update appli-
`cation loader 127 may invoke boot initialization code before
`determining whether the electronic device needs to be
`updated. The update application loader 127 may also deter-
`mine a list of available update agents in the electronic device
`for performing a particular update. For
`the exemplary
`mobile handset 107 of FIG. 1, the list of update agents may
`contain at least a reference to, for example, update agent A
`113 and update agent B 115, and may be displayed to the
`end-user. The end-user may select at least one of the update
`agents displayed. The selected update agent may be
`employed to update at least one of firmware, software, and
`device components or configuration in the electronic device.
`The update application loader 127 may also invoke the
`selected update agent, such as for example, update agent A
`113, and transfer control to the selected update agent.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0059]
`tion, during power-up or reboot, the electronic device may
`execute the update application loader 127 after invoking the
`boot initialization code. The update application loader 127
`may determine the appropriate update agent to invoke from
`among a plurality of available update agents, such as, for
`example, update agent A 113 and update agent B 115, based
`upon the type of update selected or displayed for selection,
`or based upon the particular characteristics of the update
`selected or displayed for selection. The name of the update,
`or a sub-component of the name of the update, may provide
`sufficient information and be used by update application
`loader 127 to determine at
`least one of a plurality of
`available update agents which may be invoked to update at
`least one of firmware, software, and configuration, etc. of the
`electronic device.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0060]
`tion, update agent A 113 for example, may be employed to
`update firmware 117 and operating system 119. The device
`may be rebooted, after update completion. Update agent B
`115, for example, may be used to update other components
`121, such as for example, configuration parameters, gaming
`engines, third-party software, etc. There may not be a need
`to reboot the electronic device after updating these types of
`components.
`
`[0061] FIG. 2 is a flow chart 203 illustrating an exemplary
`method of operating an electronic device, such as,
`for
`example, the mobile handset 107 of FIG. 1, according to an
`embodiment of
`the present
`invention. The
`following
`description of FIG. 2 makes reference to elements illustrated
`in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment wherein an
`
`end-user may be provided an opportunity, or be prompted, to
`select at least one of a plurality of available update agents to
`apply update information by employing at least one avail-
`able update. Processing is initiated 205 when the electronic
`device is rebooted or powered-up and the update application
`loader 127 is executed and invokes the boot initialization
`
`code. The update application loader 127 may also determine
`update necessity.
`
`[0062] The update application loader 127 may then deter-
`mine if more than one update agent is available (block 207)
`and assemble a displayable list of update agent names. The
`displayable list of update agent names may be displayed and
`the end-user may be prompted to select at least one of the
`available update agents to perform an update (block 209).
`The end-user’s selection may be processed to determine and
`accept the update agent selected by the end-user (block 211).
`
`[0063] The selected update agent, such as for example,
`update agent A 113 of FIG. 1, may be invoked (block 213).
`The update agent selected may access one or more updates
`and update at least one of firmware, software, configuration
`parameters, other components 121, etc., in the electronic
`device. The electronic device may be rebooted. For example,
`if the firmware 117 or operating system 119 has been
`updated, a reboot may be determined to be necessary. In an
`embodiment according to the present invention, if the other
`components 121 are updated, such as configuration param-
`eters, third-party software, etc., then reboot of the electronic
`device may be determined to be unnecessary. Update related
`processing ends (block 217) and normal operation of the
`electronic device resumes or commences.
`
`[0064] FIG. 3 is a flow chart 303 illustrating another
`exemplary method of operating an electronic device accord-
`ing to an embodiment of the present invention. The follow-
`ing description of FIG. 3 makes reference to elements
`illustrated in FIG. 1. The electronic device, for example
`mobile handset 107, may select at least one of a plurality of
`available update agents to apply one or more available
`updates. Processing is initiated (block 305) when the elec-
`tronic device is rebooted or powered up, update application
`loader 127 is executed, and boot initialization code deter-
`mines that an update is necessary.
`
`[0065] The update application loader 127 may determine
`if more than one update agent is available and may also
`determine the type of the update to be performed (block
`307). The update application loader 127 may determine
`which of the plurality of available update agents are adapted
`to process and apply the particular update type (block 309).
`In an embodiment according to the present invention, the
`name of the update or portions of the name of the update
`may be employed to determine which of the plurality of
`available update agents may be employed to process the
`update.
`
`In an embodiment according to the present inven-
`[0066]
`tion, a table of update agents may be maintained, wherein
`the table may map update types to corresponding update
`agents. The table may also be used to determine an appro-
`priate one of the multiple update agents adapted to process
`the update.
`
`[0067] A security check may be conducted to determine
`whether the update agent selected is permitted to update
`sections of non-volatile memory associated with a particular
`
`

`

`US 2004/0210752 A1
`
`Oct. 21, 2004
`
`corresponding update (block 311). The selected update agent
`may be invoked, select one or more updates, and apply the
`corresponding updates (block 313). The electronic device
`may be rebooted (block 315). If firmware 117 or operating
`system software 119 has been updated, a reboot may be
`determined to be necessary. In an embodiment according to
`the present invention, however, if other components 121 are
`updated, such as for example, configuration parameters, a
`third-party software, etc. then reboot of the electronic device
`may be determined to be unnecessary. Update related pro-
`cessing ends (block 317) and normal operation of the
`electronic device resumes or commences.
`
`[0068] FIG. 4A is a block diagram 405 illustrating an
`exemplary update agent table 411 located in non-volatile
`memory of an electronic device according to an embodiment
`of the present invention. The following description of FIG.
`4A makes reference to elements illustrated in FIG. 1. The
`update agent table 411 may contain references to a plurality
`of update agents currently available in the electronic device,
`for example mobile handset 107. The update agent table 411
`may also comprise references to the location of a plurality of
`update agents, such as for example, update agentAreference
`413 and update agent B reference 415, for update agents
`such as, update agent A 113 and update agent B 115 of FIG.
`1, located in non-volatile memory 111, respectively. When
`the electronic device determines which update agent should
`be invoked, the electronic device may obtain a reference to
`the selected update agent by employing update agent table
`411, and subsequently invoking the selected update agent.
`When a new update agent is incorporated into the electronic
`device, a new entry may be added to the update agent table
`411. The update agent table 411 may also be managed in
`terms of adding new entries and deleting old entries, etc., for
`example.
`
`[0069] FIG. 4B is a block diagram 455 illustrating another
`exemplary update agent table 461 located in non-volatile
`memory of an electronic device according to an embodiment
`of the present invention. The following description of FIG.
`4B makes reference to elements illustrated in FIG. 1. The
`
`update agent table 461 may contain references to a plurality
`of update agents currently available in the electronic device,
`for example, mobile handset 107. The update agent table 461
`may also maintain mapping between update agent names,
`the update agent corresponding address location (i.e., where
`the update agent is located in non-volatile memory), and the
`type of update(s) that the update agent is adapted to process,
`for all of the available update agents in the electronic device.
`For example, an entry 463 in update agent table 461 may
`provide mapping between the update agent name ‘UAA’, the
`address location ‘Update Agent A ref ’, and the type of
`update(s) the update agent is adapted to process. The type
`information may be provided as ‘file extensions’ in an
`embodiment according to the present
`invention. For
`example, the file extension ‘dup’ may correspond to updates
`generated by an update application generator. An update
`application generator may be adapted to determine appro-
`priate update(s) for an electronic device. The type field in
`each entry in the update agent table 461 may also be a list
`of file extensions that the update agent is adapted to process
`in an embodiment according to the present invention.
`
`[0070] Other structures and schemas are also contem-
`plated for update agent table 461. An update agent table 461
`may map the name of an update agent to the location where
`
`the update agent resides in memory, and also to the type of
`update(s)
`the update agent
`is adapted to process,
`as
`described above. An electronic device supporting multiple
`update agents may prompt and facilitate an end-user in
`selecting at least one update agent for processing a particular
`update(s). The electronic device may also subsequently
`apply an update to at least one of firmware, software, or
`device configuration, etc. in the electronic device The elec-
`tronic device may also prompt and facilitate an end-user in
`selecting an appropriate update agent fr