System And Method For Controlling Updates To Internet-Of-Things Devices

What is this patent about?

’756 is related to the field of software updates, specifically addressing the challenges of updating Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices. Traditional methods often require physical access and direct interaction with each device, which becomes cumbersome as the number of IoT devices increases. The patent aims to streamline this process by enabling remote initiation and control of updates.

The underlying idea behind ’756 is to use a central server as an intermediary to manage software updates for IoT devices. A user interacts with a first device (e.g., a smartphone) to select a second device (e.g., a smart appliance) for an update. The server then queries the second device for its current state, determines if it's safe to update, and, upon user confirmation via the first device, instructs the second device to begin the update process.

The claims of ’756 focus on a computer system comprising a processor, a communications subsystem, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The system receives state information from a device needing an update, determines if the device is ready for the update based on that state, receives an update command from another device, and then sends a command to the device needing the update to begin the update process. Crucially, the device begins updating without requiring any direct user interaction .

In practice, the system allows a user to initiate an update of, say, their smart washing machine from their smartphone, even if they are not physically near the washing machine. The server checks if the washing machine is currently running a cycle before allowing the update to proceed. This prevents interrupting the device's normal operation and ensures a smooth update experience. The smartphone can also display the update progress, providing feedback to the user without needing to check the washing machine directly.

This approach differs from prior solutions that often require users to manually download and install updates on each IoT device, potentially involving specialized hardware or technicians. By automating the process and allowing remote control, ’756 simplifies the update procedure, making it more convenient for users and more scalable for managing large numbers of IoT devices. The state-based readiness check is also a key differentiator, ensuring that updates are only performed when the device is in a suitable condition, minimizing disruptions and potential issues.