Title of Invention	METHOD FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF SOFTWARE AND CONFIGURATION DATA, AND CORRESPONDING DATA NETWORK
Abstract	The aim of the invention is to improve the distribution of software and configuration data in data networks comprising a lot of users regarding bandwidth utilization and expenses. Said aim is achieved by subdividing the software or data that is to be distributed into data blocks (A, B, C) and sending the same to several users (T1, T2, T3). The users (T2, T3) form ad hoc networks or P2P connections among themselves. Said connections allow the data blocks (B, C) to be exchanged randomly. A majority of the data can thus be distributed via ad hoc networks without loading the data network.

Title of Invention

METHOD FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF SOFTWARE AND CONFIGURATION DATA, AND CORRESPONDING DATA NETWORK

Abstract

The aim of the invention is to improve the distribution of software and configuration data in data networks comprising a lot of users regarding bandwidth utilization and expenses. Said aim is achieved by subdividing the software or data that is to be distributed into data blocks (A, B, C) and sending the same to several users (T1, T2, T3). The users (T2, T3) form ad hoc networks or P2P connections among themselves. Said connections allow the data blocks (B, C) to be exchanged randomly. A majority of the data can thus be distributed via ad hoc networks without loading the data network.

Full Text	Description The present invention relates to a method for distribution of software and/or configuration data in a data network with a number of users who have ad hoc-networking capabilities. In addition the present invention relates to a corresponding data network with users who have ad-hoc networking capabilities and a central device for distribution of the software or configuration data. Software administration plays a central role for any mobile radio network provider or network operator. With several million users the providers or operators are confronted with an enormous problem: The changing and updating of configurations is to be able to be undertaken at all terminals simultaneously or within a clearly defined time frame. While the standards bodies concentrate on how the updating and modification of the configuration code is to be managed on the network side and on terminal side, the process to be employed by network providers and operators for handling the multiplicity of triggers and connections for updates and changes has basically been left open. "Efficient mobile access to Internet data via wireless peer-to-peer network", Pervasive Computing and Communications, 2004, Proceedings of the second IEEE Annual Conference on March 14-17, 2004, XP-A-10689683, describes a network structure in which game programs, MP3 files or movie clips for example are transmitted in Internet files or files by content providers via their ISPs and subsequently via 3G connections to the mobile terminals. In this case the respective file is divided up into part files and each of the part files is transmitted to an assigned mobile terminal. Furthermore the mobile terminals are constructed so that they can transfer the remaining subfiles via an ad-hoc network in each case. To this end servers are provided between the Internet and the ad-hoc network in which the distribution of the subfiles in the ad-hoc network is controlled. In WO-A-02/052787 a device and a method for a transmission of a message broken down into n segments and the re-assembly of the message from one device to another device over a network is described. In this case the n segments are assigned n identifiers, with each segment being transmitted along with its assigned identifier to the other device. The message is assembled with the aid of the n identifiers. The object of the present invention is thus to provide a method with which an update or change of the configurations of a plurality of terminals can be undertaken more easily. In addition a corresponding data network is to be specified. In accordance with the invention this object is achieved by a method of distributing software and/or configuration data in a data network with a number of users who have ad hoc-networking capabilities by dividing up the software and/or configuration data to be distributed into at least a first and a second data block, creating a list which reflects a complete set of data blocks which is produced during the division, sending the first data block together with the list from a central location to a first of the number of users and the at least second data block together with the list likewise from a central location to a second of the number of users, establishing spontaneous communication between the first and second user and sending the second data block together with the list from the second user to the first user. In addition there is provision according to the invention for a data network with at least one first and one second user who have ad hoc networking capabilities, and a central device for distributing software and/or configuration data, with the software and/or configuration data to be distributed being available in at least one first and one second data block, a list being created in the central device which reflects a complete set of data blocks produced during the division, the first data block together with the list being able to be sent by the central device to the first user and the second data block together with the list to the second user, spontaneous communication being able to be established between the first and second user and the second data block together with the list being able to be sent directly from the second user to the first user. Advantageously this makes it possible for the network providers and operators to no longer have to trigger all devices or users for updating and changing the configurations or software. They merely have to send software or configuration data to a subset of users. This saves energy and bandwidth and thereby money, specifically, by dividing up the configuration data to be transmitted into data blocks, around one third of the distribution costs can be saved compared to a standard P2P (peer-to-peer) software distribution. The second data block can be sent by the second user at the request of the first user. In this case the first user, who is still missing the second data block, is the active part. An especially efficient method of doing this is for the first user to make their request on the basis of the list, which they have obtained from the central location, to the user forming an ad-hoc network with them. The second data block can however also be transmitted automatically by the second user, if they establish communication with the first user or set up the ad-hoc network. This means that in this case the second user is the active part and the first user merely has to decide whether they already have the second data block and discard it if necessary. As soon as one of the number of users has a complete set of data blocks available, their installation or setup can be started. The user can establish on the basis of the list transferred by the central location whether the set of data blocks is complete or not. Spontaneous communication can be established using Bluetooth or WLAN. This allows the process to be based on known standards. The present invention will now be explained in greater detail with reference to the enclosed drawings, which basically reflect an inventive data network. The exemplary embodiment described in greater detail below represents a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The inventive solution is based on a P2P software management distribution principle with part delivery. In this case large volumes of data needed for the updating or changing of the software or configuration are divided up into blocks which are then sent to ..selected" devices. To this end only one data block is sent to a device in each case. In the example of FIG. 1 the operator 0 provides a data set D with which the users T1, T2 and T3 of a mobile radio network are to be newly configured. In this case the data of the data set D is subdivided into blocks A, B and C. Furthermore the data set D possesses a list L which contains a script about all the data blocks A, B and C to be received by the users. Operator 0 now sends the individual data blocks A, B and C via send stations S1 and S2 to the users T1, T2 and T3. Data is also sent to user T5 from send station S1. In the actual example the send station S1 sends a data block A including the list L to the user T1. Furthermore the send station S1 sends a data block B including list L to a user T2. The other send station S2 sends a data block C including list L to a user T3. The restriction to a few users and send stations is based on a purely arbitrary selection. Basically any number of send stations and users can be selected. In addition the send station S1 also transmits to a user T5 the data block B including list L. Using spontaneous communication the user T1 also forwards the data block A with list L received from the send station S1 to user T4. In this way the data can not only be transported onwards via the send stations S1 and S2, but also, in a similar manner to the virus dissemination principle, between the users themselves. Since the users who have received new data also received a list providing information about all the necessary data blocks, the users also know which data blocks they still do not have. In order however not to occupy the data network unnecessarily with the forwarding of configuration data, an additional dissemination mechanism is provided in accordance with the invention. If namely a user moves towards another user (in the example shown in the figure user T3 is moving towards user T2) the two users, if they are at an appropriate distance from each other, can establish an ad-hoc-network or a P2P connection via Bluetooth or WLAN. The configuration data blocks can then be exchanged via this communication connection. In the case shown here user T2 sends data block B to user T3 and user T3 sends data block C to user T2. This is done either by user T3 issuing data block C automatically if a P2P connection is established to another user. In the same way user T2 could automatically issue data block B if this P2P connection is established to another user. Alternately each user can make use of the list L since they know from this list the data blocks which they do not yet have for a complete set of configuration data. In the present example this would mean user T2 asking user T3 whether they have data block A or C available. Since user T3 possesses data block C, they send data block C to user T2. The same applies to the transmission of data block B from user T2 to user T3. Finally the two users T2 and T3 each have the two data blocks B and C. It is then only necessary to wait until one of the two users T2 and T3 is in contact with user T1 or T4 for example, so that they can obtain the remaining data block A. This viral dissemination of data blocks for configuration or other software updating means that less of a load is imposed on the data network, so that less bandwidth is necessary for software management. The transmission of the data blocks is guaranteed instead by ad-hoc connections between the terminals. This principle is of especial interest for large volumes of data to be distributed cost-effectively. List of reference symbols A, B, C Data blocks D Data set L List O Operator P2P Peer-to-peer connection S1.S2 Send stations T1,T2, T3, T4, T5 Users We Claim: 1. A method for distributing software and/or configuration data in a data network with a number of users (Tl to T5) who have ad hoc-networking capabilities, comprising the following steps:-dividing the software and/or configuration data to be distributed into at least a first and at least one second data block (B, C), creating of a list (L) which reflects a complete set of data blocks produced during the division of the data, sending the first data block (B) together with the list (L) from a central location (0) to a first (T2) of the number of users and the second data block (C) together with the list (L) likewise from the central location (0) to a second (T3) of the number of users, establishing spontaneous communication (P2P) between the first (T2) and second user (T3) and sending the second data block (C) together with the list (L) from the second user (T3) to the first user (T2) . 2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second data block (C) is being transmitted at the request of the first user (T2). 3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the request is being made on the basis of the list (L). 4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second data block (C) is being sent automatically by the second user (T3) when they establish spontaneous communication (P2P) with the first user (T2). 5. A method as claimed in any of the proceeding claims, wherein the further step of starting an installation or a setup when one of the number of users has a complete set of data blocks (A, B, C) is available to them. 6. A method as claimed in any of the previous claims, wherein the spontaneous communication (P2P) is being set up using Bluetooth or WLAN. 7. A Data network with at least a first (T2) and a second user (T3) who have ad-hoc networking capabilities, and a central device (0) for distributing software and/or configuration data,characterised in that, the software and/or configuration data to be distributed is available in at least a first (B) and a second data block (C), a list (L) is created in the central device which reflects a complete set of data blocks (A, B, C) produced during the division of the data, the first data block (B) is able to be transmitted together with the list (L) from the central device (0) to the first (T2) user and the second data block (C) together with the list (L) to the second user (T3), spontaneous communication (P2P) is able to be established between the first and second user (T2, T3), and the second data block (C) is able to be transmitted together with the list (L) directly from the second user (T3) to the first user (T2). 8. A Data network as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second data block (C)is being able to be transmitted from the second user (T3) to the first user (T2) at the latter's request. 9. A Data network as claimed in claim 8, wherein the list (L) is being able to be evaluated at the request in the first user (T2). 10. A Data network as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second data block (C) is being transmitted automatically by the second user (T3) to the first user (T2) if the two users (T2, T3) establish spontaneous communication (P2P). 11. A Data network as claimed in any of the claims 7 to 10, wherein an installation or a setup is able to be started automatically in one of the users when the user has a complete set of data blocks (A, B, C) available. 12. A Data network as claimed in any of the claims 7 to 11, wherein the spontaneous communication (P2P) between the users is established using Bluetooth or WLAN.

Full Text

Description
The present invention relates to a method for distribution of software and/or configuration data in a data network with a number of users who have ad hoc-networking capabilities. In addition the present invention relates to a corresponding data network with users who have ad-hoc networking capabilities and a central device for distribution of the software or configuration data.
Software administration plays a central role for any mobile radio network provider or network operator. With several million users the providers or operators are confronted with an enormous problem: The changing and updating of configurations is to be able to be undertaken at all terminals simultaneously or within a clearly defined time frame. While the standards bodies concentrate on how the updating and modification of the configuration code is to be managed on the network side and on terminal side, the process to be employed by network providers and operators for handling the multiplicity of triggers and connections for updates and changes has basically been left open.
"Efficient mobile access to Internet data via wireless peer-to-peer network", Pervasive Computing and Communications, 2004, Proceedings of the second IEEE Annual Conference on March 14-17, 2004, XP-A-10689683, describes a network structure in which game programs, MP3 files or movie clips for example are transmitted in Internet files or files by content providers via their ISPs and subsequently via 3G connections to the mobile terminals. In this case the respective file is divided up into part files and each of the part files is transmitted to an assigned mobile terminal. Furthermore the mobile terminals are constructed so that they can transfer the remaining subfiles via an ad-hoc network in each case. To this end servers are provided between the Internet and the ad-hoc network in which the distribution of the subfiles in the ad-hoc network is controlled.

In WO-A-02/052787 a device and a method for a transmission of a message broken down into n segments and the re-assembly of the message from one device to another device over a network is described. In this case the n segments are assigned n identifiers, with each segment being transmitted along with its assigned identifier to the other device. The message is assembled with the aid of the n identifiers.
The object of the present invention is thus to provide a method with which an update or change of the configurations of a plurality of terminals can be undertaken more easily. In addition a corresponding data network is to be specified.
In accordance with the invention this object is achieved by a method of distributing software and/or configuration data in a data network with a number of users who have ad hoc-networking capabilities by dividing up the software and/or configuration data to be distributed into at least a first and a second data block, creating a list which reflects a complete set of data blocks which is produced during the division, sending the first data block together with the list from a central location to a first of the number of users and the at least second data block together with the list likewise from a central location to a second of the number of users, establishing spontaneous communication between the first and second user and sending the second data block together with the list from the second user to the first user.
In addition there is provision according to the invention for a data network with at least one first and one second user who have ad hoc networking capabilities, and a central device for distributing software and/or configuration data, with the software and/or configuration data to be distributed being available in at least one first and one second data block, a list being created in the central device which reflects a complete set of data blocks produced during the division, the first data block together with the list being able to be sent by the central device to the first user and the second data block together with the list to the second user, spontaneous communication being able to be

established between the first and second user and the second data block together with the list being able to be sent directly from the second user to the first user.
Advantageously this makes it possible for the network providers and operators to no longer have to trigger all devices or users for updating and changing the configurations or software. They merely have to send software or configuration data to a subset of users. This saves energy and bandwidth and thereby money, specifically, by dividing up the configuration data to be transmitted into data blocks, around one third of the distribution costs can be saved compared to a standard P2P (peer-to-peer) software distribution.
The second data block can be sent by the second user at the request of the first user. In this case the first user, who is still missing the second data block, is the active part. An especially efficient method of doing this is for the first user to make their request on the basis of the list, which they have obtained from the central location, to the user forming an ad-hoc network with them.
The second data block can however also be transmitted automatically by the second user, if they establish communication with the first user or set up the ad-hoc network. This means that in this case the second user is the active part and the first user merely has to decide whether they already have the second data block and discard it if necessary.
As soon as one of the number of users has a complete set of data blocks available, their installation or setup can be started. The user can establish on the basis of the list transferred by the central location whether the set of data blocks is complete or not.
Spontaneous communication can be established using Bluetooth or WLAN. This allows the process to be based on known standards.
The present invention will now be explained in greater detail with reference to the enclosed drawings, which basically reflect an inventive data network.

The exemplary embodiment described in greater detail below represents a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
The inventive solution is based on a P2P software management distribution principle with part delivery. In this case large volumes of data needed for the updating or changing of the software or configuration are divided up into blocks which are then sent to ..selected" devices. To this end only one data block is sent to a device in each case.
In the example of FIG. 1 the operator 0 provides a data set D with which the users T1, T2 and T3 of a mobile radio network are to be newly configured. In this case the data of the data set D is subdivided into blocks A, B and C. Furthermore the data set D possesses a list L which contains a script about all the data blocks A, B and C to be received by the users.
Operator 0 now sends the individual data blocks A, B and C via send stations S1 and S2 to the users T1, T2 and T3. Data is also sent to user T5 from send station S1.
In the actual example the send station S1 sends a data block A including the list L to the user T1. Furthermore the send station S1 sends a data block B including list L to a user T2. The other send station S2 sends a data block C including list L to a user T3. The restriction to a few users and send stations is based on a purely arbitrary selection. Basically any number of send stations and users can be selected.
In addition the send station S1 also transmits to a user T5 the data block B including list L. Using spontaneous communication the user T1 also forwards the data block A with list L received from the send station S1 to user T4. In this way the data can not only be transported onwards via the send stations S1 and S2, but also, in a similar manner to the virus dissemination principle, between the users themselves.

Since the users who have received new data also received a list providing information about all the necessary data blocks, the users also know which data blocks they still do not have. In order however not to occupy the data network unnecessarily with the forwarding of configuration data, an additional dissemination mechanism is provided in accordance with the invention. If namely a user moves towards another user (in the example shown in the figure user T3 is moving towards user T2) the two users, if they are at an appropriate distance from each other, can establish an ad-hoc-network or a P2P connection via Bluetooth or WLAN. The configuration data blocks can then be exchanged via this communication connection. In the case shown here user T2 sends data block B to user T3 and user T3 sends data block C to user T2. This is done either by user T3 issuing data block C automatically if a P2P connection is established to another user. In the same way user T2 could automatically issue data block B if this P2P connection is established to another user.
Alternately each user can make use of the list L since they know from this list the data blocks which they do not yet have for a complete set of configuration data. In the present example this would mean user T2 asking user T3 whether they have data block A or C available. Since user T3 possesses data block C, they send data block C to user T2. The same applies to the transmission of data block B from user T2 to user T3. Finally the two users T2 and T3 each have the two data blocks B and C. It is then only necessary to wait until one of the two users T2 and T3 is in contact with user T1 or T4 for example, so that they can obtain the remaining data block A.
This viral dissemination of data blocks for configuration or other software updating means that less of a load is imposed on the data network, so that less bandwidth is necessary for software management. The transmission of the data blocks is guaranteed instead by ad-hoc connections between the terminals. This principle is of especial interest for large volumes of data to be distributed cost-effectively.

List of reference symbols
A, B, C Data blocks
D Data set
L List
O Operator
P2P Peer-to-peer connection
S1.S2 Send stations
T1,T2, T3, T4, T5 Users

We Claim:
1. A method for distributing software and/or configuration data in a data network with a number of users (Tl to T5) who have ad hoc-networking capabilities, comprising the following steps:-dividing the software and/or configuration data to be distributed into at least a first and at least one second data block (B, C),
creating of a list (L) which reflects a complete set of data blocks produced during the division of the data,
sending the first data block (B) together with the list (L) from a central location (0) to a first (T2) of the number of users and the second data block (C) together with the list (L) likewise from the central location (0) to a second (T3) of the number of users, establishing spontaneous communication (P2P) between the first (T2) and second user (T3) and
sending the second data block (C) together with the list (L) from the second user (T3) to the first user (T2) .
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second data block (C) is being transmitted at the request of the first user (T2).
3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the request is being made on the basis of the list (L).
4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second data block (C) is being sent automatically by the
second user (T3) when they establish spontaneous communication (P2P) with the first user (T2).
5. A method as claimed in any of the proceeding claims,
wherein the further step of starting an installation
or a setup when one of the number of users has a
complete set of data blocks (A, B, C) is available to
them.
6. A method as claimed in any of the previous claims, wherein the spontaneous communication (P2P) is being set up using Bluetooth or WLAN.
7. A Data network with
at least a first (T2) and a second user (T3) who have
ad-hoc networking capabilities, and
a central device (0) for distributing software and/or
configuration data,characterised in that,
the software and/or configuration data to be
distributed is available in at least a first (B) and
a second data block (C),
a list (L) is created in the central device which
reflects a complete set of data blocks (A, B, C)
produced during the division of the data,
the first data block (B) is able to be transmitted
together with the list (L) from the central device
(0) to the first (T2) user and the second data block
(C) together with the list (L) to the second user
(T3),
spontaneous communication (P2P) is able to be
established between the first and second user (T2,
T3), and
the second data block (C) is able to be transmitted
together with the list (L) directly from the second
user (T3) to the first user (T2).
8. A Data network as claimed in claim 7, wherein the
second data block (C)is being able to be transmitted from the second user (T3) to the first user (T2) at the latter's request.
9. A Data network as claimed in claim 8, wherein the list
(L) is being able to be evaluated at the request in the first user (T2).
10. A Data network as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second data block (C) is being transmitted automatically by the second user (T3) to the first user (T2) if the two users (T2, T3) establish spontaneous communication (P2P).
11. A Data network as claimed in any of the claims 7 to
10, wherein an installation or a setup is able to be
started automatically in one of the users when the
user has a complete set of data blocks (A, B, C)
available.
12. A Data network as claimed in any of the claims 7 to
11, wherein the spontaneous communication (P2P) between the users is established using Bluetooth or WLAN.

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Patent Number

263276

Indian Patent Application Number

1693/DELNP/2007

PG Journal Number

43/2014

Publication Date

24-Oct-2014

Grant Date

17-Oct-2014

Date of Filing

02-Mar-2007

Name of Patentee

Siemens Enterprise Communications GmbH & Co.KG

Applicant Address

Hofmannstrasse 51, 81379 MUNCHEN, GERMANY

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	BITTERLICH JEAN -YVEH	KAPELLENFELDSTR. 4,81549,MUNICH,GERMANY

PCT International Classification Number

H04L 12/56

PCT International Application Number

PCT/EP2005/054749

PCT International Filing date

2005-09-22

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	10 2004 047 371.4	2004-09-29	Germany