Abstract: A non-volatile storage device and consumer product are provided which co-operate to upgrade the software in the consumer product where the consumer product stores predetermined information regarding the consumer product on the storage device. The storage device is transferred to a computer product connected to the Internet. The predetermined information is used to acquire upgrade software from a remote server automatically without the user requiring detailed knowledge of the consumer product. The upgrade software is stored on the storage device, which is then transferred back to the consumer product. The consumer product upgrades the software using the upgrade software.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for upgrading software in a consumer product in an automatic manner, such that a user is not required to possess detailed information about the consumer product, such as consumer product type or model number or installed software version. A non-volatile storage device and consumer product are provided which co-operate to upgrade the software in the consumer product according to the method. The consumer product stores (510) predetermined information regarding the consumer product on the storage device. The storage device is transferred (520) to a computer product connected to the Internet. The predetermined information is used to acquire (535) upgrade software from a remote server automatically without the user requiring detailed knowledge of the consumer product. The upgrade software is stored (540) on the storage device, which is then transferred back (550) to the consumer product. The consumer product upgrades (560) the software using the upgrade software.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for binding a non-volatile storage device (110) with a consumer product (100) suitable for a mass production environment. The non-volatile storage device is provided with a predetermined identifier (105). The predetermined identifier indicates that the non-volatile storage device is to be bound to the consumer product. The consumer product detects insertion of the non-volatile storage device and reads the predetermined identifier. The consumer product then writes predetermined information regarding the consumer product (125) on the storage device, such that the non-volatile storage device and the consumer product are bound. The predetermined identifier may be a file with a predetermined name, or a file comprising a predetermined data sequence. The predetermined information may be detailed information about the consumer product, such as consumer product type or model number or installed software version.