JP2002290854A - Digital television device, its function improving method, program and storage medium therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To upgrade a function without interrupting the watching of a video program nor placing a burden on a user. SOLUTION: It is detected (S1) whether a function improving program is supplied from outside and when the supply of the function improving program is detected, the function improving program is carried out to improve the function of this device (S3). Independently of the performance of the function improving program, display processing for video images to be watched is performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital television apparatus, a function improving method, a program, and a storage medium.
In particular, a digital television apparatus capable of improving its own function by supplying a function improving program from the outside, a function improving method applied to the digital television apparatus, and causing a computer to execute the function improving method And a storage medium storing the program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when an attempt is made to upgrade the functions of a digital television,
A function upgrade process is executed by installing a function upgrade program on the digital television.

[0003]

However, in the above-described function upgrade of the conventional digital television, the user has to temporarily stop viewing the video program and install the function upgrade program. There has been a problem that the user has to perform installation work.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and a digital television apparatus capable of executing a function upgrade without interrupting the viewing of a video program and without imposing a burden on a user. , A function improvement method, a program, and a storage medium.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a function improving program is supplied from the outside to improve the function of the apparatus. In a digital television device, a detecting unit for detecting whether or not the function improvement program is supplied from outside, and executing the function improvement program when the detection unit detects the supply of the function improvement program. Execution means for improving the function of
A display processing unit that performs display processing of the viewing video image independently of execution of the function improvement program by the execution unit.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is further provided a driving device for reading and writing data from and on a recording medium, wherein the detecting means has a storage medium storing the function improvement program inserted into the driving device. , The supply of the function improvement program from the outside is detected, thereby providing a digital television apparatus.

According to the invention described in claim 7, the digital television apparatus further has a front end for receiving a radio wave of digital television broadcast and outputting an encoded image signal, and wherein the detecting means includes: By detecting the presence of a function improvement program in the encoded image signal output from the front end, supply of the function improvement program from outside is detected.

According to the invention, the digital television apparatus further has a digital serial bus, and the detecting means includes a function improving program in the encoded image signal output from the digital serial bus. By detecting the presence of the program, the supply of the function improvement program from outside is detected.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a function improving method applied to a digital television apparatus capable of improving its own function by being supplied with a function improving program from outside. A detection step of detecting whether or not the function improvement program is supplied from outside; and, when the detection step detects the supply of the function improvement program, executing the function improvement program to improve the function of the own device. Execution steps;
A display processing step of performing display processing of a viewing video image independently of execution of the function improvement program by the execution step.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a computer to execute a function improving method for improving a function of a digital television apparatus by using a function improving program supplied from the outside. A detection step of detecting whether or not the function improvement program is supplied from outside; and, when the detection step detects the supply of the function improvement program, executing the function improvement program to execute the digital television. A program is provided, comprising: an execution step of improving a function of an apparatus; and a display processing step of performing display processing of a viewing video image independently of execution of the function improvement program by the execution step. .

Furthermore, according to the invention of claim 23,
In a computer-readable storage medium storing a function improvement method for improving the functions of a digital television apparatus using a function improvement program supplied from the outside as a program, the function improvement method may be such that the function improvement program is externally provided. A detecting step of detecting whether or not the digital television apparatus has been supplied; and, when the detecting step detects the supply of the function improving program, executing the function improving program to improve the function of the digital television apparatus; And a display processing step of performing a display processing of the viewing video image independently of the execution of the function improvement program by the execution step.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital television apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

A display device 1 has a large screen with a high resolution, and displays a multi-window screen. FIG. 2 shows a multi-window screen displayed on the display device 1.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 2 denotes a main screen window;
Reference numerals 5 to 5 are sub-screen windows on which video moving images are displayed. Reference numeral 6 denotes an operation panel display screen, which collectively displays operation buttons corresponding to digital video sources displayed in the windows 2 to 5, respectively. Reference numeral 7 denotes an installation operation display screen that displays an installation execution status when a function upgrade (function improvement) program for improving the functions of the digital television device is installed in the digital television device.

Returning to FIG. 1, reference numeral 8 denotes a control unit, which is displayed on the main screen window 2 and a plurality of sub-screen windows 3 to 5, and on the operation panel display screen 6 and the installation operation display screen 7. Are combined as a multi-window screen when the display device 1 is refreshed.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a work memory and display memory unit,
The encoded data of the MPEG2 video image is temporarily written, used as a work area when a decoding process is executed by the processor unit 12 described later, and further, display data is written again as bitmap data after the decoding process. It is. The controller 8 directly accesses the memory area in which the display data is written in accordance with the window display position timing at the time of refresh access of the display device 1, and the display data is displayed on the display device 1 in a window shape.

Reference numeral 10 denotes an operation panel display memory unit, and an operation panel display screen 6 created by the processor unit 12 described later.
Is stored.

Reference numeral 11 denotes an installation information display memory unit, which stores an installation operation display screen 7 created by a microcomputer unit 13 described later. At the same time, it is used as a work memory of the microcomputer unit 13.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a processor, which is an MP of digital television broadcast input from a front end 14 described later.
EG2 transport stream, MPEG2 transport stream input via the input / output control unit 15 described later, HDD 17 and digital serial bus 18 described later
MPEG2 transport stream input from
It decodes (decodes) various encoded MPEG2 streams such as an MPEG2 program stream input via the input / output control unit 15 and an MPEG2 program stream input from a DVDROM drive unit 16 to be described later. This decoding can be performed simultaneously for a plurality of MPEG2 streams in parallel. Further, the processor unit 12 creates an operation panel display screen 6 necessary for each MPEG2 stream.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a microcomputer unit, which is an MPEG2 input via an input / output control unit 15 described later.
It decodes (decodes) a program stream, an MPEG2 transfer port stream and a program stream input from a DVDROM drive unit 16 to be described later, and an MPEG2 transport stream and program stream input from an HDD 17 and a digital serial bus 18 to be described later. The microcomputer unit 13
Creates the installation operation display screen 7.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a front-end unit which receives an electric wave of a digital television broadcast and outputs an MPEG2 transport stream.

An input / output control unit 15 controls the IDE bus and the digital serial bus 18. IDE
Although not shown, a DVD ROM drive unit 16 and an HDD 17 are connected to the IDE bus.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a DVD ROM drive unit, and M
A DVD containing a PEG2 program stream and a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM containing a control processing program are driven to read information stored therein.

Reference numeral 17 denotes an HDD which records an MPEG2 transport stream / program stream with scrambling.

Reference numeral 18 denotes a digital serial bus, and MP
The transport stream / program stream of EG2 is exchanged with the outside while being scrambled.

The control unit 8 determines whether the refresh operation of the display device 1 is performed on the main screen window 2 or the small screen windows 3 to 5.
The decoded video data is read out from the decoded video area in the work memory and display memory unit 9 in accordance with the timing when the display position is reached, and is sent to the display device 1 so that the main screen window 2 or the small screen window 3 is read. 5 is displayed. This refresh operation is performed in main screen window 2
Alternatively, every time the display positions of the sub-screen windows 3 to 5 are detected, the main screen window 2 or the sub-screen windows 3 to 5
5 is performed on a decoded video area in the work memory / display memory unit 9 which stores video data to be displayed.

The control unit 8 also stores the operation panel graphic data from the graphic display data area in the operation panel display memory unit 10 at the timing when the refresh operation of the display device 1 comes to the display position of the operation panel display screen 6. The data is read out, sent to the display device 1 and displayed on the operation panel display screen 6.

Further, the control unit 8 reads the installation window display data from the installation window display data area in the installation information display memory unit 11 at the timing when the refresh operation of the display device 1 comes to the display position of the installation operation display screen 7. Is read out and sent to the display device 1 to be displayed on the installation operation display screen 7.

A control section for a decoded video area in the work memory and display memory section 9, a graphic display data area in the operation panel display memory section 10, and an installation window display data area in the installation information display memory section 11. The read access for forming a multi-window by the user 8 is performed based on the operation history of the user held by the processor unit 12.

Based on the history of the operation of selecting a screen to be displayed on the main screen window 2 performed by the user, the screen selected last is displayed on the main screen window 2 and the second last selected operation is performed. The selected screen is displayed in the sub-screen window 3, the third last selected screen is displayed in the sub-screen window 4, and the fourth last selected screen is displayed in the sub-screen window 5. . In the child screen windows 3 to 5, the child screen window 3
Is the largest, and the display area of the child screen window 5 is the smallest. The display order of the operation buttons on the operation panel display screen 6 is also determined in the order of the respective screens displayed on the main screen window 2 and the sub screen windows 3 to 5, respectively.

Although the main screen window 2 is the main viewing target, there is a possibility that other child screen windows may be viewed as they are, so the child screen windows 3 to 5 are displayed.
Are displayed so as not to be overlaid on other window screens.

The installation operation display screen 7 is also referred to, although only for reference, so that it is displayed so as not to overlap with another window screen and disappear.

In the digital television apparatus having the above-described configuration, the operation of each unit when the CD-ROM storing the function upgrade program of the digital television is inserted into the DVD ROM drive unit 16 will be described with reference to FIG. explain.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an operation of installing a function upgrade program performed in the digital television apparatus.

First, in step S1, it is determined whether or not the function upgrade program has been supplied to the digital television apparatus from outside. More specifically, the microcomputer unit 13 monitors the DVD-ROM drive unit 16 and stores the function-upgrade program in the CD-ROM.
It is determined whether or not the ROM has been inserted into the DVD ROM drive unit 16. When the microcomputer unit 13 detects that the CD-ROM storing the function upgrade program is inserted into the DVDROM drive unit 16 via the input / output control unit 15 (YES in step S1), the process proceeds to step S2. move on.

In step S2, the microcomputer 13 requests the processor 12 to display the installation operation display screen 7.

The processor unit 12 issues an instruction to the control unit 8, and upon receiving the instruction, the control unit 8 sets the installation information display memory unit at the position of the installation operation display screen 7 during the refresh operation of the display device 1. The installation window display data is read out from the installation window display data area in 11 and sent to the display device 1 to display the installation operation display screen 7.

By this series of operations, when the image data stored in the installation window display data area in the installation information display memory unit 11 is refreshed by the display device 1 to the position of the installation operation display screen 7, The display unit 1 is read directly by the control unit 8 and
Will be displayed directly.

The image data written by the microcomputer unit 13 into the installation information display memory unit 11 is used as it is for refreshing the display device 1. That is,
The display unit 1 has a form in which a display dedicated to the microcomputer unit 13 is incorporated.

The image data written by the microcomputer unit 13 into the installation information display memory unit 11 is read out and displayed by the control unit 8, so that the image data is not transferred in blocks for display. Therefore, the processing capability of the microcomputer unit 13 is not impaired.

Next, in step S3, the microcomputer unit 13 executes the function upgrade program recorded on the CD-ROM by using a part of the non-display area in the installation information display memory unit 11. With the execution of this program, the setup information is copied to the HDD 17, the setup for each device of the digital television apparatus is performed, and the operation program of the digital television is partially changed.

Changes during the function upgrade operation are as follows:
When the refresh operation of the display device 1 reaches the position of the installation operation display screen 7 when the refresh operation of the display device 1 reaches the position of the installation operation display screen 7,
It is read by the control unit 8 and displayed on the installation operation display screen 7 of the display device 1.

The function upgrade operation by the microcomputer unit 13 and the information display on the installation operation display screen 7 are performed completely independently.

The processor section 12 reads and decodes a multi-stream MPEG2 stream,
The video moving image display data is created, and the operation panel display screen 6 is created.

The control unit 8 reads out video moving image data to be displayed on the main screen window 2 and the small screen windows 3 to 5 from the work memory and display memory unit 9 in synchronization with the refresh operation. A process of reading operation panel display data from the unit 10 and a window composition display process performed when the display device 1 is refreshed are performed.

As described above, without interrupting the viewing operation such as viewing digital television broadcasts, playing back video images recorded on the HDD 17, and playing back MPEG2 transport streams from the digital serial bus 18, the function upgrade program can be used. Installation work is performed,
The execution status is displayed on the installation operation display screen 7 of the display device 1.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described.

The configuration of the second embodiment is basically similar to that of the first embodiment.
Since the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, the configuration of the first embodiment will be used in the description of the second embodiment.

In the second embodiment, the program for upgrading the functions of the digital television is provided by the front end 1
It is assumed that it exists inside the MPEG-2 transport stream input from step # 4.

In the flowchart shown in FIG.
In the embodiment, in step S1, the processor unit 12
Monitors the MPEG2 transport stream input from the front end 14, and determines whether or not a function upgrade program exists in the MPEG2 transport stream. When the processor unit 12 detects that the function upgrade program exists in the MPEG2 transport stream (YES in step S1), the microcomputer unit 13 is notified of the existence of the program, and proceeds to step S2.

In step S2, the microcomputer 13 requests the processor 12 to display the installation operation display screen 7. The processor unit 12 sends an instruction to the control unit 8. Upon receiving the instruction, the control unit 8 executes the refresh operation of the display device 1 at the position of the installation operation display screen 7 in the installation information display memory unit 11. The installation window display data stored in the installation window display data area is read out and sent to the display device 1, and the installation operation display screen 7 is displayed.
To be displayed.

Next, in step S3, the microcomputer unit 13 executes the function upgrade program whose presence has been detected by the processor unit 12 using a part of the non-display area of the installation information display memory unit 11. Along with the execution of this program, the setup information is copied to the HDD 17, the setup for each device of the digital television apparatus is performed, and the operation program of the digital television is partially changed.

Changes during the function upgrade operation are as follows:
When the refresh operation of the display device 1 reaches the position of the installation operation display screen 7 when the refresh operation of the display device 1 reaches the position of the installation operation display screen 7,
It is read by the control unit 8 and displayed on the installation operation display screen 7 of the display device 1.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment will be described.

The configuration of the third embodiment is basically similar to that of the first embodiment.
Since the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, the configuration of the first embodiment is used in the description of the third embodiment.

In the third embodiment, it is assumed that the program for upgrading the functions of the digital television is present in the MPEG2 transport stream input from the digital serial bus 18.

In the flowchart shown in FIG.
In the embodiment, in step S1, the processor unit 12
Is the MPEG input from the digital serial bus 18
2 transport stream is monitored and its MPEG2
It is determined whether a function upgrade program exists in the transport stream. When the processor unit 12 detects that the function upgrade program exists in the MPEG2 transport stream (YES in step S1), the microcomputer unit 13 is notified of the existence of the program, and proceeds to step S2.

In step S2, the microcomputer 13 requests the processor 12 to display the installation operation display screen 7. The processor unit 12 sends an instruction to the control unit 8. Upon receiving the instruction, the control unit 8 executes the refresh operation of the display device 1 at the position of the installation operation display screen 7 in the installation information display memory unit 11. The installation window display data stored in the installation window display data area is read out and sent to the display device 1, and the installation operation display screen 7 is displayed.
To be displayed.

Next, in step S 3, the microcomputer unit 13 executes the function upgrade program whose presence has been detected by the processor unit 12 using a part of the non-display area of the installation information display memory unit 11. Along with the execution of this program, the setup information is copied to the HDD 17, the setup for each device of the digital television apparatus is performed, and the operation program of the digital television is partially changed.

Changes during the function upgrade operation include:
When the refresh operation of the display device 1 reaches the position of the installation operation display screen 7 when the refresh operation of the display device 1 reaches the position of the installation operation display screen 7,
It is read by the control unit 8 and displayed on the installation operation display screen 7 of the display device 1.

(Other Embodiments) A storage medium storing program codes of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (or CPU) of the system or apparatus is provided.
It is needless to say that the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium by the MPU or the MPU.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. .

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS running on the computer based on the instructions of the program code. Performs some or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
Needless to say, this is included in the present invention.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It is needless to say that the present invention includes a case where the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments. No.

[0067]

As described in detail above, according to the invention of claim 1, claim 9, claim 16 or claim 23,
Detecting whether the function improvement program is supplied from the outside, and when the supply of the function improvement program is detected,
The function improvement program is executed to improve the functions of the own apparatus, and the display processing of the viewing video image is performed independently of the execution of the function improvement program.

Thus, the function upgrade can be performed without interrupting the viewing of the video program.

Further, the execution status of the function upgrade process is displayed in parallel with the image display of the video program by the multi-window display method. Thus, the user can monitor the execution status of the function upgrade process while watching the video program.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital television device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a multi-window screen displayed on a display device.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a function upgrade program installation operation performed in the digital television device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Display device (display means) 2 Main screen window 3-5 Sub screen window 6 Operation panel display screen 7 Installation operation display screen 8 Control part (display processing means) 9 Work memory and display memory part 10 Operation panel display memory part 11 Installation Information display memory unit 12 Processor unit (detection unit) 13 Microcomputer unit (detection unit, execution unit) 14 Front end unit 15 Input / output control unit 16 DVDROM drive unit (drive unit) 17 HDD 18 Digital serial bus

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 7/081

Claims (29)

[Claims] 1. A digital television apparatus capable of improving its function by being supplied with a function improvement program from the outside, wherein a detecting means for detecting whether or not the function improvement program is supplied from outside. Execution means for executing the function improvement program when the supply of the function improvement program is detected by the detection means to improve the function of the own device; independent of execution of the function improvement program by the execution means And a display processing means for performing display processing of a viewing video image. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit configured to display an image by a multi-window display method, wherein the display processing unit causes the display unit to display a first window image, and the execution unit causes the display unit to display the first window image. The digital television device according to claim 1, wherein a second window image different from the first window image is displayed. 3. The digital television device according to claim 2, wherein the second window image includes information indicating an execution status of the function improvement program. 4. The digital television device has at least two
The digital television device according to claim 1, further comprising: one information processing device, wherein the execution unit and the display processing unit are respectively configured by the two information processing devices. 5. The display processing means includes an MPEG2 transport stream video image received from a digital television broadcast, an MPEG2 transport stream video image reproduced and output from a hard disk drive, and an externally input signal via a digital serial bus. MPE
2. The digital television apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the G2 transport stream video images is displayed. 6. A drive device for reading and writing data from and on a recording medium, wherein the detecting means detects that a storage medium storing the function improvement program is inserted into the drive device, thereby detecting the function. 2. The digital television device according to claim 1, wherein external supply of the enhancement program is detected. 7. A front end for receiving a radio wave of a digital television broadcast and outputting an encoded image signal, wherein the detecting means has a function in the encoded image signal output from the front end. 2. The digital television apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an external supply of the function improvement program is detected by detecting the presence of the improvement program. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a digital serial bus, wherein the detecting unit detects that a functional enhancement program is present in the encoded image signal output from the digital serial bus. 2. The digital television apparatus according to claim 1, wherein supply from outside is detected. 9. A function improving method applied to a digital television apparatus capable of improving its own function by being supplied with a function improving program from outside, wherein the function improving program is supplied from outside. A detection step of detecting whether or not supply of the function improvement program is detected by the detection step; an execution step of executing the function improvement program to improve the function of the own device; and the function by the execution step A display processing step of performing display processing of a viewing video image independently of execution of the enhancement program. 10. The digital television apparatus, further comprising: display means for displaying an image by a multi-window display method, wherein the display processing step causes the display means to display a first window image, and the execution step includes: 10. The function improving method according to claim 9, wherein a second window image different from the first window image is displayed on a display unit. 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the second window image includes information indicating an execution status of the function improvement program. 12. The display processing step includes: an MPEG2 transport stream video image received from a digital television broadcast, an MPEG2 transport stream video image reproduced and output from a hard disk drive, and an externally input signal via a digital serial bus. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the MPEG-2 transport stream video images is displayed. 13. The digital television device according to claim 1, further comprising: a drive device for reading and writing data from and on a recording medium, wherein the detecting step detects that a storage medium storing the function improvement program is inserted into the drive device. The function improvement method according to claim 9, wherein the supply of the function improvement program from outside is detected. 14. The digital television device, further comprising a front end for receiving radio waves of digital television broadcast and outputting an encoded image signal, wherein the detecting step includes the step of detecting the encoded image signal output from the front end. 10. An external supply of the function improvement program is detected by detecting the presence of the function improvement program in the program.
The described function improvement method. 15. The digital television apparatus includes a digital serial bus, and the detecting step includes detecting that a function enhancement program is present in an encoded image signal output from the digital serial bus, and 10. The function improving method according to claim 9, wherein the external supply of the function improving program is detected. 16. A program for causing a computer to execute a function improvement method for improving a function of a digital television apparatus using a function improvement program supplied from the outside, wherein the function improvement method comprises the steps of: A detection step of detecting whether or not the digital television device is supplied from the control unit; and, when the supply of the function improvement program is detected by the detection step, an execution step of executing the function improvement program to improve the function of the digital television device. A display processing step of performing display processing of a viewing video image independently of execution of the function improvement program by the execution step. 17. The digital television device, further comprising: display means for displaying an image by a multi-window display method, wherein the display processing step causes the display means to display a first window image, and the execution step includes: 17. The program according to claim 16, wherein the display unit displays a second window image different from the first window image. 18. The program according to claim 17, wherein the second window image includes information indicating an execution status of the function improvement program. 19. The display processing step includes: an MPEG2 transport stream video image received from a digital television broadcast, an MPEG2 transport stream video image reproduced and output from a hard disk drive, and an externally input via a digital serial bus. 17. The program according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the MPEG-2 transport stream video images is displayed. 20. The digital television device, further comprising: a driving device that reads and records a recording medium, wherein the detecting step detects that a storage medium storing the function improvement program is inserted into the driving device. 17. The program according to claim 16, wherein the function improvement program detects external supply of the function improvement program. 21. The digital television device, further comprising: a front end for receiving a radio wave of a digital television broadcast and outputting an encoded image signal, wherein the detecting step includes the step of: detecting an encoded image signal output from the front end. The supply of the function improvement program from outside is detected by detecting the presence of the function improvement program in the device.
6. The program according to 6. 22. The digital television device includes a digital serial bus, and the detecting step includes detecting that a function enhancement program is present in an encoded image signal output from the digital serial bus. 17. The program according to claim 16, wherein supply of the function improvement program from outside is detected. 23. A computer-readable storage medium storing a function improvement method for improving the function of a digital television apparatus using a function improvement program supplied from the outside as a program, wherein the function improvement method comprises the following steps: A detecting step of detecting whether or not the enhancement program is supplied from the outside; and, when the detection step detects the supply of the enhancement program, executing the enhancement program to improve the function of the digital television device. A storage medium, comprising: an execution step; and a display processing step of performing display processing of a viewing video image independently of execution of the function improvement program by the execution step. 24. The digital television device, further comprising: display means for displaying an image by a multi-window display method, wherein the display processing step causes the display means to display a first window image, and the execution step includes: The storage medium according to claim 23, wherein a second window image different from the first window image is displayed on a display unit. 25. The storage medium according to claim 24, wherein the second window image includes information indicating an execution status of the function improvement program. 26. The display processing step, wherein the MPEG2 transport stream video image received from a digital television broadcast, the MPEG2 transport stream video image reproduced and output from a hard disk drive unit, and an externally input via a digital serial bus. 24. The storage medium according to claim 23, wherein at least one of an MPEG2 transport stream video image is displayed. 27. The digital television device, further comprising: a drive device for reading and writing data from and on a recording medium, wherein the detecting step detects that a storage medium storing the function improvement program is inserted into the drive device. 24. The storage medium according to claim 23, wherein a supply of the function improvement program from outside is detected. 28. The digital television device, further comprising: a front end that receives a radio wave of a digital television broadcast and outputs an encoded image signal, wherein the detecting step includes the steps of: 3. An external supply of the function improvement program is detected by detecting the presence of the function improvement program in the program.
3. The storage medium according to 3. 29. The digital television device includes a digital serial bus, and the detecting step includes detecting that a function enhancement program is present in an encoded image signal output from the digital serial bus, and 24. The storage medium according to claim 23, wherein external supply of the function improvement program is detected.