JP2003125304A - Broadcast receiving apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate addition or change of the function of each part. SOLUTION: A flash memory 7 stores a program for a main microcomputer 5 and a program for a sub microcomputer 8. The main microcomputer 5, when started by a boot program, develops the program for the main microcomputer 5 stored in the flash memory 10 into SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) 6 and starts it, and transfers the program for the sub microcomputer 8 to the sub microcomputer 8. The sub microcomputer 8 develops it into SDRAM 9 when the program is transferred from the main microcomputer 5, and executes various types of processing.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a broadcast receiving apparatus and method, and more particularly to a broadcast receiving apparatus and method that allows the functions of the respective units to be easily added or changed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, digital broadcasting has started in which audio signals and image signals are digitized and broadcast via a satellite (BS (Broadcasting Satellite)). In this digital broadcasting, not only image signals and audio signals but also various data can be transmitted by digitizing the signals to be transmitted and multiplexing these signals.

By the way, in this field, there is a continuing search for what kind of service can be provided, and there is a high possibility that a new form of service will be started in the future. Therefore, when a new service is started and a new function for receiving the service is added, it is necessary to add or change the program of the broadcast receiving device.

Therefore, in order to make such additions,
Various proposals have been made to download new programs and upgrade existing programs via digital broadcast waves.

When a program is upgraded via a digital broadcast wave, a broadcast receiving apparatus acquires a transport stream from the received digital broadcast wave and identifies it by a packet ID of each packet forming the transport stream. Then, the program for upgrading is extracted. Then, the extracted program is written in the storage unit of a predetermined microcomputer.

In addition, when performing version upgrade with the extracted program, a plurality of programs having the same function are prepared in the storage unit, and even if the writing fails for some reason, the writing is not performed, Various recovery methods have been proposed in which normal processing can be executed using a program that operates normally.

[0007]

However, as described above, if the program of one microcomputer is to be upgraded, as in the case of the microcomputer that controls the demultiplexer that extracts a predetermined packet, that program is used. Although the processing can be executed easily, if you want to upgrade each program of multiple microcomputers at the same time,
There is a problem that the processing becomes very complicated.

Further, when the user performs any operation and the rewriting is interrupted while rewriting the programs of a plurality of microcomputers, the program of a certain microcomputer is upgraded,
The programs of other microcomputers may remain in the old version.

If the microcomputers individually execute various processes based on their own programs, there is no problem, but when a plurality of microcomputers cooperate to execute the processes, the There is a problem that various problems occur, such as not being able to display images due to different program versions.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is to make it possible to easily change or add the respective functions of a plurality of microcomputers provided in a broadcast receiving apparatus. .

[0011]

A broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present invention is a first microcomputer used by a first microcomputer.
And a storage unit that stores the second program used by the second microcomputer and that is managed by the first microcomputer. The first microcomputer stores the first program stored by the storage unit. The second program is transferred to the second microcomputer, and the second microcomputer executes a predetermined process based on the second program transferred from the first microcomputer.

It is possible to further include an acquisition means for acquiring, via a broadcast wave, a first program of a version different from the first program and a second program of a version different from the second program. it can.

The first microcomputer utilizes the first program and the second program acquired by the acquisition means and stores the oldest version of the first program and the second program stored in the storage means. The program can be rewritten.

The first microcomputer may transfer the latest version of the second program stored in the storage means to the second microcomputer.

The broadcast receiving method of the broadcast receiving apparatus of the present invention is as follows:
The first program used by the first microcomputer and the second program used by the second microcomputer are managed by the first microcomputer, and the storage step is processed by the first microcomputer. The second program stored in the second microcomputer is transferred to the second microcomputer, and the second microcomputer executes a predetermined process based on the second program transferred from the first microcomputer. It is characterized by

In the broadcast receiving apparatus and method of the present invention, the first microcomputer used by the first microcomputer is provided.
And the second program used by the second microcomputer, the first microcomputer transfers the second program to the second microcomputer, and the second microcomputer stores the second program. Predetermined processing is executed based on the second program transferred from the first microcomputer.

[0017]

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a television receiver to which the present invention is applied.

A received signal of a digital broadcast wave received by an antenna (not shown) is supplied to the digital tuner 1 and after a predetermined signal is tuned, demodulation processing, error correction processing and the like are performed, and the transport signal is transmitted. It is supplied to the demultiplexer 2 as a stream (TS).

The demultiplexer 2 identifies the data stored in each packet by the PID (packet ID) described in the header of the transport packet constituting the transport stream supplied from the digital tuner 1. To do.

The demultiplexer 2 is, for example, PES (Packetized) based on an instruction from the microcomputer 5.
Elementary Stream) or ES (Elementary Stream) video data is output to the video decoder 3, and audio data is output to the audio decoder 4.

When the demultiplexer 2 obtains the version upgrade program 41 that upgrades the programs of the microcomputer 5 and the microcomputer 8 (extends the function), it supplies them to the microcomputer 5.

The video decoder 3 includes a demultiplexer 2
When video data is supplied from, for example, it is expanded in MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) 2 format, and the video signal obtained by performing digital-analog conversion etc. is displayed on a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or LCD.
Display on the display such as (Liquid Crystal Display).
On the other hand, when the audio data is supplied from the demultiplexer 2, the audio decoder 4 decompresses the data and outputs the obtained audio signal to the speaker.

The microcomputer 5 is a fixed program area 2 of a flash memory 7 which is a non-volatile memory.
1 is started by the boot program stored in 1.
Then, the microcomputer 5 reads out a newer version of the program stored in the variable program area 22 and the variable program area 23 of the flash memory 7 and writes it to the SDRAM (Sync
Expand to hronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) 6 and execute various processes.

As will be described later in detail, the variable program area 22 and the variable program area 23 respectively include
A program used by the microcomputer 8 is also stored, and the program is read by the microcomputer 5 and transferred to the microcomputer 8.

The microcomputer 5 is based on the program for the microcomputer 5 developed in the SDRAM 6, for example, the whole of the television receiver such as the packet extraction by the demultiplexer 2 or the transfer of the program to the microcomputer 8. (Hereinafter, the microcomputer 5 is referred to as the main microcomputer 5 and the microcomputer 8 is referred to as the sub-microcomputer 8).

When the version upgrade program 41 is supplied from the demultiplexer 2, the main microcomputer 5 (microcomputer 5) sets the version upgrade program 41 to the older one of the variable program area 22 and the variable program area 23. Write to the area where the version program is stored. In FIG. 1, "PM41A" represents an upgrade program for upgrading the main microcomputer program, and "PS41B" represents an upgrade program for upgrading the sub microcomputer program.

In the example of FIG. 1, the program stored in the variable program area 22 is a newer version of the program than the program stored in the variable program area 23. Of the programs read from the variable program area 22 when activated by the boot program,
SDRA for main microcomputer program 22A (PM22A)
The program is expanded to M6 and activated, and the sub-microcomputer program 22B (PS22B) is transferred to the sub-microcomputer 8.

Further, in the example of FIG. 1, when the upgrade program 41 is supplied, the main microcomputer 5 stores the upgrade program 41 in the variable program area 23 in which an older version program is stored. I remember.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the flash memory 7 managed by the main microcomputer 5.

As shown in FIG. 2, the flash memory 7 basically comprises a fixed program area 21, a variable program area 22, a variable program area 23, and a data area 24.

In the fixed program area 21, the boot program 2 used when the main microcomputer 5 starts up.
1A is stored. This boot program 21A
Is a program that cannot be rewritten by the version-up program normally transmitted by digital broadcast waves.

The variable program area 22 has a main microcomputer program 2 used by the main microcomputer 5.
2A and a sub-microcomputer program 22B used by the sub-microcomputer 8 are stored.

The variable program area 23 stores a main microcomputer program 23A and a sub microcomputer program 23B which are used by the main microcomputer 5 and the sub microcomputer 8, respectively, like the variable program area 22.

Unlike the boot program 21A, the variable program area 22 and the program stored in the variable program area 23 are programs that can be rewritten by the version upgrade program transmitted by digital broadcast waves.

In the data area 24, for example, various user information such as information of a channel selected when the power is turned off and recording reservation information when recording reservation is set. Remembered.

Returning to the explanation of FIG. 1, the sub-microcomputer 8 is activated by the boot program stored in the flash memory 10 when the activation is instructed. Then, when the program is transferred from the main microcomputer 5, the sub-microcomputer 8 expands the program in the SDRAM 9 and executes various processes. The sub-microcomputer 8 is, for example, an IEEE (not shown).
(Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineer
s) A microcomputer that controls a processing unit that handles digital data, such as a 1394 interface and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

In the example of FIG. 1, the variable program area 22 of the flash memory 7 is indicated by the chain line.
The sub-microcomputer program 22B read from is transferred to the sub-microcomputer 8 and is expanded in the SDRAM 9.

That is, in the flash memory 10 managed by the sub-microcomputer 8, only the boot program for activation is stored in the fixed program area 31, and the sub-microcomputer 8 starts from the main microcomputer 5 every time it is activated. Various processes are executed using the supplied program. The flash memory 10 may be configured by a mask ROM (Read Only Memory) in which only the boot program is stored.

As described above, since the latest program for the sub-microcomputer 8 is supplied from the main microcomputer 5 each time it is booted, the flash memory 10 can be constituted by a memory having a small capacity. Therefore,
The cost can be suppressed.

Further, the main microcomputer 5 and the sub microcomputer 8
Since these programs are stored in the same location (flash memory 7), the downloaded version upgrade programs can be used to easily and safely upgrade the programs.

That is, the programs of the main microcomputer 5 and the sub-microcomputer 8 are stored in different places, and rewriting is interrupted while rewriting these programs using the downloaded version upgrade program. In this case, the program of the main microcomputer 5 may be upgraded and the program of the sub microcomputer 8 may remain in the old version. The main microcomputer 5 and the sub microcomputer 8 cooperate to execute various processes. It is possible to avoid the inconvenience of being unable to do so.

In the television receiver shown in FIG. 1, the microcomputer 11 is provided in the small power block which consumes less power. The microcomputer 11 is basically a microcomputer that performs analog control such as deflection of the display section or scanning with an electron gun (hereinafter, the microcomputer 11 is appropriately referred to as a TV microcomputer 11).

Normally, the above-described program version upgrade is executed in a standby (power off) state in which various operations are not performed by the user.

The main microcomputer 5 multiplexes the time at which the version-up program for its own set is transmitted together with other data and transmits it.
Confirm with SDTT (Software Download Trigger Table).
Then, when the main microcomputer 5 determines that it is free for a predetermined time or more by the time the download of the version upgrade program is started, it requests the TV microcomputer 11 to start itself at that time. Then, the power is turned off by itself. Also, in that case,
Similarly to the main microcomputer 5, the sub-microcomputer 8 also turns off its own power source.

Generally, a microcomputer that handles digital data, such as the main microcomputer 5 and the sub-microcomputer 8, consumes more power than a microcomputer that controls an analog signal. Therefore,
As described above, power consumption can be suppressed by turning off the power supply of the microcomputers other than the TV microcomputer 11 until the download is started.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the concept of version upgrade by the version upgrade program.

At time t ₁ , when the user operates the remote controller to instruct power-off (power-off), the television image is received until the next power-on is instructed (until time t ₂ ). The machine goes into standby. As described above, the download of the version upgrade program is performed in the standby state in which various operations are not executed by the user, and therefore, the state in which it is internally activated only during the period T ₃ when the download is performed. Becomes

For example, in the period T ₁ , when the main microcomputer 5 has the program of version 2 (of the programs stored in the variable program area 22 and the variable program area 23, the version of the old program is version 2). In the case of), the program executed by the download executed in the period T ₃ is, for example,
Rewritten to version 4.

Then, at the time t ₂ , when the power-on is instructed by the user, the version 4 program is started in the subsequent period T ₅ .

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the above-mentioned SD
The TT is transmitted at a predetermined cycle such as every 10 minutes. The main microcomputer 5 refers to the contents of SDTT and sets itself (television receiver shown in FIG. 1).
Check the transmission time of the version upgrade program for.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of information described in SDTT.

For example, in the SDTT, the device name of the television receiver to be downloaded (download target), the version of the target program (target version), the version of the program that can be obtained by downloading (new version), and The download start time for two days is described.

The main microcomputer 5 refers to such SDTT, the download target is its own set, and the target version corresponds to the older version of the program stored in the flash memory 7. If you want to
Download the program.

In the example of FIG. 4, the download target is "PONY HD700", the target version is "prior to version 2", and the new version is "version 4". Further, the "download time" is, for example, "August 14, 2001 at 12:05 am
From 10 minutes ".

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the version upgrade program. For example, as shown in FIG.
It is sent every two hours.

As shown in FIG. 5, a single download obtains a plurality of the same version upgrade programs, so that the version upgrade can be performed more reliably. In the example of FIG. 5, the version upgrade programs 51 to 53 are acquired by one download.

Version upgrade programs 51 to 53
Is DII (Download Information Indication) and DDB (Down
load Date Block). This DDB is the version upgrade program itself, and DII is the DDB
Information indicating the size, the number of modules, or the time required for downloading.

The main microcomputer 5 refers to the DII and writes the program and transfers the program to the sub-microcomputer 8.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the main microcomputer program (PM) and the sub microcomputer program (PS) forming the DDB may be composed of one module or may be composed of a plurality of modules. When the DDB consists of multiple modules, the main microcomputer 5 can transfer the program of the sub-microcomputer 8 in the state of that module. However, when the DDB consists of one module, the entire DDB is expanded in the SDRAM 6 or the like. , Need to be divided into individual modules.

In FIG. 1, for convenience of explanation, DD
In addition to the explanation without distinguishing the module configuration of B, 1
It is assumed that the number of version upgrade programs acquired by one download is one.

Next, the operation of the television receiver shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

First, with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 6, a start-up process of the main microcomputer 5 executed in response to a power-on instruction from the user will be described.

When the user gives an instruction for activation (power-on), the main microcomputer 5 performs the activation process using the boot program stored in the fixed program area 21 of the flash memory 7 in step S1. Specifically, the main microcomputer 5 initializes various parameters and peripheral hardware.

The main microcomputer 5 proceeds to step S2, refers to the internal flag to be managed, and specifies the area of the variable program area 22 and the variable program area 23 in which the latest version of the program is stored. This internal flag describes the version of each program stored in the variable program area 22 and the variable program area 23, the date and time when the program was stored, and the like.

Then, in step S3, the main microcomputer 5 reads the latest main microcomputer program from the area specified in step S2. In step S4, the main microcomputer 5 expands the read program in the SDRAM 6, and when all the data is expanded, the main microcomputer 5 proceeds to step S5 and activates it.

In step S6, the main microcomputer 5
Reads the latest sub-microcomputer program from the same area where the main microcomputer program was read. For example, when reading the main microcomputer program 22A from the variable program area 22, the main microcomputer 5 reads the sub microcomputer program 22B from the variable program area 22 in step S6.

In step S7, the main microcomputer 5 transfers the sub-microcomputer program read from the flash memory 7 to the sub-microcomputer 8. The transferred program is expanded in the SDRAM 9 by the sub-microcomputer 8 as described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
Used. That is, the sub-microcomputer 8 is in a standby state until the sub-microcomputer program is transferred from the main microcomputer 5.

In step S8, the main microcomputer 5
Initializes various parameters based on the program for the main microcomputer activated in the SDRAM 6, and when it is completed, proceeds to step S9 to perform normal processing, that is, processing for controlling the demultiplexer 2. To execute.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
The starting process of the sub-microcomputer 8 that is executed corresponding to the process of FIG. 6 will be described.

In step S21, the sub-microcomputer 8
When the user instructs the activation, the activation process is performed by the boot program stored in the fixed program area 31 of the flash memory 10, and step S22
Then, it is determined whether or not the sub-microcomputer program has been transferred from the main microcomputer 5.

In step S22, the sub-microcomputer 8 waits until it is determined that the sub-microcomputer program has been transferred. If it is determined that the sub-microcomputer program has been transferred, then the process proceeds to step S23, where it is checked.

For example, the sub-microcomputer 8 executes step S2
In 3, check the data size and check the transferred sub-microcomputer program by checksum or CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check).
When all the data have been checked, step S2
Proceed to 4 and develop it in SDRAM9. For example, when a data error or the like is detected in the check executed in step S23, the re-transfer request is issued by the sub-microcomputer 8
May be transmitted to the main microcomputer 5.

In step S25, the sub-microcomputer 8
Determines whether all the data for the sub-microcomputer program transferred from the main microcomputer 5 has been expanded in the SDRAM 9, and if it is determined that the data has not been expanded, the process returns to step S23, and the subsequent processes are repeated. Run.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S25 that the sub-microcomputer 8 has expanded all the data in the SDRAM 9, the process proceeds to step S26 to activate the expanded sub-microcomputer program. And the sub-microcomputer 8
After initializing each parameter in step S27, the process proceeds to step S28 to perform normal processing, that is, control of an HDD (not shown).

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a specific example of the activation process described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. In FIG. 8, the state of the television receiver, the operation of the main microcomputer 5, and the operation of the sub-microcomputer 8 are shown from the top.
The horizontal axis represents time.

At time t ₁₁ , when the user operates the remote controller to instruct to power on, the television receiver which has been in the standby state (power off) until then becomes the power on state, and the microcomputer The various processes described above are performed.

For example, in the period T ₁₁ , the main microcomputer 5 performs the start-up process based on the boot program (the process of step S1 in FIG. 6), and similarly, in the period T ₂₁ , the sub-microcomputer 8 executes the boot program. Based on the activation process, the process of step S21 of FIG. 7 is performed.

In the main microcomputer 5, when the startup by the boot program is completed, the flash memory 7
Then, the latest main microcomputer program is read (the process of step S3 of FIG. 6) and is started in the period T ₁₂ (the process of step S5 of FIG. 6).

In the example of FIG. 8, the flash memory 7
Area 22 (variable program area 22) stores a version 3 main microcomputer program and a version 2 sub microcomputer program.
The (variable program area 23) stores a version 2 main microcomputer program and a version 1 sub microcomputer program.

Therefore, the main microcomputer 5 is
From the RAM area 22, select the version 3 main microcomputer program.
Read the program and write it for the period T₁₂After starting with
Interval T ₁₃The version 2 sub-microcomputer program
Program to the sub-microcomputer 8 (step S7 in FIG. 6).
processing).

On the other hand, the sub-microcomputer 8 is in a program transfer waiting state until the sub-microcomputer program is transferred (time period T ₂₂ ) (step S22 in FIG. 7). Then, when the version 2 sub-microcomputer program read by the main microcomputer 5 is transferred, the sub-microcomputer 8
_{At 23} , it is expanded in the SDRAM 9 and activated in the period T ₂₄ (processing of step S26 of FIG. 7).

By the above processing, after the period T ₁₂
The main microcomputer 5 performs various processes according to the version 3 main microcomputer program, and after the period T ₂₄ ,
The sub-microcomputer 8 will perform various processes according to the version 2 sub-microcomputer program.

As described above, since the sub-microcomputer program is transferred from the main microcomputer 5 each time it is activated, it is not necessary to prepare the sub-microcomputer program in the flash memory 10. Therefore, the flash memory 10 can be configured with a memory having a small capacity or with a mask ROM, so that the cost can be suppressed.

Next, the processing of the television receiver for downloading the upgrade program will be described.

First, the processing of the main microcomputer 5 for setting the timer based on SDTT will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In step S41, the main microcomputer 5 acquires the SDTT supplied from the demultiplexer 2.

In step S42, the main microcomputer 5 refers to the information described in the SDTT, the download target is its own set, and the version of the program to be downloaded is, for example, the flash memory 7 When it is determined that the version corresponds to the version of the main microcomputer program stored in, the TV microcomputer 11 is notified of the time when the download is started, and it is requested to start at that time.

Then, when the user is not performing any operation (when the user instructs to turn off the power), the main microcomputer 5 proceeds to step S43.
Enter the standby state (power off). As mentioned above,
The power consumption can be suppressed by keeping the main microcomputer 5 in the standby state until the download of the version upgrade program is started.

Next, the processing of the TV microcomputer 11 for starting the main microcomputer 5 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In step S51, the TV microcomputer 11
Sets a timer based on an instruction from the main microcomputer 5.

Then, in step S52, the TV microcomputer 11 determines whether or not it is time to start downloading the version upgrade program (main microcomputer 5
It is determined whether or not the time set by is reached, and waits until it is determined that the time is reached.

When the TV microcomputer 11 determines in step S52 that it is time to start downloading the version upgrade program, the process proceeds to step S53 to request the main microcomputer 5 to start. After that, the main microcomputer 5 downloads the version upgrade program.

Next, with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 11 and 12, the processing of the main microcomputer 5 for rewriting the already stored program by the downloaded version upgrade program will be described. This process is executed, for example, at the timing when activation is requested by the TV microcomputer 11.

The processing of steps S61 to S65 is the same as the processing of steps S1 to S5 described with reference to FIG. That is, the main microcomputer 5 starts in step S61 by the boot program, and then proceeds to step S62 to identify the memory area in which the latest program is stored. Then, in step S63, the main microcomputer 5 reads the latest main microcomputer program from the specified area.

The main microcomputer 5 expands the main microcomputer program in the SDRAM 6 in step S64, and when the expansion is completed, the process proceeds to step S65 to activate it.

In step S66, the main microcomputer 5 inquires of the TV microcomputer 11 about the cause of the start, and the process proceeds to step S67, which is because it is the time when the download of the version upgrade program is started. Determine if there is.

For example, in the case where the user has instructed to record a predetermined program and the start is the requested start time of the program, the main microcomputer 5
Advances to step S68 to execute a normal process, that is, a process of recording the set program, and ends the process.

On the other hand, when the main microcomputer 5 determines in step S67 that the activation request from the TV microcomputer 11 is due to the start of the download of the version upgrade program, the process proceeds to step S69 and the version upgrade program is executed. Prepare to get (download). For example, the main microcomputer 5
The demultiplexer 2 is controlled to tune to the channel to which the version upgrade program is transmitted.

Then, the main microcomputer 5 executes step S
At 70, it is determined whether the version upgrade program has been supplied from the demultiplexer 2, and the process waits until it is determined that the version upgrade program has been supplied.

When the main microcomputer 5 determines in step S70 that the version upgrade program is supplied from the demultiplexer 2, step S71.
Go to and check the data for errors.

For example, the main microcomputer 5 checks the version-up program with a checksum or CRC, and determines in step S72 whether an error has been detected. When the main microcomputer 5 determines in step S72 that an error has been detected in the supplied version upgrade program, the process proceeds to step S73, in which a predetermined error process is performed and then the process ends.

On the other hand, the main microcomputer 5 executes step S7.
When it is determined that the error is not detected in step 2, the process proceeds to step S74, it is determined whether all the data of the version upgrade program are acquired, and the process proceeds to step S71 until it is determined that all the data is acquired. Return and repeat the subsequent processing.

When it is determined in step S74 that the main microcomputer 5 has acquired all the data, the process proceeds to step S75 to confirm the setting of the internal flag to be managed,
It is determined whether or not the main microcomputer program that is currently activated is the program read from the variable program area 22.

If the main microcomputer 5 determines in step S75 that the program currently loaded in the SDRAM 6 is not the program read from the variable program area 22 (that is, the program read from the variable program area 23), the variable The variable program area 22 is larger than the programs stored in the program area 23.
Since the program stored in is the older version, the process proceeds to step S76, and the acquired version upgrade program is written in the variable program area 22.

On the other hand, in step S75, when the main microcomputer 5 determines that the program currently loaded in the SDRAM 6 is the program read from the variable program area 22, the process proceeds to step S77, and the acquired version upgrade program is obtained. Variable program area 2
Write to 3.

In step S78, the main microcomputer 5 determines whether or not the writing of the version upgrade program is normally completed. If it is determined that the version upgrade program is not normally completed, the process proceeds to step S73 and error processing is performed. After that, the process is terminated. In addition, when the main microcomputer 5 determines in step S78 that the writing of the version upgrade program has been normally completed, it proceeds to step S78.
Proceeding to 79, after updating the version setting of the internal flag for managing the program stored in the flash memory 7, the processing is terminated.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a specific example of the rewriting process described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. Figure 1
3, the state of the television receiver, the operation of the main microcomputer 5, and the operation of the sub-microcomputer 8 are shown from the top. The horizontal axis represents time.

For example, at time t ₂₁ , the TV microcomputer 1
When the activation is requested by 1, the television receiver, which has been in the standby state (power-off) for the period up to that time (period T ₃₁ ), is internally in the state of executing the download, and each microcomputer has various types. Processing is performed.

In the above-mentioned example, only the main microcomputer 5 is activated in response to the request from the TV microcomputer 11, but as shown in FIG. 13, the sub-microcomputer 8 is also activated. You may do it.

First, in the period T ₄₁ , the main microcomputer 5 and the sub-microcomputer 8 perform the same start-up processing as that described with reference to FIG.

After the boot program has started in the period T ₅₁ , the main microcomputer 5 reads the version 3 main microcomputer program stored in the variable program area 22 and starts in the period T ₅₂ . (Step S65 of FIG. 11). In the period T ₅₃ , the version 2 sub-microcomputer program is read from the variable program area 22 and transferred to the sub-microcomputer 8.

In the sub-microcomputer 8, the sub-microcomputer program transferred from the main microcomputer 5 is expanded in the SDRAM 9 in the period T ₆₃ , and is started in the period T ₆₄ .

The main microcomputer 5 is the demultiplexer 2
When the version upgrade program 41-1 is supplied from, the check is performed in the period T ₅₄ , and writing to the flash memory 7 is performed (step S76 or step S77 in FIG. 12). In this example, the version 4 main microcomputer program and the version 3 sub microcomputer program are stored in the variable program area 23 of the flash memory 7 by the version upgrade program.

Note that the same information as the version upgrade program 41-1 is supplied to the main microcomputer 5 as the version upgrade program 41-2 so that the program can be written more reliably.

Then, when the main microcomputer 5 finishes writing the version upgrade program 41-1,
In the period T ₅₅ , the power supply control circuit (not shown) is notified that the writing is completed, and the power supply to the main microcomputer 5 and the sub-microcomputer 8 is stopped.

As a result, in the period T ₃₃ , the television receiver is in the standby state where no operation is performed.

As shown in FIG. 13, for example, at time t
_{At 22} , when the user instructs the power-on, the television receiver which has been in the standby state until then becomes the power-on state, and the start-up process similar to that described with reference to FIG. 8 is performed in each microcomputer. Is done.

That is, during the period T ₅₆ , the main microcomputer 5 performs the boot process based on the boot program, and similarly, during the period T ₆₅ , the sub microcomputer 8 performs the boot process based on the boot program.

In the main microcomputer 5, when the activation is completed, the latest program, that is, the program stored in the variable program area 23 in the period T ₅₄ is read out from the flash memory 7 and activated in the period T ₅₇ . To be done.

Therefore, the main microcomputer 5 is
Various processes are executed based on the version 4 main microcomputer program read from the variable program area 23. Further, the main microcomputer 5 causes the period T ₅₈ to
The version 3 sub-microcomputer program read from the variable program area 23 is transferred to the sub-microcomputer 8.

The sub-microcomputer 8 has been upgraded by the main microcomputer 5 and transferred to the version 3
When the program has been acquired for the sub-microcomputer, the period T ₆₇
In, it will be expanded to SDRAM9. Then, when the development of the version 3 sub-microcomputer program is completed, the sub-microcomputer 8 activates it in a period T ₆₈ . After the period T ₆₈ , the sub-microcomputer 8 executes various processes according to the version 3 sub-microcomputer program.

With the above processing, the downloaded version upgrade program is stored in the area in which the old version of the program is stored, out of the two variable program areas. However, the program in the area in which the new version of the program, which has not been written, is still stored can be used as a valid program.

Further, since the main microcomputer program and the sub microcomputer program stored in the same area are rewritten at the same time by the downloaded version upgrade program, the main microcomputer 5 may be lost due to the mismatch of the rewritten program versions. Thus, it is possible to prevent the sub-microcomputer 8 from collaborating and not being able to perform processing.

In the above, the processing such as downloading the version-up program and rewriting the program is executed in the standby state. However, while controlling the output of video and audio while the power is on, You may make it perform those processes. In that case, since the main microcomputer 5 and the sub-microcomputer 8 are in the activated state, the timer setting process (for example, the process described with reference to FIG. 9) performed based on SDTT is omitted.

In the above description, the transfer of the sub-microcomputer program and the download of the version upgrade program are executed based on the main microcomputer program expanded in the SDRAM 6, but they can be executed based on the boot program. You may do it. Depending on the system configuration, it may be more efficient to execute those processes based on the boot program.

Further, although the flash memory 7 is provided with the variable program area 22 and the variable program area 23, a larger number of areas may be provided. In this case, each area may be specified by specifying the address, or each program may be managed by a file. Further, the programs may be managed by the directory structure.

In the above, the microcomputer 5 controlling the demultiplexer 2 also manages the programs of other microcomputers, but the other microcomputers execute the processing of the microcomputer 5 as described above. You may do it. For example, the microcomputer 8 and the microcomputer 1
1, the processing of the microcomputer 5 as described above may be executed.

Further, although the microcomputer 5 transfers the program only to the microcomputer 8, it may transfer the latest program to a larger number of microcomputers.

The case where the present invention is applied to a television receiver has been described, but the above processing is performed by STB (Set
It can also be applied when upgrading the microcomputer program of Top Box). Further, the present invention can be applied not only to devices handling BS (Broadcasting Satellite) digital broadcasting but also to devices handling CS (Communications Satellite) digital broadcasting and terrestrial digital broadcasting.

[0130]

According to the broadcast receiving apparatus and method of the present invention, the first microcomputer used by the first microcomputer is provided.
And a second program used by the second microcomputer, the first microcomputer transfers the second program to the second microcomputer, and the second microcomputer stores the second program. Since the predetermined processing is executed based on the second program transferred from the one microcomputer, the functions of the plurality of microcomputers provided in the broadcast receiving device can be easily changed, or It can be added, and then the normal operation can be executed according to the started program.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a television receiver to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a flash memory managed by the main microcomputer of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a concept of downloading a version upgrade program.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of SDTT in FIG.

5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a version upgrade program of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the main microcomputer of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the sub-microcomputer shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a specific example of a startup process.

9 is a flowchart illustrating another process of the main microcomputer of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing of the TV microcomputer of FIG.

11 is a flowchart illustrating still another process of the main microcomputer of FIG.

12 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 11 for explaining still another processing of the main microcomputer of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of download processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 demultiplexer, 5 microcomputer,
6 SDRAM, 7 flash memory, 8 microcomputer, 9 SDRAM, 10 flash memory, 22 variable program area, 23 variable program area

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A broadcast receiving apparatus having at least a first microcomputer and a second microcomputer, wherein the first receiver is used by the first microcomputer.
And a storage unit managed by the first microcomputer, which stores the second program used by the second microcomputer, and the first microcomputer stores the storage unit by the storage unit. The second program stored in the second microcomputer is transferred to the second microcomputer, and the second microcomputer executes a predetermined process based on the second program transferred from the first microcomputer. A broadcast receiving apparatus characterized by executing. 2. An acquisition unit for acquiring, via a broadcast wave, a version of the first program different from the version of the first program and a version of the second program different from the version of the second program. The broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: 3. The first microcomputer uses the first program and the second program acquired by the acquisition means, and uses the first program, which is the oldest version stored in the storage means. The broadcast receiving device according to claim 2, wherein the first program and the second program are rewritten. 4. The first microcomputer transfers the latest version of the second program stored in the storage means to the second microcomputer. Broadcast receiver. 5. A broadcast receiving method of a broadcast receiving device having at least a first microcomputer and a second microcomputer, wherein the first microcomputer is used by the first microcomputer.
And the second program used by the second microcomputer are managed by the first microcomputer, and the first microcomputer stores the second program stored by the processing of the storing step. A second program is transferred to the second microcomputer, and predetermined processing is executed by the second microcomputer based on the second program transferred from the first microcomputer. A broadcast receiving method characterized by.