JP2010141577A - Device and method for supplying firmware data, system for updating firmware, program for supplying firmware data, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for supplying firmware data which supplies firmware data to a digital broadcast receiver without being influenced by the condition of a reception condition of digital broadcast even when a network is not interposed. <P>SOLUTION: An STB 100 includes: a modulation part 117 for generating a modulated wave created by superposing firmware data on a channel different from a channel with contents superposed thereon in digital broadcast by modulating a carrier using a modulation method identical to that of the digital broadcast; and an RF transmission part 119 for transmitting the generated modulated wave to a digital broadcast receiver. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a firmware data supply device that supplies firmware data to a digital broadcast receiver, a firmware data supply method in the firmware data supply device, and a firmware update system.

  In recent years, as represented by terrestrial digital broadcasting and digital satellite broadcasting, digital broadcasting systems have been operated in place of conventional analog broadcasting.

  A digital broadcast receiver that receives digital broadcasts is defined in ARIB STD-B21 “Recommended Specifications for Digital Broadcasting Receivers”, Chapter 12, which is a standard established by the Association of Radio Industries and Businesses (ARIB). It has a download function for updating software data stored in the memory.

  More specifically, in a digital broadcast receiver, software can be downloaded using broadcasting as an engineering service such as function update and bug correction of the receiver software. The digital broadcast receiver executes firmware update using software downloaded using broadcast.

An example of a method for updating (updating) firmware of a digital broadcast receiver without using a broadcast is a method using a network (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-142164 A (published May 17, 2002)

  When the digital broadcast receiver does not have a network connection function, it is not possible to use a technique for updating firmware using a network as described in Patent Document 1. In such a case, the digital broadcast receiver needs to update the firmware using the broadcast wave.

  However, when updating firmware using broadcast waves, a common resource of radio wave band (ie, public broadcast radio waves) is used, and firmware update may be certain depending on the reception status of broadcast waves. There is a problem that can not be done.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its main purpose is to provide firmware for a digital broadcast receiver without being influenced by the state of the digital broadcast reception state even when not via a network. It is to provide a firmware data supply device that reliably supplies data.

In order to solve the above problems, the firmware supply apparatus according to the present invention provides:
A firmware data supply device that supplies firmware data to a digital broadcast receiver that receives digital broadcasts,
Modulation means for generating a modulated wave in which the firmware data is superimposed on a channel different from a channel on which content is superimposed in the digital broadcast by modulating a carrier wave using the same modulation method as the digital broadcast;
Transmission means for transmitting the modulated wave to the digital broadcast receiver;
It is characterized by having.

  The firmware data supply apparatus according to the present invention modulates a carrier wave using the same modulation method as that of digital broadcasting, thereby generating a modulated wave in which firmware data is superimposed on a channel different from the channel on which content is superimposed in digital broadcasting. The generated modulated wave is transmitted to a digital broadcast receiver.

  As a result, the firmware data supply apparatus according to the present invention can transmit firmware data to the digital broadcast receiver without using the frequency band (that is, channel) of the broadcast radio wave.

  Therefore, the firmware data supply apparatus according to the present invention reliably supplies firmware data to the digital broadcast receiver without being influenced by the state of the digital broadcast reception state even when the network is not used. There is an effect that can be.

  Further, in the firmware data supply device according to the present invention, the modulation means generates a modulated wave on which schedule information indicating a transmission schedule of firmware data is superimposed in addition to the firmware data, and the transmission means It is preferable to transmit a modulated wave on which the schedule information is superimposed to the digital broadcast receiver.

  According to the above configuration, the firmware data supply device can transmit the firmware data based on the schedule information, and the digital broadcast receiver prepares to acquire the firmware data based on the transmitted schedule information. There is an effect that can.

  The firmware data supply apparatus according to the present invention may further include receiving means for receiving the digital broadcast and combining means for combining the modulated wave with the digital broadcast received by the receiving means. preferable.

  According to said structure, the modulated wave produced | generated in the firmware data supply apparatus can be transmitted to a digital broadcast receiver with the digital broadcast wave transmitted by digital broadcast.

  As a result, the firmware data supply apparatus according to the present invention ensures that firmware data can be transmitted to a digital broadcast receiver having only one broadcast signal input interface without being influenced by the state of digital broadcast reception. There is an effect that can be supplied.

  The firmware data supply apparatus according to the present invention further includes an acquisition unit that acquires firmware data via a network, and the modulation unit generates a modulated wave on which the firmware data acquired by the acquisition unit is superimposed. It is preferable to produce.

  According to said structure, while being able to acquire the newest firmware data easily, there exists an effect which can acquire firmware data reliably.

  In addition, since it is not necessary to provide a storage unit for storing firmware data in the firmware data supply apparatus, the manufacturing cost of the firmware data supply apparatus according to the present invention can be reduced.

  In the firmware data supply apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the acquisition unit acquires firmware data selected by a user using an information input device among a plurality of firmware data stored in the storage unit. .

  According to said structure, an acquisition means can acquire firmware data based on the information input via the information input device.

  As a result, the firmware data supply device according to the present invention has an effect of supplying firmware data desired by the user to the digital broadcast receiver. That is, there is an effect that different firmware data can be supplied for each digital broadcast receiver according to the user's desire.

  The firmware data supply apparatus according to the present invention further includes firmware data creation means for creating firmware data based on information input by a user using an information input device, and the modulation means includes the above-described modulation means. It is preferable to generate a modulated wave on which the firmware data created by the firmware data creation means is superimposed.

  According to the above configuration, the firmware data creation unit can create firmware data based on information input by the user using the information input device.

  As a result, the firmware data supply apparatus according to the present invention creates firmware data desired by the user based on the information input by the user, even if the firmware data desired by the user does not exist, and digital broadcasting There is an effect that can be supplied to the receiver. In other words, it is possible to supply unique firmware data for each digital broadcast receiver according to the user's wishes.

  In the firmware data supply apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the information input device is further connected via a network.

  According to said structure, information can be input into the firmware data supply apparatus based on this invention from the personal computer connected via the network, for example.

  As a result, even when the user is not at the place where the firmware data supply apparatus is installed, the information can be input to the firmware data supply apparatus.

In order to solve the above problems, the firmware data supply method according to the present invention provides:
A firmware data supply method in a firmware data supply apparatus that supplies firmware data to a digital broadcast receiver that receives a digital broadcast,
A modulation step of generating a modulated wave in which the firmware data is superimposed on a channel different from a channel on which content is superimposed in the digital broadcast by modulating a carrier wave using the same modulation method as the digital broadcast;
A transmission step of transmitting the modulated wave to the digital broadcast receiver;
It is characterized by including.

  According to said structure, there exists an effect similar to the firmware data supply apparatus which concerns on this invention.

In order to solve the above problem, a firmware update system according to the present invention provides:
A firmware update system comprising a digital broadcast receiver that receives a digital broadcast and a firmware data supply device that supplies firmware data to the digital broadcast receiver,
The firmware data supply device is
Modulation means for generating a modulated wave in which the firmware data is superimposed on a channel different from a channel on which content is superimposed in the digital broadcast by modulating a carrier wave using the same modulation method as the digital broadcast;
Transmission means for transmitting the modulated wave to the digital broadcast receiver;
With
The above digital broadcast receiver
Receiver-side receiving means for receiving a modulated wave transmitted from the firmware data supply device;
Demodulating means for demodulating the modulated wave received by the receiver side receiving means;
Updating means for updating firmware in the digital broadcast receiver based on the firmware data demodulated by the demodulating means.

  According to said structure, there exists an effect similar to the firmware data supply apparatus which concerns on this invention.

  In addition, there is also an effect that the necessity of modifying the digital broadcast receiver can be made unnecessary.

  Further, a program for operating the firmware data supply apparatus according to the present invention, which is characterized in that the computer is driven as each of the above-described means, and a computer-readable recording medium on which these programs are recorded are also provided. It is included in the category of the invention.

  As described above, the firmware supply apparatus according to the present invention modulates a carrier wave using the same modulation method as that for digital broadcasting, so that firmware data is superimposed on a channel different from the channel on which content is superimposed in digital broadcasting. Modulation means for generating a modulated wave and transmission means for transmitting the generated modulated wave to a digital broadcast receiver.

  Thus, in the firmware data supply apparatus according to the present invention, the firmware is supplied to the digital broadcast receiver regardless of the state of the digital broadcast reception state even when the network is not used for supplying the firmware data. There is an effect that data can be supplied reliably.

[Embodiment 1]
An embodiment of a firmware data supply apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, prior to describing the detailed configuration of the firmware data supply apparatus according to the present invention, a firmware update system including the firmware data supply apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. To do. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the firmware update system 500.

(Configuration of firmware update system 500)
As shown in FIG. 2, the firmware update system 500 includes a set-top box 100 (hereinafter also referred to as STB; firmware data supply apparatus), a television receiver 200 (hereinafter also referred to as TV: digital broadcast receiver), and a router 300. And an information input device 400. Note that the external server device 600 and the broadcasting station 700 are not included in the configuration of the firmware update system 500, but are shown in FIG. 2 for convenience in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention. Each member which comprises the firmware update system 500 including the external server apparatus 600 and the broadcast station 700 is demonstrated below.

(STB100)
As shown in FIG. 2, the STB 100 is connected to the information input device 400 and the external server 600 via the router 300, and is also connected to the television 200 via the antenna line 10 (RF cable).

  The STB 100 receives the digital broadcast wave transmitted from the broadcast station 700 and transmits the received digital broadcast wave to the television 200 via the antenna line 10. In addition, firmware data is acquired from the external server 600 via the router 300, and the acquired firmware data is transmitted to the television 200 via the antenna line 10. The detailed configuration and operation of the STB 100 will be described in detail below.

  Note that “firmware data” in this specification and the like means program data used when the firmware of the television 200 is updated (updated).

(TV 200)
The television 200 has a function of playing back digital broadcasts. In addition, the television 200 has an interface for connecting the antenna line 10.

  The antenna line 10 is not particularly limited as long as it is a cable capable of transmitting digital broadcasting, and a conventionally known cable can be used.

  The “television receiver (television)” in the present embodiment may be any device having a function of playing back digital broadcasts and displaying video on a display. For example, a personal computer, a portable information terminal (for example, Devices such as mobile phones or PDAs) and portable game machines are also included in the category.

(Router 300)
The router 300 is used when two or more physical networks are connected, and relays data packets between the networks.

(Information input device 400)
The information input device 400 is connected to the STB 100 via the router 300, and outputs information input by the user to the STB 100. That is, the information input device 400 functions as an operation input unit that receives input from the user. Examples of the operation input device 400 include a personal computer (PC).

  By connecting the information input device 400 to the STB 100 via a network, it is possible to input information to the STB 100 even when the user is not at the place where the STB 100 is installed.

  In FIG. 2, the information input device 400 and the STB 100 are illustrated as separate apparatuses, but the STB 100 may have the same information input function as the information input device 400. In such a case, examples of the operation input unit include a mouse and a keyboard. Further, it may be an operation input unit that can be remotely operated, such as a remote controller.

(External server 600)
The external server 600 is a recording device that includes a storage unit that stores firmware data, and is connected to the STB 100 via a network.

  The network connecting the external server 600 and the firmware update system 500 is not limited to a specific type or form. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication network, etc. can be used. Further, the transmission medium is not limited to a specific configuration or type. For example, it may be wired such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, and ADSL line, or may be infrared such as IrDA or remote control, or wireless such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

  Also, the external server device 600 may be a recording medium connected to the STB 100 without going through a network. That is, for example, it may be an SD card, a USB memory, an optical disk such as a CD, a DVD or a BD, or a magnetic disk such as a hard disk. In addition, a PC connected to the STB 100 via the router 300 may include the above-described recording medium.

(Broadcasting station 700)
The broadcast station 700 is a base station having equipment for transmitting digital broadcast waves. The standard for digital broadcasting transmitted from the broadcasting station 700 is not particularly limited. That is, it may be an ISDB-T standard, a DVB-T standard, or an ATSC standard. Moreover, the standard which improved these standards may be sufficient.

(Operation of firmware update system 500)
Next, firmware update processing in the firmware update system 500 will be described.

  The STB 100 acquires firmware data desired by the user from the external server 600 via the network based on information input via the operation input device 400. The STB 100 synthesizes the acquired firmware data with a digital broadcast wave transmitted from the broadcast station 700, and supplies it to the television 200 via the antenna line 10.

  When the television 200 receives a digital broadcast wave including firmware data, the television 200 extracts the firmware data from the received digital broadcast wave, and updates the firmware data. Thereby, the firmware update of the television 200 is completed.

  Hereinafter, the firmware data supply process in the STB 100 will be described in more detail.

(Configuration of STB100)
Next, the configuration of the STB 100 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the STB 100.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the STB 100 includes an RF receiving unit 110, a communication unit 111, a control unit 112, a PSI / SI generation unit 113, a firmware data creation unit 114, a data recording unit 115, a multiplexing processing unit 116, and a modulation unit 117. , A mixing unit 118 and an RF transmission unit 119 are provided. The members constituting the STB 100 will be described below.

(RF receiver 110)
An RF (Radio Frequency) receiving unit 110 captures the received digital broadcast wave into the STB 100 from an antenna that has received the digital broadcast wave transmitted from the broadcast station 700 (FIG. 2).

(Communication unit 111)
The communication unit 111 acquires data transmitted from an external device (for example, the information input device 400 or the external server 600 in FIG. 2) via the network, and transmits the data to the external device via the network. .

(Control unit 112)
The control unit 112 controls overall firmware data supply processing in the STB 100.

(PSI / SI generator 113)
The PSI / SI generating unit 113 creates PSI / SI (program identification information / program arrangement information) based on information input via the information input device 400.

  PSI (Program Specific Information) created in the PSI / SI generator 113 is standardized by the MPEG2 system (ISO / IEC13818-1, ITU-TH.220.0), and a required program is selected. It is necessary information to do. PSI has four tables: PAT (Program Association Table), PMT (Program Map Table), NIT (Network Information Table) and CAT (Conditional Access Table). Consists of.

  In addition, SI (program sequence information; Service Information) created by the PSI / SI generating unit 113 is defined by ARIB STD-B10, and is information defined for the convenience of program selection. SI is SDT (Service Description Table), EIT (Event Information Table), BIT (Broadcaster Information Table), TOT (Time Offset Table), and SDTT (Software Download Trigger Table). ) And other tables.

  Note that the PSI / SI generation unit 113 does not have to create all the tables described above and the tables defined in the above standards. That is, the PSI / SI generation unit 113 may create an SDTT and a table in which the TS created in the STB 100 is recognized as a program on the television 200.

(Firmware data creation unit 114)
The firmware data creation unit 114 creates firmware data based on information input via the information input device 400. Specifically, in the firmware data creation unit 114, source code created in a predetermined description language (for example, C language) is input to the information input device 400 (UI (User Interface) design, background image, etc.). Firmware data is created using a program that converts to

(Data recording unit 115)
The data recording unit 115 is a memory that records video data, audio data, and the like. Although FIG. 1 illustrates the case where the data recording unit 115 is built in the STB 100, it is of course not limited thereto. For example, an external memory provided outside the STB 100 may be used, or a memory connected to the STB 100 via a network may be used.

(Multiplexing processing unit 116)
The multiplexing processing unit 116 creates a TS (Transport Stream, MPEG2 transport stream) by multiplexing the data.

  For example, the TS is created by multiplexing the video data read from the data recording unit 115 and the PSI / SI created by the PSI / SI generating unit 114. In addition, the TS is created by multiplexing the video data read from the data recording unit 115 and the firmware data creation unit 114 or the firmware data acquired by the communication unit 110. What data is multiplexed in the multiplexing processing unit 116 can be appropriately set according to the TS to be transmitted.

(Modulation unit 117)
The modulation unit 117 modulates a carrier wave (carrier) generated by a carrier wave generator (not shown) using the same modulation method as the digital broadcast received by the RF receiver 110. At this time, the modulation unit 117 modulates the carrier wave into a modulated wave having a frequency band (channel) different from that of digital broadcasting.

  In other words, the modulation unit 117 converts the TS signal created in the multiplexing processing unit 116 into an OFDM signal that can be demodulated in the television 200, and further converts the converted OFDM signal into an RF signal (generated RF signal). The modulation unit 117 makes the frequency band (channel) of the generated RF signal obtained at this time different from the frequency band of the RF signal (broadcast RF signal) in the existing broadcast.

  Of course, the digital modulation method for converting the TS signal into the OFDM signal in the modulation unit 117 is not limited to the OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) modulation, and can be appropriately changed according to the television 200.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the frequency band (channel) of the generated RF signal is automatically set according to the region where the STB 100 is installed. The frequency band to be used may be set based on, for example, a digital broadcast wave received by the RF reception unit 110, or the STB 100 may acquire information on an empty channel via a network. Further, the setting may be made based on the IP address of the network, or when the STB 100 includes a GPS (Global Positioning System), the setting is made based on the position information (latitude / longitude information) acquired by the GPS. You may make it do.

(Synthesizer 118)
The synthesizer 118 synthesizes the generated RF signal converted by the modulator 117 with the broadcast RF signal received by the RF receiver 110.

  Thereby, the TS created in the multiplexing processing unit 116 is handled in the same manner as the TS transmitted from the broadcasting station. That is, the user can view the TS created in the multiplexing processing unit 116 by selecting a channel on the television 200.

(RF transmitter 119)
The RF transmission unit 119 transmits the RF signal synthesized by the synthesis unit 118 to the television 200 using the antenna line 10 (FIG. 2).

(Firmware data supply processing in STB 100)
Next, the operation of the STB 100 in the firmware data supply process will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing firmware data supply processing in the STB 100.

  When the STB 100 enters the execution processing mode of the firmware update process of the television 200, the control unit 112 instructs the PSI / SI generation unit 113 to generate PSI / SI.

  Upon receiving an instruction from the control unit 112, the PSI / SI generation unit 113 notifies the television 200 of download schedule information and the like based on the information input via the information input device 400. Table) is generated (step S1). Details of SDTT will be described in detail below.

  Subsequently, the multiplexing processing unit 116 multiplexes the generated PSI / SI and the data read from the data recording unit 115, and creates a TS signal including SDTT (step S2). The data multiplexed with the PSI / SI in the multiplexing processing unit 116 is not particularly limited. That is, the multiplexing processing unit 116 may multiplex PSI / SI and video data, or may multiplex PSI / SI and audio data. Three or more data may be multiplexed. Note that the data to be multiplexed by the multiplexing processing unit 116 may be predetermined data or data selected by the user.

  Next, the modulation unit 117 converts the TS signal including the SDTT into an RF signal (generated RF signal) having a predetermined frequency (step S3). Then, the synthesizer 118 synthesizes the generated RF signal with the RF signal (broadcast RF signal) received by the RF receiver 110 (step S4). The RF transmission unit 119 transmits the generated RF signal combined with the broadcast RF signal to the television 200 via the antenna line 10 (step S5). That is, the SDTT is transmitted to the television 200.

  Subsequently, at the timing given to the schedule information in the previously transmitted SDTT, the control unit 112 instructs the communication unit 111 to acquire firmware data based on the information input via the information input device 400.

  Receiving the instruction, the communication unit 111 acquires firmware data from the external server 600 via the network (step S6). The multiplexing processing unit 116 multiplexes the acquired firmware data with the data read from the recording unit 115, and creates a TS signal including the firmware data (step S7). Note that the data to be multiplexed with the firmware data in the multiplexing processing unit 116 is not particularly limited as described above.

  Next, the modulation unit 117 converts the TS signal including firmware data into a predetermined generated RF signal (step S8). Then, the synthesizer 118 synthesizes the generated RF signal with the broadcast RF signal received by the RF receiver 110 (step S9). The RF transmission unit 119 transmits the generated RF signal combined with the broadcast RF signal to the television 200 via the antenna line 10 (step S10). That is, the firmware data is transmitted to the television 200. Thus, the firmware data supply process in the STB 100 is completed.

  In the above-described firmware data supply process, a case of forced type in which firmware data is forcibly downloaded has been described as an example of the download form. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The download mode may be a selection type in which firmware is downloaded based on user selection. In this case, whether or not download is possible may be determined based on an operation input by a user using a remote controller or the like, or may be determined based on an instruction set in advance on the television 200. In addition to the selection type, a download type such as a notification type in which the television 200 is started up and downloaded based on schedule information when a normal program is not viewed may be used.

  Further, the STB 100 may be switched to the firmware data supply mode based on an instruction from the information input device 400, or may be switched upon receiving notification of new firmware data from the external server device 600.

(Advantages of STB100)
As described above, the STB 100 acquires firmware data, converts a TS signal including the acquired firmware data into a generated RF signal having a frequency band different from a predetermined broadcast RF signal, and converts the converted generated RF signal to an antenna. Transmission to television 200 using line 10.

  As a result, the STB 100 can transmit firmware data to the television 200 without using the frequency band of the broadcast radio wave. Therefore, the STB 100 can reliably supply firmware data to the television 200 without being influenced by the state of the digital broadcast wave reception state even when the network is not used.

  Also, the STB 100 transmits firmware to the television 200 based on schedule information in SDTT transmitted prior to the firmware data.

  Thereby, the firmware data can be transmitted based on the schedule information in SDTT, and the television 200 can prepare to acquire firmware data based on the transmitted SDTT.

  Further, the STB 100 can avoid forcing the user to perform a complicated operation of instructing to start the supply of firmware data every time the firmware data is supplied.

  Further, the STB 100 can synthesize the RF signal created in its own device with the RF signal received through broadcasting and transmit it to the television 200.

  As a result, the STB 100 can reliably supply firmware data to the television 200 having only one RF signal input interface regardless of the state of the digital broadcast wave reception state.

  Further, the STB 100 can acquire firmware data based on information input via the information input device 400.

  As a result, the STB 100 can supply firmware data desired by the user to the television 200. That is, different firmware data can be supplied for each television 200 according to the user's wishes.

  Further, since the STB 100 acquires the firmware data to be supplied via the network, it is not necessary to include a storage unit that stores the firmware data in the own device. Thereby, the cost required for manufacturing the STB 100 can be reduced.

  Furthermore, by acquiring firmware data via a network, it is possible to easily acquire the latest firmware data and to reliably acquire firmware data.

(Details of SDTT)
Here, details of the SDTT generated by the PSI / SI generation unit 113 will be described. SDTT is one of SIs, and is a table that is transmitted to notify the television 200 of firmware data download notification information.

  The SDTT is defined by ARIB STD-B21. The SDTT includes schedule information regarding firmware data download, firmware manufacturer identification ID (maker_id), model identification ID (model_id) of the TV 200, group identification ID (group_id), and A version identification ID (version_id) is assigned. These identification IDs are preferably given based on information input in advance via the information input device 400.

  As the schedule information, a download (that is, supply of firmware data from the STB 100 to the television 200) start time, a distribution continuation time, and the like are given. That is, the STB 100 starts supplying firmware data to the television 200 when the download start time assigned to the previously transmitted SDTT is reached. When the distribution continuation time is reached, the supply of firmware data is terminated. Therefore, the STB 100 continues to transmit the generated RF signal including the firmware data to the broadcast RF signal until the distribution continuation time is reached.

  In addition, information related to download such as the download form described above is also included in the SDTT.

(Modification)
In the firmware data supply process described above, the case where the firmware data acquired via the network is supplied to the television 200 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, firmware data to be supplied by the firmware data creation unit 114 may be created based on information input via the information input device 400.

  In this case, the process in step S6 in FIG. 3 is replaced with a process for creating firmware data.

  As described above, the firmware data creation unit 114 creates the firmware data based on the information input via the information input device 400, so that even if the firmware data desired by the user does not exist, the user data Based on the input information, firmware data desired by the user can be created.

  That is, original firmware data can be supplied for each television 200 according to the user's wishes.

  The firmware data created by the firmware data creation unit 114 may be stored in a firmware data storage unit (not shown) in the STB 100. Thus, when the same information as the previously created firmware data is input, the firmware data can be read from the firmware data storage unit, so that the creation of firmware data can be made unnecessary.

(Firmware update process in TV 200)
Next, firmware update processing in the television 200 supplied with firmware data from the STB 100 will be described.

  When the RF receiving unit in the television 200 receives the generated RF signal transmitted from the STB 100 via the antenna line 10, the demodulating unit demodulates the firmware data from the generated RF signal. Then, the firmware update processing unit executes firmware update in the television 200 based on the demodulated firmware data.

  Note that when receiving the firmware data, the television 200 preferably changes the channel to a channel through which firmware data is transmitted based on the previously received SDTT. The channel change may be performed automatically, or the channel change may be notified to the user, and the user may manually switch the channel.

(Program and recording medium)
Finally, the control unit 112, the PSI / SI generation unit 113, the firmware data creation unit 114, the multiplexing processing unit 116, the modulation unit 117, and the synthesis unit 118 (hereinafter referred to as firmware data collectively including these members) included in the STB 100. The supply unit) may be configured by hardware logic. Alternatively, it may be realized by software using a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as follows.

  That is, the firmware data supply unit includes a CPU such as an MPU that executes instructions of a program that realizes each function, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores the program, and a RAM (Random Access) that expands the program into an executable format. Memory) and a storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data.

  The object of the present invention is not limited to the case where the program is stored in the program memory of the firmware data supply unit. The program code of the program (execution format program, intermediate code program, or source program) is recorded. This can also be achieved by supplying a recording medium to the STB 100 and reading and executing the program code recorded on the recording medium.

  The recording medium is not limited to a specific structure or type. That is, the recording medium includes, for example, a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk / hard disk, and an optical disk such as a CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. System, a card system such as an IC card (including a memory card) / optical card, or a semiconductor memory system such as a mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM.

  Further, even if the firmware data supply unit (or STB 100) is configured to be connectable to a communication network, the object of the present invention can be achieved. In this case, the program code is supplied to the firmware data supply unit via the communication network. The communication network is not limited to a specific type or form as long as it can supply the program code to the firmware data supply unit. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication network, etc. may be used.

  The transmission medium constituting the communication network may be any medium that can transmit the program code, and is not limited to a specific configuration or type. For example, even with wired lines such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) line, infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth (registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone It can also be used by radio such as a telephone network, a satellite line, and a terrestrial digital network. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

(Additional notes)
The PSI / SI created by the PSI / SI creating unit 113 may be transmitted based on the operation method defined in the ARIB TR-B14 first volume (1/2). Specifically, it may be performed based on the operation shown below.

  (1) A service of “engineering service type (0xA4)” is arranged in the service list descriptor of the NIT second loop arrangement.

  (2) The data_component_id of the PMT data encoding method descriptor is 0x0009 (ARIB-data download method). Also, Additional_data_component_info is not sent.

  (3) When the engineering service is transmitted by a single TS, the service_id of the engineering service is operated with the same ID value nationwide. However, when time difference transmission is performed from a plurality of TSs, service_id is allocated for each schedule. The network_id and transport_stream_id values are values for each network to be transmitted.

  (4) The original_network_id and transport_stream_id values described in the NIT, PAT, and BIT indicating the engineering service transmitted in the network are values for each network to be transmitted. In transmission path designations A and B specified in 5.3.1.2 “Operation of SDTT”, the original_network_id and transport_stream_id values in the SDTT are values specific to terrestrial digital television broadcasting.

  (5) PCR may not be sent out in engineering services.

  (6) The PMT retransmission period of the engineering service is allowed up to 1 second.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the PSI / SI generation unit 113 generates PSI / SI is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the STB 100 may be configured to acquire PSI / SI generated in an external device.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope shown in the claims. That is, embodiments obtained by combining technical means appropriately modified within the scope of the claims are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The firmware data supply apparatus according to the present invention can be suitably used as a set-top box that can reliably supply firmware to a television receiver that does not have a network connection function.

It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of STB which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the firmware update system containing STB which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the firmware supply process in STB which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

10 Antenna line 100 Set-top box (firmware supply device)
110 RF receiver (receiver)
111 Communication unit (acquisition means)
112 Control Unit 113 PSI / SI Generation Unit 114 Firmware Data Creation Unit 115 Data Recording Unit 116 Multiplexing Processing Unit 117 Modulation Unit 118 Combining Unit 119 RF Transmitting Unit (Transmission Unit)
200 Television receiver (digital broadcast receiver)
300 router 400 information input device 500 firmware update system 600 external server 700 broadcast station

Claims (11)

A firmware data supply device that supplies firmware data to a digital broadcast receiver that receives digital broadcasts,
Modulation means for generating a modulated wave in which the firmware data is superimposed on a channel different from a channel on which content is superimposed in the digital broadcast by modulating a carrier wave using the same modulation method as the digital broadcast;
Transmission means for transmitting the modulated wave to the digital broadcast receiver;
A firmware data supply device comprising: The modulation means generates a modulated wave on which schedule information indicating a firmware data transmission schedule is superimposed in addition to the firmware data,
2. The firmware data supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission means transmits a modulated wave on which the schedule information is superimposed to the digital broadcast receiver. Receiving means for receiving the digital broadcast;
The firmware data supply apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a combining unit configured to combine the modulated wave with the digital broadcast received by the receiving unit. It further comprises an acquisition means for acquiring firmware data via a network,
4. The firmware data supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the modulation unit generates a modulated wave on which the firmware data acquired by the acquisition unit is superimposed. 5. Of the plurality of firmware data stored in the storage unit, further comprising an acquisition means for acquiring firmware data selected by the user using the information input device,
4. The firmware data supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the modulation unit generates a modulated wave on which the firmware data acquired by the acquisition unit is superimposed. 5. Firmware data creating means for creating firmware data based on information input by a user using an information input device;
4. The firmware data supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the modulation unit generates a modulated wave on which the firmware data created by the firmware data creation unit is superimposed. 5.   7. The firmware data supply apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the information input device is connected via a network. A firmware data supply method in a firmware data supply apparatus that supplies firmware data to a digital broadcast receiver that receives digital broadcasts,
A modulation step of generating a modulated wave in which the firmware data is superimposed on a channel different from a channel on which content is superimposed in the digital broadcast by modulating a carrier wave using the same modulation method as the digital broadcast;
A transmission step of transmitting the modulated wave to the digital broadcast receiver;
A firmware data supply method comprising: A firmware update system comprising a digital broadcast receiver that receives a digital broadcast and a firmware data supply device that supplies firmware data to the digital broadcast receiver,
The firmware data supply device is
Modulation means for generating a modulated wave in which the firmware data is superimposed on a channel different from a channel on which content is superimposed in the digital broadcast by modulating a carrier wave using the same modulation method as the digital broadcast;
Transmission means for transmitting the modulated wave to the digital broadcast receiver;
With
The above digital broadcast receiver
Receiver-side receiving means for receiving a modulated wave transmitted from the firmware data supply device;
Demodulating means for demodulating the modulated wave received by the receiver side receiving means;
A firmware update system comprising: update means for updating firmware in the digital broadcast receiver based on firmware data demodulated by the demodulation means.   8. A program for operating the firmware data supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the program causes a computer to function as each of the above-described means.   A computer-readable recording medium in which the program according to claim 10 is recorded.

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