JPH11259305A - Remote program downloading device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To resume download processing even if a download processing program area in operation is destroyed because a failure such as power supply disconnection during downloading occurs by transferring the download processing program to a download processing program area on a nonvolatile memory. SOLUTION: When a download starting means 110 is in a 'state 1', an old download processing program is started and a new download processing program is downloaded to a non-download processing program area. When it is in a 'state 2', the new download processing program stored in the non-download processing program area is transferred to a download processing program area. When it is in a 'state 3', the new download processing program is started and a non-download processing program is downloaded. Thus, even if a failure occurs in the middle of downloading, it is possible to perform download processing with the download processing program that is active in a state when the failure occurs.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote program download apparatus (international patent classification G06F 9/45) for remotely upgrading software versions of products connected to a network via a digital transmission path.
5).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, even in a so-called embedded microcomputer control system in which program codes are arranged in a ROM, the program size has been increasing along with the complexity of the target system. Software maintenance has become an important issue.
In order to solve this problem, among products using such an embedded microcomputer control system, products with wireless / wired digital transmission lines, such as digital satellite broadcast receivers and digital CATV broadcast receivers, Software maintenance may be performed by downloading a program via a transmission path. The configuration of a conventional remote software download device is described in the remote software download method of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-158703, and is realized by the configuration shown in FIG.

In FIG. 9, reference numeral 901 denotes a non-volatile memory such as a flash ROM for working and standby, and 902 denotes a DRAM.
903, a program storage means for storing a program in a non-volatile memory 901 in an executable form; 904, data reception for receiving a data packet transmitted from a transmitter of a transmission side system via a digital transmission path. Means 905 interpret this data packet,
Work memory 902 stores program management information such as program location address information and size information and the program itself.
The program acquisition means 906 that reads the program into the work memory 90
2, a program activation unit 907 which activates the program storage unit 903, stores the program, and completes the download, and a download activation unit 907 detects a program download request from an operator via an input device such as a remote controller, and downloads the program activation unit 906. This is an event input means for making an activation request to the user.

The operation of the conventional remote program download device configured as described above will be described below. When the operator instructs the download of the program by pressing the remote controller, event input means 907
Detects a program download request and issues a start request to the download start means 906.

[0005] Next, the download activating means 906 activates the program acquiring means 905 and the program acquiring means 9
In step 05, the program packet is extracted from the data packet using the data receiving means 904, and the program packet is read into the work memory 902.

Next, the download initiating means 906 activates the program storing means 903 to transfer the program body of the program packet from the work memory 902 to the non-volatile memory 901 based on the address information and the size information in the program packet from the work memory 902. To be stored. However, in the event of various failures such as power failure during the download process, the non-volatile memory is destroyed and the system does not operate.Therefore, a spare non-volatile memory is provided. It is devised to make it happen.

[0007]

However, the conventional remote program download device configured as described above has a problem that a spare nonvolatile memory is required and the cost of the product is increased. This is a serious problem particularly in consumer electronic products such as digital satellite broadcasting receivers.

In order to solve this problem, the current nonvolatile memory is replaced with a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as a flash ROM, and the spare nonvolatile memory is replaced with a mask R.
It consists of non-rewritable nonvolatile memory such as OM,
Although a method of suppressing an increase in the cost of the spare nonvolatile memory is conceivable, this method cannot solve a fundamental problem because maintenance of a program stored in the spare nonvolatile memory is impossible.

Further, a method is conceivable in which a program that can only be downloaded is stored in the spare nonvolatile memory to reduce the size of the spare nonvolatile memory and suppress the cost increase of the spare nonvolatile memory. However, if a program for performing a download process such as a digital satellite broadcast receiver has a high specific gravity, this problem cannot be solved.

[0010]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a remote program download device according to the present invention comprises:
The download starting means starts the download processing program and downloads the program to be downloaded or starts the program transfer means and transfers the program according to the state specified by the state management means. Things.

According to the present invention, a temporary download processing program is provided by utilizing a non-download processing program area which does not need to operate during download, and various states during download processing are strictly managed. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a low-cost remote-program-resistant remote program download apparatus that does not require an extra download processing area when the download processing program area is destroyed.

[0012]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a download processing program is first downloaded in accordance with an instruction from an operator, and then the download processing program is transferred to a download processing program area. It is characterized by using this download processing program to download programs other than download processing. By managing programs that can always perform download processing, failures such as power interruption during download can be avoided. Even if the generated download processing program area is destroyed, the download processing program stored in the non-download processing program area can be transferred to restart the download processing.

Next, the invention according to claim 2 of the present invention provides a program storage means for storing a program in a non-volatile memory such as a flash ROM in an executable form, and a transmission system for transmitting data via a digital transmission path. A data receiving means for receiving a data packet transmitted from the device, interpreting the data packet, and reading program management information such as arrangement address information and size information of a program having a designated program type and a program body into a memory Program acquisition means, program transfer means for transferring a program based on program management information, and EEP
State holding means for holding a state during a program download process using a non-volatile memory such as a ROM, and three states during the download processing for holding which program type a program is to be downloaded. In the case of the first state, the program type of the program to be downloaded is set as a download processing program for realizing a program storage unit, a data reception unit, and a program acquisition unit necessary for the program download process, and In the case of the state, it is assumed that there is no program to be downloaded. In the case of the third state, the state management means which sets the program type of the program to be downloaded to the non-download processing program, and the state holding means which holds the start request when the start request is received Download status is being processed In the first state, when there is a program to be downloaded identified by the state management means, the program acquisition means realized by the download processing program is started, and a program having a program type of the program to be downloaded is read into the memory. The program storage means is activated to store the program, and if there is no program to be downloaded, the program transfer means is activated to transfer the previously downloaded program. In the case of the state 2, the state shifts to the third state, and after the storage processing in the third state is completed, the download starting means for completing the state of the download processing, and the program download from the operator via an input device such as a remote controller. The request is detected and the download And an event inputting means for performing an operation, wherein the download starting means starts an active download processing program specified by the state managing means and downloads or transfers the program to be downloaded specified by the state managing means. Therefore, even if a failure such as a power failure occurs during download and the active download processing program area is destroyed, the download processing can be resumed by transferring the download processing program stored in the non-download processing program area. Has the effect of enabling

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the remote software download device according to the first aspect, the patch command transmitted from the transmission side system is executed to partially rewrite the program. By managing programs that can always perform download processing, even if a failure such as power failure occurs during download and the active download processing program area is destroyed, By transferring the download processing program stored in the download processing program area, the download processing can be restarted, and the difference can be changed by downloading only the patch command without downloading all the programs to be downloaded. Has the effect of .

Next, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the remote software download device according to the second aspect, wherein the data packet received by the data receiving means is a data packet for a patch command. ,
Patch command control means for interpreting the patch command and controlling partial rewriting of the program, wherein the download start means starts the active download processing program specified by the state management means, and By downloading or transferring the program to be downloaded identified by the means,
Even if a failure such as a power failure occurs during download and the active download processing program area is destroyed, the download processing can be resumed by transferring the download processing program stored in the non-download processing program area. Moreover, there is an effect that the difference can be changed by downloading only the patch command without downloading all the programs to be downloaded.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the remote software download device according to the first aspect, the memory operation command transmitted from the transmission side system is executed, and the result is transmitted to the transmission side system. By managing programs that can always perform download processing, even if a failure such as power failure occurs during download and the active download processing program area is destroyed, By transferring the download processing program stored in the non-download processing program area, the download processing can be restarted, and further, there is an effect that the memory operation of the receiving system can be performed from the transmission system side.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a remote software download apparatus according to the second aspect, further comprising: a data transmitting means for transmitting data via a data transmitter such as a modem; When the data packet received by the receiving unit is a data packet for a memory operation command, the memory operation unit interprets the memory operation command, performs a memory operation, and transmits the result to the transmission side system via the data transmission unit. The download starting means starts an active download processing program specified by the state management means, and downloads or transfers the program to be specified specified by the state management means. Download processing pro Even if the ram area is destroyed, the download processing can be resumed by transferring the download processing program stored in the non-download processing program area, and the transmission system can operate the memory of the receiving system. It has the action of:

(Embodiment 1) An embodiment of the present invention described in claims 1 and 2 of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. FIG.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a flash RO.
M and 102 are work memories such as DRAMs, 103 is a program storing means for storing programs in a flash ROM 101 in an executable form, and 104 is a device for receiving data packets transmitted from a transmitter of a transmitting system via a digital transmission path. The data receiving means 105 interprets the data packet and stores the program management information such as the placement address information and the size information of the program having the designated program type and the program body in the work memory 1.
02, a program acquisition unit for transferring a program based on program management information, 107, an EEPROM, 108, an EEPROM
State holding means for holding a state during the download processing of the program by using 107; 109, a program storage means 103 necessary for the download processing of the program;
The state holding unit 108 determines which download processing program is to be activated among a plurality of download processing programs for realizing the data reception unit 104 and the program acquisition unit 105, and which program type is to be downloaded. In the first state, the program type of the program to be downloaded is determined by the program storage unit 103, the data reception unit 104, and the program acquisition unit 105 required for the program download process. A download processing program to be realized. In the second state, there is no program to be downloaded. In the third state, the program type of the program to be downloaded is a non-download processing program. When the start request is received, the management means 110 sets the state held by the state holding means 108 to the first state during the download processing, and if there is a program to be downloaded specified by the state management means 109, this is realized by the download processing program. The program having the program type of the program to be downloaded is read into the work memory 102, the program storage means 103 is started to store the program, and the program is transferred if there is no program to be downloaded. After activating the means 106 and transferring the previously downloaded program, the first state is shifted to the second state, and the second state is shifted to the third state,
A download start unit 111 for completing the state of the download process after the storage process in the third state is completed. A download start unit 111 detects a program download request from an operator via an input device such as a remote controller, and downloads the download start unit 11.
Event input means for making a start request to 0.
Actually, in addition to this, a means for excluding competition of various resources when the download process is performed during the operation of the system is required, but is omitted because it is not the main object of the present invention.

The operation of the apparatus according to the first embodiment configured as described above will be described below. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the structure of a data packet flowing through a digital transmission path when the remote program download device according to the first embodiment of the present invention downloads a program. FIG. When the remote program download device downloads a program, flash R in each state during downloading
It is explanatory drawing which shows the allocation situation of OM101 (capacity 1M byte). As shown in FIG.
01 is a boot processing program area from the address 0h to the address FFFFh (a program for performing various types of initialization processing, the download start unit 110 and the state holding unit 108).
And a program area necessary for realizing the state management means 109) A download processing program area from address 10000h to address 5FFFFh (programs necessary for realizing the program storage means 103, the data reception means 104, and the program acquisition means 105) And program areas necessary to realize various functions inherent in the product such as a digital video reception processing program closely related to these download processing programs), 60000h
The area from the address to the address FFFFFh is a non-download processing program area (a program necessary to realize various functions inherent in the product such as a font data program having a low relation with the download processing program, and an event input means 111). Necessary program area).

When the operator presses the remote controller and issues a program download instruction, the event input means 1
11 detects a program download request and issues a start request to the download start means 110. Next, the download activation unit 110 changes the state held by the state holding unit 108 from the normal state to “state 1” during the download process, and the state management unit 109 sets the current state as shown in “state 1” in FIG. The old download processing program stored in the download processing area is the active download processing program, and the program type of the program to be downloaded is the download processing program (the bold line in the figure indicates the active download processing program, and the dotted line indicates the active download processing program). Indicates the program to download). As a result, the program required to realize the program storage unit 103, the data reception unit 104, and the program acquisition unit 105 that operate thereafter becomes the old download processing program.

Next, the download activating means 110 activates the program acquiring means 105 and the program acquiring means 1
In step 05, the program packet is extracted from the data packet using the data receiving means 104, and the program packet of the download processing program whose program type is shown in FIG. Next, the download activating means 110 activates the program storing means 103 and stores the program main body in the non-download processing program area of the flash ROM 101 based on the address information, the size information and the offset information in the program packet. The state held by 108 is set to “state 2” during download processing, and the state management unit 109 sets an active download processing program and a state in which there is no program to be downloaded as shown in “state 2” in FIG. (Because the new download processing program stored in the non-download processing program area with the offset added is located in an area different from the address where it should be originally located, it cannot be operated as it is.) Starting means 1
10 activates the program transfer means 106 because there is no program to be downloaded, and
06 transfers the new download processing program stored in the non-download processing program area to the download processing program area, and sets the state held by the state holding means 108 to “state 3” during the download processing. As shown in “State 3” of No. 3, the new download processing program transferred to the download processing program area is set as the active download processing program, and the program type of the program to be downloaded is set as the non-download processing program. As a result, a program required to realize the program storage unit 103, the data reception unit 104, and the program acquisition unit 105 that operate thereafter becomes a new download processing program.

Next, the download activating means 110 activates the program acquiring means 105 and the program acquiring means 1
In step 05, the program packet is extracted from the data packet using the data receiving means 104, and the program packet of the non-download processing program whose program type is shown in FIG.
Next, the download activating means 110 activates the program storing means 103 and stores the program body in the non-download processing program area of the flash ROM 101 based on the "address information" and "size information" in the program packet, and holds the state. The state held by the means 108 is a normal state.

The processing flow of the download activating means 110 according to the first embodiment which operates as described above will be described below.

(1) It is started from the event input unit 111 which has detected a program download request.

(2) A program download request is usually generated by an external event such as an instruction from an operator, but is generated at the time of system startup processing when a failure occurs during the download processing. If the event occurs due to an external event, the state during the download process is set to “state 1”.

(3) If the status during the download process is "status 1", go to (4); if it is "status 2", go to (7).
If “state 3”, go to (9).

(4) The old download processing program stored in the download processing program area is set as the active download processing program, and the program type of the program to be downloaded is set as the download processing program.

(5) A program packet is extracted from the received data packet, and a program packet whose program type is a download processing program is read into the work memory 102.

(6) The main body of the program is stored in the non-download processing program area of the flash ROM 101 based on the "address information", "size information", and offset information in the program packet, and the state of the download processing is changed to "state 2". And go to (3).

(7) There is no active download processing program and no program to be downloaded.

(8) The new download processing program stored in the non-download processing program area is transferred to the download processing program area, the state during the download processing is set to “state 3”, and the process proceeds to (3).

(9) The new download processing program transferred to the download processing program area is defined as an active download processing program, and the program type of the program to be downloaded is defined as a non-download processing program.

(10) A program packet is extracted from the received data packet, and a program packet having a program type of a non-download processing program is read into the work memory 102.

(11) The main body of the program is stored in the non-download processing program area of the flash ROM 101 based on the "address information" and the "size information" in the program packet, and the state during the download processing is released.

As described above, in the remote program download device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when the download activating means 110 is in the “state 1”, the old download processing program is activated and the new download processing program is subjected to the non-download processing. Download to the program area, transfer the new download processing program stored in the non-download processing program area to the download processing program area in "State 2", and start the new download processing program in "State 3" By downloading the non-download processing program, even if a failure occurs during the download, the download start unit 110 uses the download processing program that was active at the time of the failure to perform the download processing. It is possible to perform.

In the first embodiment, the reading into the memory by the program obtaining means 105 and the storing into the flash ROM by the program storing means 103 are performed at one time. May be performed separately. The state transition performed by the download activation unit 110 is performed continuously. However, in order to reduce the number of man-hours for system testing by performing the same operation as when a failure occurs during the download processing, the state transition must be performed at all times. The system may be rebooted.

Further, although the area management on the flash ROM is statically determined, it may be dynamically determined based on "address information", "size information" and offset information in a program packet.

(Embodiment 2) An embodiment of the present invention described in claims 3 and 4 of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 401 denotes a flash RO.
M and 402 are work memories such as a DRAM, 403 is a program storage means for storing a program in a flash ROM 401 in an executable form, and 404 receives a data packet transmitted from a transmitter of a transmission side system via a digital transmission path. The data receiving means 405 interprets the data packet and obtains a program that reads the program management information such as the location “address information” and “size information” of the program having the specified program type and the program body into the work memory 402. Means, 406
Is a program transfer means for transferring a program based on program management information, 407 is an EEPROM, and 408 is an E
A state holding unit 409 for holding a state during the program download processing using the EPROM 407, and a plurality of downloads 409 for implementing the program storage unit 403, the data reception unit 404, and the program acquisition unit 405 required for the program download process Among the processing programs, which download processing program is activated and which program type is to be downloaded are managed in three states during the download processing held by the state holding means 408, and the first state is stored in the first state. In this case, the program type of the program to be downloaded is set as a download processing program for realizing the program storage unit 403, the data reception unit 404, and the program acquisition unit 405 necessary for the program download processing. In the case of the state, there is no program to be downloaded, and in the case of the third state, the state management means 408 sets the program type of the program to be downloaded to the non-download processing program. Is the first state during the download processing, and the state management unit 409
If there is a program to be downloaded specified by the user, the program acquisition means realized by the download processing program is started, a program having the program type of the program to be downloaded is read into the work memory 402, and the program storage means 403 is started. If the program is stored, and there is no program to be downloaded, the program transfer means 406 is activated to transfer the previously downloaded program, and then the first state is the second state, and the second state is the second state. Shifts to the third state, and download start means 411 that completes the state of the download processing after the storage processing in the third state is completed. 411 detects a program download request from the operator via an input device such as a remote controller. , For the download starting means 410 Event input means for performing the dynamic request,
Reference numeral 412 denotes a patch command control unit that interprets the patch command when the data packet received by the data reception unit 404 is a data packet for a patch command, and performs partial program rewriting control. Actually, in addition to this, a means for excluding competition of various resources when the download process is performed during the operation of the system is required, but is omitted because it is not the main object of the present invention.

The operation of the apparatus according to the second embodiment configured as described above will be described below. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the structure of a data packet flowing through a digital transmission path when the remote program download device according to the second embodiment of the present invention downloads a program. FIG. When the remote program download device downloads a program, flash R in each state during downloading
It is explanatory drawing which shows the allocation situation of OM401 (capacity 1M byte). As shown in FIG.
01 is a boot processing program area from address 0h to address FFFFh (a program for performing various types of initialization processing, download start means 410 and state holding means 408).
And a program area necessary for realizing the state management means 409), and from 40000h to 5FFFFh are download processing program areas (programs necessary for realizing the program storage means 403, the data reception means 404, and the program acquisition means 405). And program areas necessary to realize various functions inherent in the product such as a digital video reception processing program closely related to these download processing programs), 60000h
The area from the address to the address FFFFFh is a non-download processing program area (a program required to realize various functions inherent in the product such as a font data program having a low relation with the download processing program, and an event input unit 411). Necessary program area).

When an operator gives a program download instruction by pressing the remote controller, the event input means 4
11 detects a program download request and issues an activation request to the download activation means 410. Next, the download activation unit 410 changes the state held by the state holding unit 408 from the normal state to “state 1” during the download process, and the state management unit 409 determines the current state as shown in “state 1” in FIG. The old download processing program stored in the download processing area is the active download processing program, and the program type of the program to be downloaded is the download processing program (the bold line in the figure indicates the active download processing program, and the dotted line indicates the active download processing program). Indicates the program to download). As a result, the program required to realize the program storage unit 403, the data reception unit 404, and the program acquisition unit 405 that operate thereafter becomes the old download processing program.

Next, the download starting means 410 starts the program obtaining means 405 and the program obtaining means 4
In step 05, the program packet is extracted from the data packet using the data receiving unit 404, and the program packet of the download processing program whose program type is shown in FIG. Next, the download start unit 410 starts the patch command control unit 412 because the received program packet is a patch command, and the patch command control unit 412
Stores the download processing program stored in the download processing program area based on the “address information” and “size information” in the program packet in the work memory 4.
02, the patch command is interpreted, the download processing program is partially rewritten on the work memory 402, the program storage means 403 is started, and “address information”, “size information”, and offset information in the program packet are activated. 6 is stored in the non-download processing program area of the flash ROM 401, and the state held by the state holding unit 408 is set to “state 2” during download processing. As shown in “State 2”, there is no active download processing program and no program to be downloaded. (Because the new download processing program stored in the non-download processing program area with the offset added is located in an area different from the address where it should be originally located, it cannot be operated as it is.) The activation unit 410 activates the program transfer unit 406 because there is no program to be downloaded, and the program transfer unit 406 transfers the new download processing program stored in the non-download processing program area to the download processing program area, and holds the state. The state held by the means 408 is referred to as “state 3” during download processing, and the state management means 409 actively downloads the new download processing program transferred to the download processing program area as shown in “state 3” in FIG. place The program type of the program to be downloaded is a non-download processing program. As a result, a program required to realize the program storage unit 403, the data reception unit 404, and the program acquisition unit 405 that operate thereafter becomes a new download processing program.

Next, the download starting means 410 starts the program obtaining means 405 and the program obtaining means 4
In step 05, the program packet is extracted from the data packet using the data receiving means 404, and the program packet of the non-download processing program whose program type is shown in FIG.
Next, the download activating means 410 activates the program storing means 403 and stores the program itself in the non-download processing program area of the flash ROM 401 based on the "address information" and "size information" in the program packet, and holds the state. The state held by the means 408 is a normal state.

The processing flow of the download starting means 410 according to the second embodiment which operates as described above will be described below.

(1) The program is started from the event input unit 411 that has detected a program download request.

(2) The program download request is usually generated by an external event such as an instruction from the operator, but when a failure occurs during the download processing, it is generated at the time of system startup processing. If the event occurs due to an external event, the state during the download process is set to “state 1”.

(3) If the status during the download process is "status 1", go to (4); if it is "status 2", go to (7).
If “state 3”, go to (9).

(4) The old download processing program stored in the download processing program area is set as the active download processing program, and the program type of the program to be downloaded is set as the download processing program.

(5) A program packet is extracted from the received data packet, and a program packet whose program type is a download processing program is read into the work memory 402.

(6) The download processing program stored in the download processing program area is read into the work memory 402 based on the “address information” and “size information” in the program packet, the patch command is interpreted, and the download processing program is executed. Are partially rewritten (patched), stored in the non-download processing program area of the flash ROM 401, the state during the download processing is set to “state 2”, and the process proceeds to (3).

(7) There is no active download processing program and no program to be downloaded.

(8) The new download processing program stored in the non-download processing program area is transferred to the download processing program area, the state during the download processing is set to “state 3”, and the process proceeds to (3).

(9) The new download processing program transferred to the download processing program area is set as the active download processing program, and the program type of the program to be downloaded is set as the non-download processing program.

(10) A program packet is extracted from the received data packet, and a program packet whose program type is a non-download processing program is read into the work memory 102.

(11) The main body of the program is stored in the non-download processing program area of the flash ROM 401 based on the "address information" and "size information" in the program packet, and the state during the download processing is released.

As described above, in the remote program download device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, when the download start unit 410 is in the “state 1”, the old download processing program is started and the patch command of the download processing program is executed. The new download processing program created by the patch command control means 412 interpreting the patch command and partially rewriting the download processing program is stored in the non-download processing program area. The new download processing program stored in the non-download processing program area is transferred to the download processing program area. In the case of “state 3”, the new download processing program is started to download the non-download processing program. Thus, even if a failure occurs during the download, the download initiating means 410 can perform the download processing using the download processing program that was active at the time of the failure, and the new download processing program Can be changed by downloading only the patch command without downloading all the files.

In the second embodiment, the patch command is for the download processing program, but the download of the non-download processing program may be performed by the patch command. Although the instruction of the download request is given by the operator pressing the remote controller, the instruction may be automatically given by the instruction from the transmitting system.

(Embodiment 3) Embodiments of the present invention described in claims 5 and 6 of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 7, 8, and 3. FIG.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 701 denotes a flash RO
M and 702 are work memories such as a DRAM, 703 is a program storage means for storing a program in a flash ROM 701 in an executable form, and 704 receives a data packet transmitted from a transmitter of a transmission side system via a digital transmission path. The data receiving means 705 interprets the data packet and acquires the program management information such as the location of the program having the specified program type, such as “address information” and “size information”, and the program itself for reading the program body into the work memory 702. Means, 706
Is a program transfer means for transferring a program based on program management information, 707 is an EEPROM, and 708 is an E
A state holding unit for holding a state during the program download processing using the EPROM 707. A plurality of downloads 709 for realizing the program storage unit 703, the data reception unit 704, and the program acquisition unit 705 required for the program download processing Among the processing programs, which download processing program is to be activated and which program type is to be downloaded are managed in three states during the download processing held by the state holding unit 708, and the first state is stored in the first state. In this case, the program type of the program to be downloaded is a download processing program for realizing the program storage unit 703, the data reception unit 704, and the program acquisition unit 705 necessary for the program download process. In the case of the state, it is assumed that there is no program to be downloaded. In the case of the third state, the state management unit 710 sets the program type of the program to be downloaded to the non-download processing program. Is the first state during the download processing, and the state management unit 709
If there is a program to be downloaded specified by the user, the program acquisition unit realized by the download processing program is started, a program having the program type of the program to be downloaded is read into the work memory 702, and the program storage unit 703 is started. When the program is stored, and there is no program to be downloaded, the program transfer means 706 is activated to transfer the previously downloaded program, and then, in the first state, the second state, and in the second state, Indicates a third state, and download start means for completing the state of the download processing after the storage processing in the third state is completed. 711 detects a program download request from an operator via an input device such as a remote controller. , For download activation means 710 Event input means for performing the dynamic request,
712 is a data transmitting means for transmitting data via a data transmitter such as a modem, and 713 is a data receiving means 704.
If the received data packet is a data packet for a memory operation command, the memory operation command is interpreted and a memory operation is performed, and the result is transmitted to the data transmission unit 7.
This is a memory operation unit that transmits the data to the transmission side system via the transmission line 12. Actually, in addition to this, a means for excluding competition of various resources when the download process is performed during the operation of the system is required, but is omitted because it is not the main object of the present invention.

The operation of the thus configured apparatus of the third embodiment will be described below. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the structure of a data packet flowing through a digital transmission path when the remote program download device according to the third embodiment of the present invention downloads a program. FIG. When the remote program download device downloads a program, flash R in each state during downloading
It is explanatory drawing which shows the allocation situation of OM701 (capacity 1M byte). As shown in FIG.
01 is a boot processing program area from address 0h to address FFFFh (a program for performing various types of initialization processing, download activation means 710 and state holding means 708).
And a program area required to realize the state management means 709). The area from 10,000h to 5FFFFh is a download processing program area (a program required to realize the program storage means 703, the data reception means 704, and the program acquisition means 705). And program areas necessary to realize various functions inherent in the product such as a digital video reception processing program closely related to these download processing programs), 60000h
The area from the address to the address FFFFFh is a non-download processing program area (a program required to realize various functions inherent in the product such as a font data program having a low association with the download processing program and an event input means 711). Necessary program area).

When the operator instructs the download of the program by pressing the remote controller, the event input means 7
11 detects a program download request and issues a start request to the download start means 710. Next, the download activation unit 710 changes the state held by the state holding unit 708 from the normal state to “state 1” during the download process, and the state management unit 709 sets the current state as shown in “state 1” in FIG. The old download processing program stored in the download processing area is the active download processing program, and the program type of the program to be downloaded is the download processing program (the bold line in the figure indicates the active download processing program, and the dotted line indicates the active download processing program). Indicates the program to download). As a result, the program required to realize the program storage unit 703, the data reception unit 704, and the program acquisition unit 705 that operate thereafter becomes the old download processing program.

Next, the download starting means 710 starts the program obtaining means 705, and the program obtaining means 7
In step 05, the program packet is extracted from the data packet by using the data receiving unit 704, and the program packet of the download processing program whose program type is shown in FIG. Next, the download activating means 710 activates the program storing means 703 and stores the program body in the non-download processing program area of the flash ROM 701 based on "address information", "size information" and offset information in the program packet. The state held by the state holding unit 708 is referred to as “state 2” during download processing, and the state management unit 709 determines that there is no active download processing program and no state to download as shown in “state 2” in FIG. I do. (Because the new download processing program stored in the non-download processing program area with the offset added is located in an area different from the address where it should be originally located, it cannot be operated as it is.) The start unit 710 starts the program transfer unit 706 because there is no program to be downloaded, and the program transfer unit 706 transfers the new download processing program stored in the non-download processing program area to the download processing program area, and holds the state. The state held by the unit 708 is referred to as “state 3” during download processing, and the state management unit 709 actively downloads the new download processing program transferred to the download processing program area as shown in “state 3” in FIG. place And programs, and non-download processing program the program type of program to be downloaded. As a result, a program required to realize the program storage unit 703, the data reception unit 704, and the program acquisition unit 705 that operate thereafter becomes a new download processing program.

Next, the download starting means 710 starts the program obtaining means 705, and
In step 05, the program packet is extracted from the data packet by using the data receiving unit 704, and the program packet of the non-download processing program having the program type shown in FIG.
Next, the download activating means 710 activates the program storing means 703 to store the program itself in the non-download processing program area of the flash ROM 701 based on the "address information" and "size information" in the program packet, and retain the state. The state held by the means 708 is a normal state. Then, when the data receiving unit 704 receives the memory operation packet of FIG. 8C from the transmission side system, the memory operation unit 713 executes the memory operation to update the state variable, and transmits the update result as data. Activate the means 712 and transmit to the transmitting system.

The processing flow of download starting means 710 according to the third embodiment, which operates as described above, will be described below.

(1) The program is started from the event input unit 711 which has detected a program download request.

(2) The program download request is usually generated by an external event such as an instruction from the operator, but when a failure occurs during the download processing, it is generated at the time of system startup processing. If the event occurs due to an external event, the state during the download process is set to “state 1”.

(3) If the status during the download process is “status 1”, go to (4); if it is “status 2”, go to (7).
If “state 3”, go to (9).

(4) The old download processing program stored in the download processing program area is set as the active download processing program, and the program type of the program to be downloaded is set as the download processing program.

(5) A program packet is extracted from the received data packet, and a program packet whose program type is a download processing program is read into the work memory 102.

(6) The main body of the program is stored in the non-download processing program area of the flash ROM 701 based on the “address information”, “size information”, and offset information in the program packet, and the state of the download processing is changed to “state”. 2 "" and go to (3).

(7) There is no active download processing program and no program to be downloaded.

(8) The new download processing program stored in the non-download processing program area is transferred to the download processing program area, the state during the download processing is set to “state 3”, and the process proceeds to (3).

(9) The new download processing program transferred to the download processing program area is defined as an active download processing program, and the program type of the program to be downloaded is defined as a non-download processing program.

(10) A program packet is extracted from the received data packet, and a program packet whose program type is a non-download processing program is read into the work memory 702.

(11) The main body of the program is stored in the non-download processing program area of the flash ROM 701 based on the “address information” and “size information” in the program packet, and the state during the download processing is released.

(12) Receive the memory operation packet from the transmitting system, execute the memory operation, update the state variables, and transmit the update result to the transmitting system.

As described above, in the remote program download device according to the third embodiment of the present invention, when download start means 710 is in “state 1”, the old download processing program is started and the new download processing program is not downloaded. Download to the program area, transfer the new download processing program stored in the non-download processing program area to the download processing program area in "State 2", and start the new download processing program in "State 3" By downloading the non-download processing program, even if a failure occurs during the download, the download start unit 710 uses the download processing program that was active at the time of the failure to perform the download processing. That enables to perform, yet it is possible to perform memory updates and references, such as only the state variables not program.

In the third embodiment, the memory operation command is received together with the program packet, and the state variables are updated after being stored in the flash ROM 701. However, only the memory operation may be performed alone.

[0080]

In the remote program download apparatus according to the present invention, the download starting means starts the active download processing program specified by the state management means, and downloads or transfers the program to be downloaded specified by the state management means. By doing so, even if a failure such as a power failure occurs during download and the active download processing program area is destroyed, the download processing is resumed by transferring the download processing program stored in the non-download processing program area. It is possible to do. Moreover, in this case, since the download processing program is placed by utilizing the non-download processing program area which does not need to operate during the download, extra download processing is performed in case the download processing program area is destroyed. Since no area is required and there is no need to newly develop a download-only program, its practical effect is great.

In the remote program download device of the present invention, the download initiating / download invoking means activates the active download processing program specified by the state managing means, and downloads or transfers the program to be downloaded specified by the state managing means. By doing so, even if a failure such as a power failure occurs during download and the active download processing program area is destroyed, the download processing is resumed by transferring the download processing program stored in the non-download processing program area. It is possible to do.
Moreover, in this case, since the download processing program is placed by utilizing the non-download processing program area which does not need to operate during the download, extra download processing is performed in case the download processing program area is destroyed. No space is required, there is no need to newly develop and send a download-only program, and the difference can be changed by downloading only the patch command without downloading all the programs to be downloaded, reducing the amount of downloaded programs The practical effect is great.

In the remote program download device of the present invention, the download activating means activates the active download processing program specified by the state management means, and downloads or transfers the program to be downloaded specified by the state management means. Even if a failure such as a power failure occurs during download and the download processing program area in operation is destroyed,
By transferring the download processing program stored in the non-download processing program area, the download processing can be restarted.

Further, in this case, the non-download processing program area, which does not need to operate during downloading, is used to store the download processing program. No download processing area is required, there is no need to newly develop and transmit a download-only program, and more detailed software, such as changing state variables, can be changed from the transmitting system by operating the memory of the receiving system. The practical effect is great because maintenance is possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a remote program download device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data packet structure flowing through a digital transmission path when a remote program download device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention downloads a program.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a flash allocation state in each state during downloading when a remote program download device according to Embodiments 1 and 3 of the present invention downloads a program.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a remote program download device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data packet structure flowing through a digital transmission path when a remote program download device according to a second embodiment of the present invention downloads a program.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a flash allocation state in each state during downloading when a remote program download device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention downloads a program.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a remote program download device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data packet structure flowing through a digital transmission path when a remote program download device according to a third embodiment of the present invention downloads a program.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a message control device according to the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Flash ROM 102 Work memory 103 Program storage means 104 Data receiving means 105 Program acquisition means 106 Program transfer means 107 EEPROM 108 State holding means 109 State management means 110 Download starting means 111 Event input means 401 Flash ROM 402 Work memory 403 Program storage means 404 data receiving means 405 program acquiring means 406 program transferring means 407 EEPROM 408 state holding means 409 state managing means 410 download starting means 411 event input means 412 patch command controlling means 701 flash ROM 702 work memory 703 program storing means 704 data receiving means 705 Program acquisition means 706 Program transfer means 707 EEPROM 708 State holding means 709 State management means 710 Download start means 711 Event input means 712 Data transmission means 713 Memory operation means

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A download processing program is first downloaded to a non-volatile memory in accordance with an instruction from an operator, and then the download processing program is transferred to a download processing program area on the non-volatile memory. A remote program download device that downloads a program other than download processing from a transmission side system using the program. 2. A program storing means for storing a program in a non-volatile memory in an executable form; a data receiving means for receiving a data packet transmitted from a transmitter of a transmitting system via a digital transmission path; A program acquisition unit that interprets a data packet and reads program management information and a program body of a program having a specified program type into a memory, a program transfer unit that transfers a program based on the program management information, and a non-volatile memory And state management means for holding the state during the download processing of the program, and management of which program type is to be downloaded by three states during the download processing held by the state holding means. If the status is 1, the program to download The program type is a download processing program required for program download processing. In the second state, there is no program to be downloaded. In the third state, the program type of the program to be downloaded is set to non-download processing. A state management unit to be a program, and a state held by the state holding unit when the start request is accepted is set to the first state during download processing, and when there is a program to be downloaded specified by the state management unit, download processing is performed. Activate the program acquisition means realized by a program, read a program having a program type of a program to be downloaded into a memory, activate the program storage means to store the program, and if there is no program to be downloaded Is before Wherein after transferring the program previously downloaded to start the program transfer means, in the case of the first state and the second state,
In the case of the second state, the state shifts to the third state, and after the storing processing in the third state is completed, the download starting means for completing the state of the download processing, and a program download request from the operator is detected. A remote program download device comprising: an event input unit that issues an activation request to the download activation unit. 3. The remote program download device according to claim 1, wherein a patch command transmitted from the transmission side system is executed to partially rewrite the program. 4. When the data packet received by the data receiving means is a data packet for a patch command,
3. The remote program download device according to claim 2, further comprising a patch command control unit that interprets the patch command and controls partial rewriting of the program. 5. The remote program download device according to claim 1, wherein the memory operation command transmitted from the transmission side system is executed, and the result is transmitted to the transmission side system. 6. A data transmitting means for transmitting data via a data transmitter such as a modem, and interpreting the memory operation command when the data packet received by the data receiving means is a data packet for a memory operation command. 3. The remote program download device according to claim 2, further comprising a memory operation unit for performing a memory operation by performing a memory operation and transmitting a result to a transmission side system via a data transmission unit.