JP2000035888A - Communication terminal and communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce trouble and cost which are needed for the updation of a service program that makes a processing means execute a fault diagnosis, repair, etc., in a communication terminal. SOLUTION: A karaoke terminal 3 has a ROM 22 and the ROM 22 stores a service program which makes a CPU 20 execute processing that checks and repairs the failure, etc., of a hard disk drive 24. The drive 24 stores an area where an application program which makes the CPU 20 carry out karaoke play processing, etc., is stored and the service program which makes the CPU 20 execute processing that checks and repairs the failure, etc., of the terminal 3. In the case of updating the service program, a new service program transmitted from a public line network 2 is inputted to the CPU 20 through a communication interface 28 and the CPU 20 writes the new service program in the drive 24.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a communication terminal storing a service program for causing a computer to execute a failure diagnosis and a repair, and a communication system including the communication terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there is a so-called karaoke apparatus having a communication function, and a karaoke apparatus as a terminal performs a performance based on music data transmitted from a host station via a communication network. Is widespread. In such a communication karaoke system, when a new application program, such as a karaoke performance processing program or a singing score program, is supplied to a karaoke apparatus as each terminal, a new application program data is transmitted from the center station via a communication network. I have. The karaoke device, which is a terminal, receives the application program and stores it in a hard disk device or the like.

[0003]

In the communication karaoke system as described above, a service program for causing a computer to execute a failure diagnosis, an inspection, a repair of a karaoke apparatus, a test for an application program, and a failure diagnosis is performed by a karaoke system. RO in the device
M, and could not be rewritten. Therefore, even when a new application program is transmitted from the host station via the communication network as described above, the service program for executing the test, failure diagnosis, and the like for the application program needs to be updated in the karaoke apparatus. It was necessary to replace the ROM with a ROM storing a new service program. For this reason, updating the service program was troublesome and costly. In addition, since the ROM has a smaller capacity than a hard disk or the like, the service program cannot be stored when the service program requires a large storage area.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can reduce the labor and cost involved in updating a service program that causes a processing unit to execute failure diagnosis and repair. It is an object to provide a communication terminal capable of storing a large-capacity service program, and a communication system including the communication terminal.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication terminal for receiving data transmitted through a communication network. Magnetic storage means having a first area for storing a program and a second area for storing a service program, a non-volatile memory for storing a service program related to the magnetic storage means, and An application program, the service program, or a processing unit that performs processing according to a service program related to the magnetic storage unit stored in the nonvolatile memory, and when a service program transmitted via a communication network is received, The received service program is written in the second area of the magnetic storage means. It is characterized by comprising a writing means for writing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the communication terminal according to the first aspect, the nonvolatile memory is a rewritable flash memory, and the magnetic memory transmitted through a communication network. When a service program related to the magnetic storage unit is received, the writing unit writes the received service program related to the magnetic storage unit to the nonvolatile memory.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the communication terminal according to the first or second aspect, execution of processing according to the application program, the service program, or a service program related to the magnetic storage unit is started. Input means for instructing the processing means, wherein the processing means executes processing according to the application program when a processing start instruction is input from the input means according to a first processing procedure; When a processing start instruction is input from the input means in a second processing procedure different from the first processing procedure, processing according to the service program or a service program relating to the magnetic storage means is executed.

The communication system according to claim 4 is
A communication terminal for receiving data transmitted via a communication network, wherein the first area stores a predetermined application program and the second area stores a service program.
Magnetic storage means having a region of: a non-volatile memory for storing a service program for the magnetic storage means;
Processing means for executing processing according to the application program stored in the magnetic storage means, the service program, or a service program related to the magnetic storage means stored in the nonvolatile memory;
When a service program transmitted via a communication network is received, a communication terminal having writing means for writing the received service program in a second area of the magnetic storage means, and a communication network connected to the communication terminal. And a data transmission device for transmitting a service program via the data transmission device.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. A. Communication System First, FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a case where the communication system to which the present invention is applied is a communication karaoke system will be described. . In the figure, reference numeral 1 indicates a center station (data transmission device) of the communication karaoke system. A plurality of karaoke terminals (communication terminals) 3 are connected to the center 1 via a public telephone network (communication network) 2 such as a public telephone line or ISDN. An application program and a service program described later can be distributed to the terminal 3.

B. Next, the karaoke terminal 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the karaoke terminal 3 has a CPU (processing means, writing means) 2 for controlling each unit of the apparatus according to various programs such as an application program and a service program.
0 is provided. The CPU 20 transmits the R
An OM (non-volatile memory) 22, a RAM 23, a hard disk device (magnetic storage unit) 24, a display unit 25, an operation unit (input unit) 26, a sound source device 27, and a communication interface 28 are connected.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ROM 22 stores a starting program required to start the karaoke terminal. The ROM 22 also stores an initialization program P1 for initializing the hard disk drive 24, an HDD inspection program P2 for inspecting the hard disk drive 24, and the like, in addition to the above-described boot program. These initialization program P1 and HDD
The inspection program P2 is a service program that performs an inspection process, an initialization process, and the like on the hard disk device 24 shown in FIG. The RAM 23 is used for temporarily storing the above-described program data and karaoke song data.

[0012] As shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 4 denotes an application storage area (first area) 24a for storing application programs and a karaoke music storage area 24b for storing a large number of karaoke music data.
And a service storage area (second area) 24c for storing a service program. Normally, when the power of the karaoke terminal 3 is turned on, the start-up program stored in the ROM 22 shown in FIG. 1 is read out, whereby the application program stored in the application storage area 24a is loaded into the RAM 23. ing. When the karaoke song number is designated by the user, the designated karaoke song data is read from the karaoke song storage area 24b under the control performed by the CPU 20 in accordance with the application program loaded into the RAM 23, and is loaded into the RAM 23. You. The service program stored in the service storage area 24c includes a failure diagnosis program P3 for testing whether the processing executed by the CPU 20 according to such an application program is being executed normally, and a processing according to the application program being normal. A restoration program P4 for causing the CPU 20 to execute a restoration process when the program is not executed is stored.

In FIG. 1, an operation unit 26 includes various key switches such as a numeric keypad and a mode switching key. The user operates these switches to input a song number of a karaoke song to be reserved. be able to. As described above, when the power of the karaoke terminal 3 is turned on, the application program stored in the hard disk drive 24 is loaded into the RAM 23 and the karaoke performance process is started. By performing special key operations, the hard disk drive 2
4 or the service program from ROM 22 to RAM 2
3 and a service program such as failure diagnosis is executed. As described above, in the present embodiment, the activation method for performing the normal karaoke performance processing is different from the activation method for executing the service program such as failure diagnosis. According to the present embodiment, a special key operation is required at the time of starting the service program, so that an erroneous operation in which the service program is erroneously executed at normal times can be reduced. Note that a dedicated switch or the like for executing the service program may be provided in the operation unit 26, and the service program may be executed by pressing this switch. In this case, it is preferable to provide a dedicated switch with a cover or the like to reduce the possibility of being pressed by mistake.

The tone generator 27 generates a tone signal based on tone data included in the karaoke song data. The karaoke music data loaded in the RAM 23 is sequentially input to the sound source device 27, whereby the sound source device 27 sequentially generates a tone signal, and outputs the generated tone signal to the speaker 2.
9 is output. The speaker 29 converts the tone signal generated by the sound source device 27 into analog data, amplifies the analog signal, and emits the amplified signal, whereby a performance corresponding to the karaoke music data is performed.

The display unit 25 has a monitor, and outputs an image read from a CD-ROM or the like to a monitor when performing karaoke. At this time, the video displayed on the monitor includes
Lyrics based on the lyrics data included in the karaoke song data are synthesized and output. When an abnormality occurs in the karaoke terminal 3, the content of the abnormality is displayed.

Data transmitted from the public line network 2 to the karaoke terminal 3 is transmitted via the communication interface 28 to the RA.
M23 and the hard disk drive 24.

C. Operation of Karaoke Terminal Next, the operation of the karaoke terminal 3 having the above configuration will be described. C-1. Service Program Delivery Process First, a service program delivery process for writing a service program transmitted from the center 1 via the public line network 2 to the service storage area 24c of the hard disk drive 24 will be described. As described above, the service program data including the service program is transmitted from the center 1 via the public line network 2 to the karaoke terminal 3. As described above, in the header of the service program data transmitted from the center 1, the types of programs such as the above-described failure diagnosis program P3 and the repair program P4 are written.

The service program data transmitted from the center 1 is sent to the CPU via the communication interface 28.
20. The CPU 20 specifies an area in which the service program is to be written from the header of the input service program data, and writes the service program in the service storage area 24c of the hard disk drive 24. For example, when the transmitted service program is the failure diagnosis program P3, the newly transmitted failure diagnosis program P3 is overwritten on the failure diagnosis program P3 already written in the service storage area 24c. Thus, the service program stored in the hard disk drive 24 is updated.

In the communication karaoke system according to the present embodiment, service programs other than the service program related to the hard disk drive 24 are stored in the rewritable hard disk drive 24. What is necessary is just to transmit a service program via the public line network 2. In the conventional karaoke apparatus, the service program is stored in the ROM. Therefore, when the service program is updated, it is necessary to exchange the ROM. However, the karaoke terminal 3 does not need to perform such an operation. Service programs can be updated easily and at low cost. Further, in the related art, there are cases where updating of a service program is difficult or impossible, and the degree of freedom in changing a new application program or adding a peripheral device is sometimes limited. However, in this karaoke terminal 3,
Since the service program can be updated easily and at low cost, the degree of freedom in changing the application program and adding peripheral devices is increased.

As described above, not only the service program data transmitted from the center 1 via the public network 2 but also the service program data stored in a CD-ROM or the like by a CD-ROM drive or the like (not shown). The service program may be read to update the service program stored in the hard disk drive 24.

Further, in the present embodiment, a case has been described in which a service program is already stored in the service storage area 24c of the hard disk drive 24, and the stored service program is rewritten with a new service program to be transmitted. Alternatively, a service program transmitted via the public line network 2 may be written in a state where no service program is stored in the service storage area 24c. Further, in addition to the service program already stored in the service storage area 24c, a service program transmitted via the public line network 2 may be written.

C-2. Recovery Process When Karaoke Terminal Is Abnormal Next, a recovery process in the case where some abnormality occurs when the karaoke terminal 3 is started will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, first, when the power of the karaoke terminal 3 is turned on by the user, the start-up program stored in the ROM 22 is read (step Sa1).
Thereafter, if no abnormality occurs in the karaoke terminal 3 (step Sa2), the application program stored in the application storage area 24a of the hard disk drive 24 is loaded into the RAM 23, and normal karaoke performance processing is performed (step Sa3). ).

On the other hand, if an abnormality has occurred in the karaoke terminal 3 (step Sa2), it is determined whether or not the abnormality is an abnormality relating to the hard disk drive 24 (step Sa4). Here, when it is determined that the abnormality is related to the hard disk device 24, the CPU
The HDD inspection program P2 stored in the HDD 2 is executed (step Sa5), and the contents of the abnormality in the hard disk drive 24 are checked. When the contents of the abnormality are confirmed, the confirmed contents are displayed on the monitor of the display unit 25 (step Sa6).

Thereafter, when the abnormal content displayed on the monitor of the display unit 25 is not damage to the hard disk device 24 itself, for example, when stored data is destroyed, the CPU 20 executes the initialization program P1. Then, the hard disk drive 24 is initialized (step Sa7). Thereafter, it is confirmed whether the initialization of the hard disk drive 24 has been completed normally (step Sa8). If the initialization has been completed normally, the CD-ROM storing the backup data of the hard disk drive 24 is replaced with the CD-ROM. The backup data is read by a drive (not shown) and written to the hard disk drive 24 (step Sa9). Thus, the hard disk drive 24
The recovery process for the abnormality of is ended. On the other hand, if the initialization of the hard disk drive 24 is not possible, the display 25
Is displayed on the monitor (step Sa10). When the message that the repair is impossible is displayed, for example, when the hard disk drive 24 itself is damaged, a request is made to the karaoke terminal 3 manufacturer or repair company for repair.

Thus, the hard disk drive 24
After the recovery process of step S is performed, it is determined whether or not an abnormality other than the hard disk device 24 has occurred (step S).
a11). Here, if no other abnormality has occurred, the application program is loaded from the hard disk device 24 into the RAM 23, and normal karaoke performance processing is performed (step Sa3).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step Sa9 that there is an abnormality other than the hard disk drive 24, the CPU
20 executes the failure diagnosis program P3 stored in the hard disk drive 24 (step Sa12).
When the failure diagnosis program P3 is executed, a failure diagnosis is performed for each unit other than the hard disk device 24 of the karaoke terminal 3, and the display unit 25 displays the details of the abnormality on a monitor (step Sa13).

Then, the restoration program P4 stored in the hard disk drive 24 is executed, and a step Sa13 is executed.
A repair process is performed on the details of the abnormality diagnosed in (Step Sa14). Then, when the abnormality is repaired by the repair processing based on the repair program P4 (Step Sa1)
5) A normal karaoke performance process is executed (step Sa3). If restoration by the restoration program P4 is not possible, a message to that effect is displayed on the monitor of the display unit 25 (step Sa16). In this case, the user needs to request the karaoke terminal 3 manufacturer or repair company for repair.

When the karaoke terminal 3 is activated (step Sa1), if the abnormality that has occurred is something other than the hard disk drive 24 (step Sa4),
The CPU 20 executes the processing from step Sa12 onward.

As described above, the karaoke terminal 3 stores the service program in the hard disk drive 24, so that the area for storing the service program can be increased as compared with the conventional apparatus in which the service program is stored in the ROM. It is possible. That is, a large-capacity service program can be stored. But R
When the service program is stored in the hard disk drive 24 which is more likely to cause a failure or the like as compared to the OM or the like, an abnormality such as data corruption of the hard disk drive 24 may occur. In consideration of this point, in the karaoke terminal 3, the hard disk drive 24
The related service program is stored in the ROM 22. As a result, even when the data in the hard disk drive 24 is destroyed, the recovery processing of the hard disk drive 24 can be performed as described above. After restoring the hard disk drive 24, the service program stored in the hard disk drive 24 can be executed, and processing such as restoration can be performed even for failures other than the hard disk drive 24.

The karaoke terminal 3 performs the above-described recovery process in the event of an abnormality. The user operates the operation unit 26 to execute the initialization program P1, the HDD inspection program P2, the failure diagnosis according to the flowchart shown in FIG. The program P3, the restoration program P4, etc. may be executed, respectively, or a restoration processing program for causing the CPU 20 to execute the above-described restoration processing in the ROM 22 is stored. The above-described restoration processing may be performed according to a processing program.

Even when no abnormality has occurred in the karaoke terminal 3, the user operates the operation section 26 to allow the initialization program P1 and the HDD inspection program P1 to operate.
2. Failure diagnosis program P3 and repair program P4
And the like can be executed by the CPU 20.

D. Modification Example A rewritable flash memory may be used instead of the ROM 22 in the above-described embodiment.
This makes it possible to rewrite the service program for the hard disk device 24 stored in the flash memory. Thus, when the service program data relating to the hard disk device 24 is distributed from the center 1 to the karaoke terminal 3, the service program stored in the flash memory is updated, so that it is possible to reduce the labor and cost involved in updating the service program.

[0033]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the service program can be updated by rewriting the service program stored in the magnetic storage means, it is possible to reduce the labor and cost required for updating the service program that causes the processing means to perform failure diagnosis and repair. It is. Further, since the service program is stored in the magnetic storage means, a large-capacity service program can be stored.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a karaoke terminal in the communication system.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a ROM which is a component of the karaoke terminal.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a hard disk device which is a component of the karaoke terminal.

FIG. 5 shows a case where an abnormality occurs in the karaoke terminal.
It is a flow chart which shows an example of restoration processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Center (data transmission apparatus), 2 ... Public line network (communication network), 3 ... Karaoke terminal (communication terminal), 20 ... CPU
(Processing means, writing means), 21 bus, 22 ROM
(Non-volatile memory), 23 RAM, 24 hard disk drive, 24a application storage area (first
), 24c ... service storage area (second area), 25 ... display unit, 26 ... operation unit (input means), 27
... sound source device, 28 ... communication interface, 29 ... speaker

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A communication terminal for receiving data transmitted via a communication network, comprising: a first area for storing a predetermined application program; and a second area for storing a service program. A non-volatile memory storing a service program related to the magnetic storage unit; and the application program stored in the magnetic storage unit, the service program, or a service program stored in the non-volatile memory related to the magnetic storage unit. Processing means for executing the processing according to the above, and writing means for writing the received service program in the second area of the magnetic storage means when the service program transmitted through the communication network is received. A communication terminal, characterized in that: 2. The non-volatile memory is a rewritable flash memory. When a service program related to the magnetic storage unit transmitted via a communication network is received, the writing unit stores the program in the non-volatile memory. The communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein a service program for the received magnetic storage unit is written. 3. An input unit for instructing the processing unit to start executing a process according to the application program, the service program, or a service program related to the magnetic storage unit, wherein the processing unit performs the first processing. When a processing start instruction is input from the input means by a procedure, processing according to the application program is executed, and a processing start instruction is input from the input means by a second processing procedure different from the first processing procedure. And executing a process according to the service program or a service program related to the magnetic storage unit.
Or the communication terminal according to 2. 4. A communication terminal for receiving data transmitted via a communication network, said magnetic storage means having a first area for storing a predetermined application program and a second area for storing a service program. And a non-volatile memory storing a service program related to the magnetic storage means, and the application program, the service program stored in the magnetic storage means, or a service program related to the magnetic storage means stored in the non-volatile memory. A communication unit comprising: a processing unit for performing a process according to the first embodiment; and a writing unit for writing the received service program in a second area of the magnetic storage unit when a service program transmitted via a communication network is received. A service provider to the communication terminal via a communication network. Communication system characterized by comprising a data transmitting apparatus for transmitting grams.