JP2002157136A - Electronic apparatus with program function, program data correction device, and program data correction system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a program data correction system for a microcomputer- controlled electronic apparatus without unnecessarily increasing the capacity of a nonvolatile memory in the electronic apparatus. SOLUTION: When a television receiver 1 is connected to a program data correction device 5 and power supply to the receiver 1 is turned on, a CPU(central processing unit) 2a of a microcomputer 2 in the receiver 1 works according to a program stored in a program ROM(read only memory) 2c and writes an ID(identification) number denoting the version of the program in the nonvolatile memory 3 in the receiver 1. The correction device 5 accesses the memory 3 in the receiver 1 to read the ID number, and writes correction data corresponding to the ID number in the memory 3 in the receiver 1. The correction data written in a correction data area 3b of the memory 3 are used in place of data of a defective portion in the program, thereby conrolling a system in the receiver 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic device equipped with a microcomputer having a program data correction function (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) and a nonvolatile memory having a storage area for correction data, and a nonvolatile memory of the electronic device. The present invention relates to a program data correction device that writes correction data according to a version of a program into a memory, and a program data correction system including these electronic devices and the program data correction device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various electronic devices have been controlled by microcomputers as the number of microcomputers has been reduced and spread. A microcomputer mounted on such an electronic device is generally a so-called one-chip microcomputer in which a CPU, a memory, and the like are incorporated in one chip.

[0003] Usually, when manufacturing such a microcomputer,
It is necessary to complete the program a certain period before the time when an unchangeable final product called a mask product is made. Usually, it takes several weeks to several months for masking after the completion of the program. However, during this period, a defect such as a change in the program due to a change in the hardware configuration or a bug in the program is often found.

In such a case, it is general to correct a masked program by using a program data correction function called a ROM correction. R
The OM correction is a function of storing correction data in a non-volatile memory and using it instead of data of a defective portion in a masked program. The method is performed by hardware and a program built in the microcomputer, that is, the function of the microcomputer hardware corresponding to the ROM collection by storing the correction data of the address of the part to be corrected or corrected in the program in the nonvolatile memory. And a method of changing data at a corresponding address in a program using a program, or storing a program in which a defective portion is replaced with correction data in a non-volatile memory, reading the program into the RAM, and using the RAM area as a program area. There are methods to use as if.

In any case, the correction data stored in the non-volatile memory is data dedicated to the program to be corrected, and therefore must always be paired with the program. When the program is upgraded, the correction data stored in the nonvolatile memory for the previous program must not function.

Conventionally, an ID number such as a version number is stored as data in a program of a microcomputer, and data stored in a nonvolatile memory is stored in the microcomputer in addition to correction data. In this case, the same ID number is stored. Before reading the correction data, it is checked whether the ID number stored in the program of the microcomputer is equal to the ID number stored in the nonvolatile memory. It was read as it was and the data was corrected.

As described above, since the nonvolatile memory and the program must always be paired, for example, when switching the version of the microcomputer program, several types of the microcomputer and the nonvolatile memory are prepared, and the combination of the microcomputer and the nonvolatile memory is further prepared. There is also a problem that management is required, which makes it difficult to manage at a manufacturing site, and that even when a service is used, a nonvolatile memory suitable for each version must be supplied.

In order to solve these problems, in a program data correction system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-265391, a plurality of versions of corrected data are associated with an ID number in a nonvolatile memory in correspondence with a version of a CPU. Is compared with an ID number indicating a CPU-specific version stored in a program ROM storing an operation procedure of the CPU. According to the address stored together with the ID number, the ID number paired with the correction data of another version is read out and further collated, and the program is corrected only when the ID numbers match. ing. According to the above method, it is not necessary to switch between the microcomputer and the nonvolatile memory at the same time when using the ROM correction, and it is not necessary to prepare the same number of nonvolatile memories as the number of program versions.

[0009]

However, according to the technology described in the above publication, a plurality of versions of correction data are paired with ID numbers in a nonvolatile memory built in the electronic device main body in correspondence with the version of the microcomputer. Since it is necessary to store the non-volatile memory, there is a problem that a non-volatile memory having a significantly larger capacity is required as compared with the originally required amount of correction data.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and it is not necessary to switch between a microcomputer and a nonvolatile memory at the same time when using a ROM correction, and to reduce the number of program versions. The purpose of the present invention is to realize a program data correction system that does not need to prepare the same number of nonvolatile memories as described above, without unnecessarily increasing the capacity of the nonvolatile memory arranged in the electronic device. And

[0011]

The present invention has the following configuration to achieve the above object. An electronic device with a program function according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a CPU,
A program ROM storing a program executed by the PU and version information of the program, a writable nonvolatile memory having a storage area for the version information of the program and correction data, and an external device accessing the nonvolatile memory An interface for reading the version information and writing the correction data, wherein the CPU operates in accordance with the program to write version information of the program to the nonvolatile memory; Executing a process using the correction data stored in the dynamic memory.

A program data correction device according to a second aspect of the present invention is a program data correction device for writing the correction data in the nonvolatile memory of the electronic device, and for accessing the nonvolatile memory. And a correction data storage memory for storing correction data of a plurality of programs in association with version information of each program, and reading out the version information written in the nonvolatile memory, And a function of reading the correction data corresponding to the above from the correction data storage memory and writing the same to the nonvolatile memory.

[0013] A program data correction system according to a third aspect of the present invention includes the electronic device and the program data correction device.

With the above-described configuration, in the electronic device according to the first aspect, the CPU operates in accordance with the program stored in the program ROM, and the version information of the program is stored in the nonvolatile device in the electronic device. Since the data is written into the memory, an external device for correcting program data is connected to the electronic device, and the version information written in the non-volatile memory in the electronic device can be read to obtain the version information of the program. Correction data corresponding to the version information can be written to the nonvolatile memory. Electronic equipment CPU
Can write only the correction data of the program to be actually executed in the nonvolatile memory, so that a nonvolatile memory having a capacity corresponding to the originally required amount of correction data can be used. Thereafter, the correction data stored in the non-volatile memory is used instead of the data of the defective portion in the masked program.

A program data correction device according to a second aspect reads a version information by accessing a nonvolatile memory in the electronic device, and stores correction data corresponding to the version information in the nonvolatile memory in the electronic device. Write. Therefore, by using this program data correction device, it is possible to easily write only the correction data of the program actually executed by the CPU of the electronic device into the nonvolatile memory. Thus, a nonvolatile memory having a capacity corresponding to the data amount of the correction data to be used can be used.

According to the program data correction system of the third aspect, by connecting the program data correction device to the electronic device, the CPU of the electronic device can be controlled.
Can easily write only the correction data of the program actually executed in the nonvolatile memory. Therefore, a nonvolatile memory having a capacity corresponding to the data amount of the correction data originally required can be used as the nonvolatile memory of the electronic device.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a program data correction system according to the present invention. Here, a program data correction system of a television receiver, which is one of electronic devices incorporating a microcomputer, will be described as an example. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a television receiver (hereinafter, referred to as a television receiver), and reference numeral 5 denotes a program data correction device.

The television receiver 1 includes a microcomputer 2 and a rewritable nonvolatile memory 3. One of an external device connection I / F connector (hereinafter simply referred to as a connector) 4 which is an interface (hereinafter referred to as an I / F) for connecting the program data correction device 5 to the television receiver 1. Connector element 4a is provided. The connector element 4a of the television receiver 1
Is connected to the other connector element 4b on the program data correction device 5 side.

The microcomputer 2 includes a CPU 2a, a RAM 2b,
This is a one-chip microcomputer in which the program ROM 2c and the I / F 2d are formed on one substrate. CPU2
a is mutually connected to the RAM 2b, the program ROM 2c, and the I / F 2d by the internal bus 2e of the microcomputer 2. The I / F 2d is connected to the nonvolatile memory 3 and the connector element 4a by the external bus 6.

The CPU 2a accesses the non-volatile memory 3 via the I / F 2d, the external bus 6, etc., and exchanges signals with the program data correction device 5 connected by the connector 4.

The operation procedure of the CPU 2a is stored as a program in the program ROM 2c, similar to a normal computer, and the CPU 2a reads this program and executes a predetermined operation according to the instruction. Also,
In a predetermined area of the program ROM 2c, ID number information (version information) indicating the version of the program is provided.
Is written in advance.

The nonvolatile memory 3 has an ID number area 3a
, A correction data area 3b, and a system data area 3c, and necessary data is stored in each area. The ID number area 3a is a storage area for ID number information written by the CPU 2a. The correction data area 3b is a storage area for correction data written by the program data correction device 5. The system data area 3c is a storage area for various data necessary for the television receiver 1 to operate.

The program data correction device 5 includes a CPU 5
a, a RAM 5b, a ROM 5c, a memory 5d for storing correction data, and an I / F 5e. The CPU 5a is mutually connected to a RAM 5b, a program ROM 5c, a memory 5d for storing correction data, and an I / F 5e via a system bus 5f in the program data correction device 5. The connector cable 7 is connected to the I / F 5e. At the end of the connector cable 7, a connector element 4b is provided. The CPU 5a stores the I / F 5e, the connector 4, and the like in the nonvolatile memory 3 in the television receiver 1.
Access is made via the external bus 6 or the like.

The operation procedure of the CPU 5a is stored as a program in the program ROM 5c.
a reads this program and executes a predetermined operation according to the instruction.

The correction data storage memory 5d stores correction data of a plurality of programs having different versions in association with ID number information of each program.

Next, the operation of the program data correction system according to this embodiment configured as described above will be described. When performing program correction of the microcomputer 2 incorporated in the television receiver 1, the connector element 4 b of the program data correction device 5 is connected to the connector element 4 a of the television receiver 1.

In this state, when the operation of activating the microcomputer 2 is performed, for example, when the power of the television receiver 1 is turned on, the CPU 2a in the microcomputer 2 reads out the ID number information written in the program ROM 2c, and the I / F 2d The ID number information is written to the ID number area 3a of the nonvolatile memory 3 via the.

On the other hand, the program data correction device 5 executes the program in the program ROM 5c,
e, the ID number information is read from the ID number area 3a of the nonvolatile memory 3 via the connector 4 and the like, and an ID number matching the ID number information is selected from a plurality of pieces of correction data stored in the correction data storage memory 5d. And writes the corrected data to the corrected data area 3b of the nonvolatile memory 3 via the I / F 5e, the connector 4, and the like.

When the writing of the correction data to the nonvolatile memory 3 is completed, the connector element 4b of the program data correction device 5 is removed from the connector element 4a of the television receiver 1.

Thereafter, when the microcomputer 2 of the television receiver 1 is restarted and the program stored in the program ROM 2c is executed by the CPU 2a, the program is written into the correction data area 3b of the nonvolatile memory 3 by the above-described writing process. The correction data is used instead of the data of the defective part in the program, and the system of the television receiver 1 is controlled.

As described above, in the program data correction system of this embodiment, the version of the program is indicated by the CPU 2a of the microcomputer 2 in the television receiver 1 operating according to the program stored in the program ROM 2c. The ID number information is written in the non-volatile memory 3 in the television receiver 1, and the program data correction device 5 accesses the non-volatile memory 3 in the television receiver 1 to read out the ID number information, and corresponds to the ID number. Since the correction data is configured to be written to the nonvolatile memory 3 in the television receiver 1, only the correction data of the program currently executed by the CPU 2a of the television receiver 1 can be easily written to the nonvolatile memory 3.

In the above example, the correction data of a plurality of programs of different versions are stored in the correction data storage memory 5d of the program data correction device 5, but these correction data are stored in the program ROM 5c. The correction data storage memory 5d may be omitted.

The electronic device to be corrected is not limited to a television receiver. The present invention can be applied to various electric devices such as a VTR, a CD player, an air conditioner, a refrigerator, a washing machine, a microwave oven, and a video game machine.

[0034]

As described above, the following excellent effects can be obtained. In the electronic device with the program function according to the gist of the first invention, the version information of the program is written to the nonvolatile memory in the electronic device by the CPU operating according to the program stored in the program ROM. By connecting an external device for program data correction to the electronic device and reading out the version information written in the non-volatile memory in the electronic device, the program version information can be obtained, and the version information and the corresponding correction data can be obtained. Can be written to the non-volatile memory. Since only the correction data of the program actually executed by the CPU of the electronic device can be written into the nonvolatile memory, a nonvolatile memory having a capacity corresponding to the originally required amount of correction data can be used.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program data correction device which accesses a non-volatile memory in the electronic device to read version information, and stores correction data corresponding to the version information in the non-volatile memory in the electronic device. Since the data is written into the memory, by using this program data correction device, it is possible to easily write only the correction data of the program actually executed by the CPU of the electronic device into the nonvolatile memory, and as the nonvolatile memory of the electronic device. Thus, a nonvolatile memory having a capacity corresponding to the originally required amount of correction data can be used.

According to the program data correction system according to the third aspect of the present invention, by connecting the program data correction device to the electronic device, only the correction data of the program currently executed by the CPU of the electronic device can be obtained. Since the data can be easily written in the non-volatile memory, the non-volatile memory of the electronic device can use a non-volatile memory having a capacity corresponding to the originally required amount of correction data.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a program data correction system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Television receiver 2: Microcomputer 2a: CPU 2c: Program ROM 2d: Interface 3: Non-volatile memory 3a: ID number area (storage area for version information) 3b: Corrected data area (storage area for corrected data) 4 : External device connection interface connector (interface) 5: Program data correction device 5 d: Correction data storage memory

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A CPU, a program ROM storing a program executed by the CPU and version information of the program, a writable nonvolatile memory having a storage area for the version information of the program and correction data, An interface for an external device to access the non-volatile memory to read the version information and write the correction data, wherein the CPU operates in accordance with the program so that the version information of the program is An electronic device with a program function, which performs a process of writing to a non-volatile memory and a process of using correction data stored in the non-volatile memory. 2. A program data correction device for writing the correction data to the non-volatile memory of the electronic device according to claim 1, wherein: an interface for accessing the non-volatile memory; A memory for storing correction data that is stored in association with version information of each program; reads version information written in the nonvolatile memory; and stores correction data corresponding to the version information for storing the correction data. A program data correction device for reading from a memory and writing to the non-volatile memory. 3. A program data correction system comprising the electronic device according to claim 1 and the program data correction device according to claim 2.