JP2003008458A - Information processing unit, method for starting the processing unit and program for starting the processing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multimedia personal computer that can solve a problem of taking much time for start and execution of a required function because other fundamental processing programs than a broadcast reception program are to be booted in addition to the broadcast reception program even when a user needs only a broadcast reception function of the personal computer. SOLUTION: The multimedia personal computer of this invention is provided with: a degeneration start program storage means that stores a degeneration start program for limiting booting of the fundamental processing programs while preferentially booting the broadcast reception program; and a degeneration start switch that reads the degeneration start program from the degeneration start program storage means to instruct it execution.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing device such as a personal computer having a function of receiving a broadcast, and more particularly to an information processing device for improving a startup time at the time of receiving a broadcast, a startup method and a startup program thereof. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is an information processing apparatus called a multimedia personal computer capable of reproducing a moving image of about 30 frames per second. Some products have been made available for playing broadcasts on a personal computer using a digital broadcast receiving board. In addition, digital broadcast receivers are becoming popular, and personal computers that receive digital broadcasts have been proposed. This kind of multimedia personal computer is configured such that when receiving a broadcast, a basic processing program as a personal computer is first started up, and then the broadcast receiving program is started and executed.

[0003]

Since the conventional multimedia personal computer is constructed as described above, even if only the broadcast receiving function is required, all basic processing programs for information processing other than the broadcast receiving program are required. It had to be started up, and it took too long to start up as a substitute for a broadcast receiver such as a television. However, since it was considered that the function of receiving a broadcast was the highest level function of a personal computer, the fact that it was possible to receive a broadcast on a personal computer itself was significant, so at startup it was not a problem. . In recent years, real-time recording of broadcast contents on a hard disk has become a reality, and personal computers are about to replace VTRs. Also, with the start of digital broadcasting, applications such as directly incorporating Internet addresses, telephone numbers, etc. delivered by broadcasting into the basic processing program of a personal computer are being realized.
A lifestyle has become a reality where watching TV on a personal computer for personal use is more beneficial than installing a separate TV. That is, as the environment for providing video / audio contents is enhanced, the advantage of adopting a personal computer as a video / audio source increases, and the personal computer will replace the television. Development for this is in progress, but the difference in startup time is still an issue.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and it is a set-top box type digital broadcast receiver (a receiving device placed in the preceding stage in order to be receivable by an existing analog broadcast receiver). ) Or an information processing apparatus that can use a broadcast reception program in a startup time comparable to that of a digital broadcast tuner built-in receiver. Another object of the present invention is to obtain a method for starting an information processing apparatus that improves the start-up time of a broadcast receiving program. A further object of the present invention is to obtain a boot program for an information processing apparatus that improves the start-up time of the broadcast receiving program.

[0005]

An information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus that activates a basic processing program when power is turned on and then activates a broadcast receiving program for demodulating and reproducing a broadcast received by a broadcast receiving means. In the above, the degenerate start program holding means for holding the degenerate start program that restricts the start of the basic processing program and preferentially starts the broadcast receiving program, and reads the degenerate start program from the degenerate start program holding means to instruct the execution. And a degeneration start switch.

The information processing apparatus according to the present invention is such that the degenerate activation program is programmed so as to instruct execution of the broadcast receiving program after being activated.

In the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, the broadcast receiving means is adapted to receive a digital broadcast.

A method for starting an information processing apparatus according to the present invention is a method for starting an information processing apparatus, which starts a basic processing program when power is turned on and then starts a broadcast receiving program for demodulating and playing a broadcast received by a broadcast receiving means. In step 2, a degenerate start program is executed to limit the start of the basic processing program and give priority to the broadcast receiving program by the degenerate start instruction, and when the broadcast receiving program is executed, the broadcast received by the broadcast receiving means is demodulated. And then play it back.

After the power is turned on, the startup program of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention makes the basic processing program, the broadcast receiving program for demodulating and playing the broadcast received by the broadcast receiving means, and the other application programs executable. A start-up program for the information processing apparatus, which has a degenerate start-up program that restricts start-up of the basic processing program and preferentially starts the broadcast receiving program.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The information processing apparatus shown here demodulates and reproduces a broadcast received by a broadcast receiving means after starting a basic processing program when power is turned on. It has a function of activating a broadcast receiving program.
In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a broadcast receiving means for receiving and demodulating a broadcast,
It is a means of decoding and decrypting. An electronic information reproducing means 2 is an electronic information reproducing means such as a CRT, a liquid crystal display and a speaker. Reference numeral 3 denotes an input means, such as a keyboard and a mouse, which is operated by the user to mainly operate the information processing function. Reference numeral 4 denotes a start-up mode switching means for switching between the standard start-up mode and the broadcast start-up mode of the information processing apparatus when the power is turned on. Here, the standard startup mode is a mode in which a basic processing program, that is, an OS (operation program) of the information processing apparatus is started and then a broadcast receiving program and other application programs are started and executed. The broadcast activation mode is a mode in which a necessary portion of the basic processing program for operation is activated, and the broadcast reception program is given priority to be activated and executed. 5
Is a standard starting program holding means, which holds a standard starting program for starting the basic processing program of the information processing apparatus in a predetermined procedure when the standard starting form is selected when the power is turned on. Reference numeral 6 denotes a degenerate start program holding means, which holds a degenerate start program that partially restricts the start of the basic processing program and preferentially starts the broadcast receiving program when the broadcast start mode is selected when the power is turned on. 7 is a CPU which is the center of the information processing function, 8 is a main storage means, and 9
Is a hard disk. Further, in the boot mode switching means 4, 41 is a standard boot switch for instructing to read and execute the standard boot program from the standard boot program holding means 5, and 42 is for reading the degenerate boot program from the degenerate boot program holding means 6. This is a switch for degenerate activation that gives instructions to execute. 43 is a standard starting switch 4
1 and power supply control means for supplying electric power to each functional unit selected according to the operation of the degeneration start switch 42. The standard boot program holding means 5 and the degenerate boot program holding means 6 may be ROMs that are normally used.

Next, the operation will be described. The boot program of this information processing apparatus is composed of a standard boot program and a degraded boot program, and is booted by pressing either the standard boot switch 41 or the degraded boot switch 42. The power is turned on by pressing any of these switches 41, 42. Then, the power supply control means 43 performs a power supply start procedure called a reset sequence so that each part of the information processing device is correctly initialized.

The operation procedure when the standard starting switch 41 is pressed will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. When the standard startup switch 41 is pressed when the power is turned on (step ST111), the power supply control means 43 selects the standard startup reset sequence (step ST11).
2). When the reset sequence for standard startup is started (step ST121), the degenerate startup program holding means 6
Is electrically disabled (step ST122), and at the same time the standard startup program holding means 5 is electrically enabled (step ST123). That is, for example, power is not supplied to the degenerate boot program holding means 6 and power is supplied to the standard boot program holding means 5 to enable use. As a result, the standard activation mode is formed without degrading the function of the information processing device.

When the standard activation program is activated by depressing the standard activation switch 41 (step ST131), the electronic information reproducing means 2, the main memory means 8 and the input are input in the same manner as the activation as a normal information processing apparatus. It is confirmed that the means 3 and the hard disk 9 function as the components of the information processing apparatus (step ST132), and then the driver software for connecting them is first introduced (step ST133). In this state, the startup and execution states of various installed application programs are completed. Then, driver software for connecting the broadcast receiving means 1 is introduced (step ST134), and a huge O having an advanced information processing function is executed from the hard disk 9.
If S is loaded into the main storage means 8 (step ST13
5) The broadcast receiving program for operating the broadcast receiving means 1 can be started and executed from the hard disk 9 using the input means 3 (step ST136). As a result, the broadcast receiving means 1 performs channel selection, demodulation, decoding, and decryption, and outputs the video / audio, which is the content of the broadcast, to the electronic information reproducing means 2 for reproduction. That is, with this series of operations, with the basic processing program completely activated,
The standard startup mode in which the broadcast receiving program and other application programs can be used simultaneously is completed.

Next, the operation procedure when the degenerate activation switch 42 is pushed with priority will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. When the degeneration activation switch 42 is pressed at power-on (step ST211), the power supply control means 4
3 selects the degenerate activation reset sequence (step ST212). When this degenerate activation reset sequence is started (step ST221), the standard activation program holding means 5 is electrically disabled (step ST).
At the same time as 222), the degenerate activation program holding means 6 is electrically enabled (step ST223). That is, for example, the standard starting program holding means 5 is not supplied with electric power, but the degenerate starting program holding means 6 is supplied with electric power so that it can be used. As a result, the basic processing program is degenerated to a range where broadcasting can be received and started in a short time. That is, it is possible to limit the activation of the basic processing program and preferentially activate the broadcast receiving program. In this case, the degenerate activation program may be programmed so as to instruct the execution of the broadcast receiving program after being activated. Therefore, when the degeneration activation switch 42 is switched, the broadcast content is promptly reproduced.

Here, as the degenerate activation program holding means 6, for example, a configuration similar to a ROM for recording embedded software of a set top box type digital broadcast receiver can be considered. In recent years, there is a tendency to use an embedded OS as a development base in a set top box type digital broadcast receiver. Many of such embedded OSs are high-performance and flexible real-time OSs such as VxWorks (R). Ie, not as a single piece of continuous software
It has been divided into functional modules, designed and manufactured in functional module units, and integrated under the control of the OS. This point is also common to the application program of the information processing device such as a personal computer, and the same technical support is possible.

Therefore, in this case, the start-up procedure may be similar to that of the set-top box type digital broadcast receiver. That is, the electronic information reproducing means 2,
The main storage means 8, the input means 3 and the hard disk 9 are
It is not necessary to perform a test of suitability as a component of the information processing device, and it is used on the assumption that it is suitable. Also, for example, the broadcast receiving means 1 is a PCI (Peripheral Compone
Even if they are connected using a general-purpose bus such as a bus, the startup speed can be increased by stopping the automatic board detection function such as the plug and play function. It is not necessary to operate the hard disk 9 depending on the usage pattern, such as when the broadcast content is not recorded.
Further, the input means 3 may not be operated when it is a keyboard for an information processing device, and input means necessary for a broadcast receiving program such as channel switching and volume adjustment may be separately provided.

Also in step ST231 of degenerate activation in the first embodiment, electronic information reproducing means 2, main memory means 8 and broadcast receiving means 1 are similarly connected (step ST232) and the real-time OS is activated (step ST232). (ST233), the program module for operating the broadcast receiving means 1 is started (step ST234).

When the degenerate activation switch 42 is pressed to activate the program in accordance with the degenerate activation program as described above, the basic processing program does not completely function, but a necessary part is activated to give priority to the broadcast receiving program. Since the program is activated and executed, it is possible to receive the broadcast by the broadcast receiving unit 1, select the channel, demodulate, decode, and decrypt it, and reproduce the video and audio by the electronic information reproducing unit 2. As a result, the startup at that time is performed at high speed.

Here, since the electronic information reproducing means 2, the main storage means 8 and the broadcast receiving means 1 in step ST232 may be connected in the same manner as the built-in software such as a set top box, the format of the driver software in the information processing apparatus There is no need to take. Also, step ST2
32 is a degenerate activation reset sequence (step ST
It may be incorporated in a part of 212).

With the above configuration, the start-up time of the broadcast receiving program with priority can be the same as that of the set-top box type digital broadcast receiver. After the broadcast reception program is started up and executed using the degraded start program, the degraded start program is programmed so that the rest of the basic processing program can be chased and started without affecting the playback status of the broadcast. You can keep it. This is a function required when the user wants to stop enjoying the broadcast being received and move to another application program of the information processing apparatus. For that purpose, for example, a method such as "Would you like to continue launching standard functions? YES, NO" is displayed on the screen at the time of activation or reception start by the degenerate activation program, and the user can select it, or the mouse button. It is conceivable that the standard function selection switch can be activated by pressing or any key on the keyboard. It is also possible to make it possible to use a remote control. However, when using a mouse or keyboard, it is necessary to start those boot programs when the degraded boot program is booted. As another method, the boot program for the mouse or keyboard is not started, and the standard boot switch 41 and the degenerate boot switch 42 are used.
In addition to this, a chasing start switch is provided, and in addition to the standard starting program holding means 5 and the degenerate starting program holding means 6, a chasing starting program holding means is provided, and the chasing starting switch is used for starting. In this case, after the degenerate activation, the activation of the input means 3 such as the mouse or the keyboard or the hard disk 9 may be continued. By doing this, at the time of degenerate activation,
In the above-described method, it is possible to avoid waiting for the user's input, and it is possible to speed up by not activating the input means 3 such as a mouse or a keyboard.

Further, there is a case where the broadcast receiving program is used and it is desired to stop the broadcast reception and end the function of the information processing apparatus as it is. If it is a normal TV receiver,
All you have to do is press the power switch. But,
In the conventional information processing apparatus, after the broadcast receiving program is terminated, it must be terminated while operating along the termination screen of the basic processing program. The operation and time are extremely troublesome, such as when you want to quickly leave the device. In order to solve this problem, the following means may be provided. A termination program holding means for storing the priority termination program is provided so that the priority termination program is activated when the degenerate activation switch 42 is pressed while receiving a broadcast. The started priority termination program terminates the broadcast reception program and determines whether or not there is another application program launched by the user's will. If not, it skips the step of the termination operation screen on the way and terminates. Follow the steps and finally turn off the power to finish the operation. On the other hand, when another application program is running, the procedure is the same as the conventional one. In this case, the priority termination program may have a procedure of automatically terminating the other application programs that have been started up, but in the use of the information processing device, it is terminated even though it is not desired to be terminated. There is a possible inconvenience. Therefore, the priority termination program may be activated and completed only when only the broadcast reception program is executed. On the other hand, if you want to end the other application programs that are running when you end the broadcast receiving program, run the start-up of the broadcast receiving program and other application programs that were started by the above-mentioned start-up starting program. A method of providing a termination program that automatically terminates by pressing the switch again may be adopted.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the standard start-up mode of the information processing apparatus and the broadcast start-up mode specialized for the broadcast receiving program can be selected by selecting the switches 41 and 42 when the power is turned on. In this way, when the broadcast activation mode is selected, the activation of the basic processing program is restricted and priority is given to shortening the time until the reception of the broadcast. Therefore, when the user simply wants to receive the broadcast, there is an effect that the user can quickly enjoy the reception of the broadcast without waiting for the time to start up all the basic processing programs as in the conventional case.

[0023]

As described above, according to the present invention, in the information processing apparatus for activating the broadcast receiving program for demodulating and reproducing the broadcast received by the broadcast receiving means after activating the basic processing program by turning on the power, Reduced start program holding means for holding the reduced start program that limits the start of the basic processing program and preferentially starts the broadcast reception program, and reduced start for reading the reduced start program from the reduced start program holding means and instructing execution Since it is configured to include a switch for use, the basic processing program can be degenerated and the broadcast reception program can be started up preferentially without performing the conventional startup procedure, so that the start of the reception of the broadcast can be accelerated. This has the effect of enabling the same enjoyment as a normal broadcast receiver.

According to the present invention, in the information processing apparatus, the degenerate activation program is programmed so as to instruct the execution of the broadcast receiving program after being activated. Therefore, the user has the degeneration activation switch. The effect is that you can quickly reach the state of enjoying broadcasting simply by operating.

According to the present invention, since the broadcast receiving means is configured to receive the digital broadcast, there is an effect that a quick start-up can be provided for the digital broadcast.

According to the present invention, a method of starting an information processing apparatus is such that the basic processing program is started by turning on the power source and then the broadcast receiving program for demodulating and reproducing the broadcast received by the broadcast receiving means is started. In the start-up method, a degenerate start-up instruction is executed to execute a degenerate start-up program that restricts start-up of the basic processing program and preferentially starts the broadcast receiving program, and when the broadcast receiving program is executed, the broadcast received by the broadcast receiving means Since it is configured to demodulate and reproduce, the effect is that the user can obtain a state in which the reception of the broadcast can be enjoyed promptly by simply operating the switch that activates the degenerate activation program.

According to the present invention, the startup program of the information processing device can execute the basic processing program, the broadcast receiving program for demodulating and playing the broadcast received by the broadcast receiving means and other application programs after the power is turned on. It is configured to have a degenerate activation program that activates the basic processing program by prioritizing the broadcast reception program by limiting the activation of the basic processing program. Apart from the state, it is possible to obtain the broadcast start state that prioritizes the start of the broadcast receiving program,
This has the effect of speeding up the start of broadcast reception and allowing the user to enjoy it in the same way as an ordinary broadcast receiver.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the start of a standard startup reset sequence according to the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a standard startup reset sequence according to the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a standard startup procedure according to the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the start of a degenerate activation reset sequence according to the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a degenerate activation reset sequence according to the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a degraded activation procedure according to the operation of the first embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 broadcast receiving means, 2 electronic information reproducing means, 3 inputting means, 4 starting mode switching means, 5 standard starting program holding means, 6 degenerate starting program holding means, 7 CPU,
8 main memory means, 9 hard disk, 41 standard start switch, 42 degenerate start switch, 43 power supply control means.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Masashi Hitai             2-3 2-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo             Inside Ryo Electric Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 5B076 BB01 BB04                 5C025 BA27 BA30 DA01 DA10                 5K061 AA09 EF06 GG09 JJ06 JJ07

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus for activating a broadcast receiving program for demodulating and playing a broadcast received by a broadcast receiving means after activating the basic processing program by turning on a power source, and limiting activation of the basic processing program, wherein A degenerate activation program holding means for holding a degenerate activation program that preferentially activates the broadcast reception program; and a degeneration activation switch for reading the degeneration activation program from the degeneration activation program holding means and instructing execution. A characteristic information processing device. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the degenerate activation program is programmed to instruct execution of the broadcast receiving program after being activated. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the broadcast receiving means receives a digital broadcast. 4. A method of activating an information processing apparatus for activating a broadcast receiving program for demodulating and playing a broadcast received by a broadcast receiving means after activating a basic processing program when power is turned on. To execute a degenerate activation program that limits the activation of the processing program and preferentially activates the broadcast receiving program, and demodulates and reproduces the broadcast received by the broadcast receiving means when the broadcast receiving program is executed. A characteristic information processing apparatus start-up method. 5. A starting program of an information processing apparatus for making a basic processing program, a broadcast receiving program for demodulating and playing back a broadcast received by a broadcast receiving unit and other application programs after the power is turned on, in an executable state. An activation program for an information processing apparatus, comprising: a degenerate activation program that limits activation of the basic processing program and preferentially activates the broadcast reception program.