JP2003122578A - Device and method for receiving broadcast - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily add or change the functions of each part. SOLUTION: A main microcomputer 5 stores a version-up program 71-1 therefor in a variable program area having the program of older version stored therein, and transfers the version-up program to sub microcomputers. When receiving a version-up program 71-2, in the same manner as in the main microcomputer 5, a sub microcomputer A9 stores a flash memory 10 to perform the version up of the program. When instructed to start up, the main microcomputer 5 starts a program in an area designated by a start flag, and notifies the sub microcomputers of the setting of the start flag. The sub microcomputers A to C start the programs stored in the areas designated by the start flag.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a broadcast receiving apparatus and method, and more particularly to a broadcast receiving apparatus and method that allows the functions of the respective units to be easily added or changed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, digital broadcasting has started in which audio signals and image signals are digitized and broadcast via a satellite (BS (Broadcasting Satellite)). In this digital broadcasting, not only image signals and audio signals but also various data can be transmitted by digitizing the signals to be transmitted and multiplexing these signals.

By the way, in this field, there is a continuing search for what kind of service can be provided, and there is a high possibility that a new form of service will be started in the future. Therefore, when a new service is started and a new function for receiving the service is added, it is necessary to add or change the program of the broadcast receiving device.

Therefore, in order to make such additions,
Various proposals have been made to download new programs and upgrade existing programs via digital broadcast waves.

When a program is upgraded via a digital broadcast wave, a broadcast receiving apparatus acquires a transport stream from the received digital broadcast wave and identifies it by a packet ID of each packet forming the transport stream. Then, the program for upgrading is extracted. Then, the extracted program is written in the storage unit of a predetermined microcomputer.

In addition, when performing version upgrade with the extracted program, a plurality of programs having the same function are prepared in the storage unit, and even if the writing fails for some reason, the writing is not performed, Various recovery methods have been proposed in which normal processing can be executed using a program that operates normally.

[0007]

However, as described above, if the program of one microcomputer is to be upgraded, as in the case of the microcomputer that controls the demultiplexer that extracts a predetermined packet, that program is used. Although the processing can be executed easily, if you want to upgrade each program of multiple microcomputers at the same time,
There is a problem that the processing becomes very complicated.

Further, when the user performs any operation and the rewriting is interrupted while rewriting the programs of a plurality of microcomputers, the program of a certain microcomputer is upgraded,
The programs of other microcomputers may remain in the old version.

If the microcomputers individually execute various processes based on their own programs, there is no problem, but when a plurality of microcomputers cooperate to execute the processes, the There is a problem that various problems occur, such as not being able to display images due to different program versions.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is to make it possible to easily change or add the respective functions of a plurality of microcomputers provided in a broadcast receiving apparatus. .

[0011]

A broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present invention comprises a first storage means for storing a plurality of versions of a first program used by a first microcomputer, and a second microcomputer. A second storage means for storing a plurality of versions of the second program, wherein the first microcomputer has a plurality of versions of the first program stored by the first storage means.
Of the above programs, the first program of the version specified by the flag is started, and the setting of the flag is notified to the second microcomputer, and the second microcomputer is notified from the first microcomputer. It is characterized in that a predetermined version of the second program among the plurality of versions of the second program stored in the second storage means is started based on the setting of the flag.

The first stored in the first storage means
The first program of a version different from that of the second program and the second program of a version different from the second program stored in the second storage means are further provided through an acquisition unit. You can

The first microcomputer rewrites the oldest version of the first program stored in the first storage means by using the first program acquired by the acquisition means, and the second microcomputer The computer can use the second program acquired by the acquisition unit to rewrite the oldest version of the second program stored in the second storage unit.

When the first microcomputer rewrites the oldest version of the first program and the second microcomputer rewrites the oldest version of the second program, the first microcomputer: Next time the broadcast receiving device is started, the latest version of the first program and the second program
It is possible to change the setting of the flag so that the above program is started.

The broadcast receiving method of the broadcast receiving apparatus of the present invention is as follows:
A first storing step for storing a plurality of versions of the first program used by the first microcomputer; and a second storing step for storing a plurality of versions of the second program used by the second microcomputer. And a first microcomputer of a plurality of versions of the first program stored by the processing of the first storage step, the first program of the version specified by the flag being activated by the first microcomputer. At the same time, the setting of the flag is notified to the second microcomputer, and is stored by the processing of the second storage step based on the setting of the flag notified from the first microcomputer by the second microcomputer. Of multiple versions of the second program
It is characterized in that a predetermined version of the second program is started.

In the broadcast receiving apparatus and the broadcast receiving method of the present invention, a plurality of versions of the first program used by the first microcomputer are stored.
A plurality of versions of the second program used by the second microcomputer are stored. Also, the first
Of the plurality of versions of the first program, the version of the first program specified by the flag is activated, and the setting of the flag is notified to the second microcomputer.
Further, the second microcomputer activates a predetermined version of the second program of the plurality of versions of the second program based on the setting of the flag notified from the first microcomputer. .

[0017]

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a television receiver to which the present invention is applied.

A received signal of a digital broadcast wave received by an antenna (not shown) is supplied to the digital tuner 1 and after a predetermined signal is tuned, demodulation processing, error correction processing and the like are performed, and the transport signal is transmitted. It is supplied to the demultiplexer 2 as a stream (TS).

The demultiplexer 2 identifies the data stored in each packet by the PID (packet ID) described in the header of the transport packet constituting the transport stream supplied from the digital tuner 1. To do.

The demultiplexer 2 is, for example, PES (Packetized) based on an instruction from the microcomputer 5.
Elementary Stream) or ES (Elementary Stream) video data is output to the video decoder 3, and audio data is output to the audio decoder 4.

Further, when the demultiplexer 2 obtains the version upgrade program 71 for upgrading the version of the microcomputer program arranged in each part of the television receiver (extending its function), the demultiplexer 2 executes it. Supply to.

The video decoder 3 includes a demultiplexer 2
When video data is supplied from, for example, it is expanded in MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) 2 format, and the video signal obtained by performing digital-analog conversion etc. is displayed on a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or LCD.
Display on the display such as (Liquid Crystal Display).
On the other hand, when the audio data is supplied from the demultiplexer 2, the audio decoder 4 decompresses the data and outputs the obtained audio signal to the speaker.

The microcomputer 5 is activated by a boot program stored in the flash memory 7 which is a non-volatile memory. Then, the microcomputer 5 reads out the latest version of the program stored in the flash memory 7 and writes it to SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random AccessM).
Emory) 6 and execute various processes.

The flash memory 7 is basically composed of four areas: a fixed program area 31, a variable program area A32, a variable program area B33, and a data area 34. The fixed program area 31 has a micro area. A boot program used when the computer 5 starts up is stored.

In the variable program area A32 and the variable program area B33, predetermined versions of programs which are used by the main microcomputer 5 and have basically the same functions are stored. Variable program area A32 and variable program area B
The program stored in 33 is different from the boot program stored in the fixed program area 31,
It is appropriately rewritten by the version upgrade program transmitted by digital broadcast waves.

In this way, by preparing a plurality of programs having the same function, even if the writing by the version upgrade program fails for some reason, a program that does not write and operates normally can be used. Then, the normal processing can be performed.

In the data area 34, for example, information of a channel selected when the power is turned off and, if recording reservation is set, various user information such as recording reservation information is stored. Remembered. As will be described later in detail, the data area 34 is connected to the microcomputer 9 and the microcomputer 11 connected via the parallel bus 8 or to the microcomputer 14 connected via the serial bus 13. On the other hand, a start flag that specifies a program to be started is stored.

The microcomputer 5, based on the latest version of the program expanded in the SDRAM 6, for example, packet extraction by the demultiplexer 2,
The entire operation of the television receiver is controlled (hereinafter, the microcomputer 5 will be appropriately referred to as the main microcomputer 5, the microcomputer 9 will be described as the sub-microcomputer A9, and the microcomputer 11 will be described as the sub-microcomputer B11. , Microcomputer 1
4 will be described as a sub-microcomputer C14. Further, when it is not necessary to individually distinguish each of the sub-microcomputer 9A, the sub-microcomputer 11B, and the sub-microcomputer 14C,
If necessary, they are collectively referred to as sub-microcomputers A to C).

The sub-microcomputer A9 (microcomputer 9) is the main microcomputer 5 (microcomputer 5).
Similarly to the fixed program area 41 to the data area 44
Of the variable program area A42 and the variable program area B43, the program stored in the area designated by the main microcomputer 5 is activated to perform various processes. Run.

Similarly to the sub-microcomputer A9, the sub-microcomputer B11 and the sub-microcomputer C14 also have a flash memory 12 and a flash memory 15 each consisting of four areas, and the areas designated by the main microcomputer 5 are designated. Start the program stored in
Performs various processes.

The sub-microcomputers A to C are, for example, IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Eng
ineers) 1394 interface or HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
It is a microcomputer that controls a processing unit that handles digital data such as.

The variable program area A42 and variable program area B43 of the flash memory 10, the variable program area A52 and variable program area B53 of the flash memory 12, and the flash memory 15 which are managed by these sub-microcomputers A to C, respectively. The programs stored in the variable program area A62 and the variable program area B63 are the same as the programs stored in the flash memory 7, and are the version upgrade programs 71 transmitted via digital broadcast waves.
Can be rewritten as appropriate.

Therefore, when the version upgrade program 71 is supplied from the demultiplexer 2, the main microcomputer 5 obtains the version upgrade program for itself included in the version upgrade program 71 and stores it in the variable program area A32. The variable program area B33 is stored in an area where an older version of the program is stored, and the corresponding version upgrade programs are transferred to the sub-microcomputers A to C and stored therein.

In the example of FIG. 1, the version upgrade program 71-1 rewrites an older version of the program stored in the variable program area B33 to perform the version upgrade. Also,
The program stored in the variable program area B43 of the flash memory 10, the program stored in the variable program area B53 of the flash memory 12, and the variable program area B63 of the flash memory 14.
The programs stored in 1. are rewritten by the version upgrade programs 71-2 to 71-4, and the version upgrade is performed.

That is, "M71-1" of the version upgrade program 71 shown in FIG. 1 represents the version upgrade program for the main microcomputer 5,
"A71-2" represents a version upgrade program for the sub-microcomputer A9. Further, "B71-3" represents a version upgrade program for the sub-microcomputer B11, and "C71-4" represents a version upgrade program for the sub-microcomputer C14.

Further, in the television receiver shown in FIG. 1, the microcomputer 16 is provided in the small power block which consumes less power. The microcomputer 16 is basically a microcomputer that performs analog control such as deflection of the display section or scanning with an electron gun (hereinafter, the microcomputer 16 is appropriately referred to as a TV microcomputer 16).

Usually, the above-described program version upgrade is executed in a standby (power off) state in which various operations are not performed by the user.

The main microcomputer 5 multiplexes the time at which the version-up program for its own set is transmitted with other data and transmits it.
Confirm with SDTT (Software Download Trigger Table).
Then, when the main microcomputer 5 determines that it is free for a predetermined time or more by the time the download of the version upgrade program starts, it requests the TV microcomputer 16 to start itself at that time. Then, the power is turned off by itself. Also, in that case,
Similar to the main microcomputer 5, the sub-microcomputers A to C also
Turns itself off.

Generally, a microcomputer that handles digital data, such as the main microcomputer 5 and the sub-microcomputers A to C, consumes more power than a microcomputer that controls an analog signal. Therefore, power consumption can be suppressed by turning off the power supplies of the microcomputers other than the TV microcomputer 16 until the download is started in this way.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the concept of version upgrade by the version upgrade program.

At time t ₁ , when the user operates the remote controller to instruct power off (power off), the television image is received for a period until the next power on is instructed (until time t ₂ ). The machine goes into standby. As described above, the download of the version upgrade program is performed in the standby state in which various operations are not executed by the user, and therefore, the state in which it is internally activated only during the period T ₃ when the download is performed. Becomes

For example, in the period T ₁ , when the main microcomputer 5 has the program of version 2 (of the programs stored in the variable program area A 32 and the variable program area B 33, the version of the old program is version 2). In this case), the program is rewritten to, for example, version 4 by the download executed in the period T ₃ .

Then, at the time t ₂ , when the power-on is instructed by the user, the version 4 program is started in the subsequent period T ₅ .

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the above-mentioned SD
The TT is transmitted at a predetermined cycle such as every 10 minutes. The main microcomputer 5 refers to the contents of SDTT and sets itself (television receiver shown in FIG. 1).
Check the transmission time of the version upgrade program for.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of information described in SDTT.

For example, in the SDTT, the device name of the television receiver to be downloaded (download target), the version of the target program (target version), the version of the program that can be acquired by downloading (new version), and The download start time for two days is described.

The main microcomputer 5 refers to such an SDTT, the download target is its own set, and the target version corresponds to the older version of the program stored in the flash memory 7. If you want to
Download the program.

In the example of FIG. 3, the download target is "PONY HD700", the target version is "earlier than version 2", and the new version is "version 4". Further, the "download time" is, for example, "August 14, 2001 at 12:05 am
From 10 minutes ".

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the version upgrade program. For example, as shown in FIG.
It is sent every two hours.

As shown in FIG. 4, a single download obtains a plurality of the same version upgrade programs, so that the version upgrade can be performed more reliably. In the example of FIG. 4, the version upgrade programs 81 to 83 are acquired by one download.

Version upgrade programs 81 to 83
Is DII (Download Information Indication) and DDB (Down
load Date Block). This DDB is the version upgrade program itself, and DII is the DDB
Information indicating the size, the number of modules, or the time required for downloading.

The main microcomputer 5 refers to DII to write a program and transfer the program to each sub-microcomputer.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the main microcomputer program (M) and the sub microcomputer programs (A to C) that compose the DDB may be composed of one module or may be composed of a plurality of modules. is there. When the DDB consists of multiple modules, the main microcomputer 5
The programs of the sub-microcomputers A to C can be transferred in the state of the module, but when the DDB consists of one module, it is necessary to expand the entire DDB in the SDRAM 6 etc. and divide it into individual modules.

In FIG. 1, for convenience of explanation, DD
In addition to the explanation without distinguishing the module configuration of B, 1
It is assumed that the number of version upgrade programs acquired by one download is one.

Next, the operation of the television receiver shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

First, referring to the flow chart of FIG. 5, the start-up process of the main microcomputer 5 which is executed in response to a power-on instruction from the user will be described.

When the user gives an instruction for activation (power-on), the main microcomputer 5 performs the activation process using the boot program stored in the fixed program area 31 of the flash memory 7 in step S1. Specifically, the main microcomputer 5 initializes various parameters and peripheral hardware.

After performing the initialization processing, the main microcomputer 5 proceeds to step S2, refers to the start flag to be managed, and refers to the variable program area A32 and the variable program area B.
Of 33, the area in which the latest version of the program is stored is specified.

In step S3, the main microcomputer 5
Reads out the latest version of the program from the area specified in step S2. In step S4, the main microcomputer 5 expands the read program in the SDRAM 6, and when all the data is expanded, the main microcomputer 5 proceeds to step S5 and activates it.

In step S6, the main microcomputer 5
Notifies the sub-microcomputers A to C of the setting of the activation flag. That is, the activation flag specifies not only the program activated by the main microcomputer 5, but also the program activated by the sub-microcomputers A to C. As will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6, the sub-microcomputers A to C activate the program stored in the designated area in response to the notification from the main microcomputer 5.

The main microcomputer 5, in step S7, based on the program activated in the SDRAM 6,
Initialization of various parameters is performed, and when the initialization is completed, the process proceeds to step S8 to execute a normal process, that is, a process of controlling the demultiplexer 2.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
The start-up process of the sub-microcomputer A9 executed corresponding to the process of FIG. 5 will be described. In addition, the sub-microcomputer B11,
Also, similar processing is executed in the sub-microcomputer C14.

In step S21, the sub-microcomputer A
When the user gives an instruction to start, 9 executes the start processing by the boot program stored in the fixed program area 41 of the flash memory 10, and step S2
In step 2, it is determined whether or not the activation flag setting has been notified from the main microcomputer 5.

The sub-microcomputer A9 waits in step S22 until it is determined that the activation flag has been set, and if it is determined that the activation flag has been set, step S22 is performed.
In step 23, the program stored in the area designated by the activation flag is activated.

Then, the sub-microcomputer A9 executes step S
After initializing each parameter in 24,
In step S25, normal processing, that is, control of an HDD (not shown) is performed.

Normally, the activation flag is set so that the latest version of the program is activated in any of the microcomputers, and as a result of the above processing, the latest main microcomputer 5 program and the latest version of each program are executed. The program for the sub-microcomputer is started.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of the activation process described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

In FIG. 7, from the top, the state of the television receiver, the operation of the main microcomputer 5, the sub-microcomputer A
9 operation, sub-microcomputer B11 operation, sub-microcomputer C
Fourteen operations are represented. The horizontal axis represents time.

At time t ₁₁ , when the user instructs the power-on, the television receiver which has been in the standby state (power-off) until then becomes the power-on state, and each microcomputer performs various operations as described above. Is processed.

For example, in the period T ₁₁ , the main microcomputer 5 performs the starting process based on the boot program (the process of step S1 in FIG. 5), and similarly, in the period T ₂₁ ,
In the periods T ₃₁ and T ₄₁ , the sub-microcomputers A to C respectively perform the boot process based on the boot program (the process of step S21 in FIG. 6).

When the start by the boot program is completed, the main microcomputer 5 reads the latest main microcomputer program from the flash memory 7 based on the setting of the start flag (processing of step S3 of FIG. 6), period T ₁₂ In step S5 of FIG.
Processing).

In the example of FIG. 7, "area A" is designated by the setting of the activation flag. The area A (variable program area A32) of the flash memory 7 stores the version 3 program, and the area B (variable program area B33) stores the version 2 program.

Therefore, the main microcomputer 5 activates the version 3 program stored in the area A (variable program area A32) in the period T ₁₂ based on the setting of the activation flag.

On the other hand, each of the sub-microcomputers A to C, after being activated by the boot program, waits for activation from the main microcomputer 5 in the periods T ₂₂ , T ₃₂ and T ₄₂ .

[0075] sub-microcomputer A9 is notification settings start flag from the main microcomputer 5 (setting A) is, when the activation is requested, in the period T _23, the flash memory 10
The program of version 5 stored in the area A (variable program area A42) is started. In this example, in the flash memory 10, the program of version 5 is stored in the area A (variable program area A42), and the program of version 4 is stored in the area B (variable program area B43).

Similarly, the sub-microcomputer B11, when notified of the setting of the start flag from the main microcomputer 5,
In the period T ₃₃ , the version 3 program stored in the area A (variable program area A 52) of the flash memory 12 is activated. In this example, in the flash memory 12, the program of version 3 is stored in the area A (variable program area A52),
The version 2 program is stored in area B (variable program area B53).

Similarly, when the sub-microcomputer C14 is notified by the main microcomputer 5 that the start flag has been set, the area A of the flash memory 15 is in the period T ₄₃ .
The version 7 program stored in the (variable program area A62) is activated. In this example,
In the flash memory 15, the version 7 program is stored in the area A (variable program area A62), and the version 6 program is stored in the area B (variable program area B63).

By the above-mentioned processing, the main microcomputer 5 thereafter executes various processing according to the version 3 main microcomputer program, and the sub-microcomputer A9
Executes various processes according to the program for the sub-microcomputer A9 of version 5. In addition, the sub-microcomputer B1
1 executes various processes in accordance with the program for the sub-microcomputer B11 of version 3, and the sub-microcomputer C14
Executes various processes according to the program for the sub-microcomputer C14 of version 7.

That is, each microcomputer executes various processes in accordance with the latest version of the program that it has.

Next, the processing of the television receiver for downloading the version upgrade program will be described.

First, the processing of the main microcomputer 5 for setting the timer based on SDTT will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In step S41, the main microcomputer 5 acquires the SDTT supplied from the demultiplexer 2.

In step S42, the main microcomputer 5 refers to the information described in the SDTT, the download target is its own set, and the version of the program to be downloaded is, for example, the flash memory 7 When it is determined that the version corresponds to the version of the main microcomputer program stored in, the TV microcomputer 16 is notified of the time when the download is started, and it is requested to start at the time.

Then, when the user is not performing the operation (when the user instructs to turn off the power), the main microcomputer 5 proceeds to step S43.
Enter the standby state (power off). As mentioned above,
The power consumption can be suppressed by keeping the main microcomputer 5 in the standby state until the download of the version upgrade program is started.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
The processing of the TV microcomputer 16 that activates the main microcomputer 5 will be described.

In step S51, the TV microcomputer 16
Sets a timer based on an instruction from the main microcomputer 5.

Then, in step S52, the TV microcomputer 16 determines whether or not it is time to start downloading the version upgrade program (main microcomputer 5).
It is determined whether or not the time set by is reached, and waits until it is determined that the time is reached.

When the TV microcomputer 16 determines in step S52 that it is time to start downloading the upgrade program, the TV microcomputer 16 proceeds to step S53 and requests the main microcomputer 5 to start up. After that, the main microcomputer 5 downloads the version upgrade program.

Next, with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 10 and 11, the processing of the main microcomputer 5 for rewriting the already stored program by the downloaded version upgrade program will be described. This processing is executed, for example, at the timing when activation is requested by the TV microcomputer 16.

The processing of steps S61 to S65 is the same as the processing of steps S1 to S5 described with reference to FIG. That is, the main microcomputer 5 starts up by the boot program in step S61, and then proceeds to step S62 to specify the memory area in which the latest program is stored based on the setting of the start flag. Then, the main microcomputer 5 proceeds to step S63 and reads the latest version of the program from the area.

The main microcomputer 5 expands the read program in the SDRAM 6 in step S64, and when the expansion is completed, the process proceeds to step S65 to activate it.

In step S66, the main microcomputer 5 inquires of the TV microcomputer 16 about the cause of the start, and the process proceeds to step S67, in which the cause is that the time when the download of the version upgrade program is started. Determine if there is.

For example, in the case where the user has instructed to record a predetermined program and the start is the requested start time of the program, the main microcomputer 5
Advances to step S68 to execute a normal process, that is, a process of recording the set program, and ends the process.

On the other hand, when the main microcomputer 5 determines in step S67 that the activation request from the TV microcomputer 16 is due to the start of the download of the version upgrade program, the process proceeds to step S69 and the version upgrade program is executed. Prepare to get (download). For example, the main microcomputer 5
The demultiplexer 2 is controlled to tune to the channel to which the version upgrade program is transmitted.

Then, the main microcomputer 5 executes step S
At 70, it is determined whether the version upgrade program has been supplied from the demultiplexer 2, and the process waits until it is determined that the version upgrade program has been supplied.

When the main microcomputer 5 determines in step S70 that the version-up program has been supplied from the demultiplexer 2, step S71.
Go to and check the data for errors.

For example, the main microcomputer 5 checks whether or not a plurality of programs intended for the same microcomputer are included, a checksum, or a CR.
A check is performed using C, and it is determined in step S72 whether an error has been detected. Step S7
In 2, when the main microcomputer 5 determines that the error of the version upgrade program is detected, the main microcomputer 5 proceeds to step S73, performs a predetermined error process, and then ends the process.

On the other hand, the main microcomputer 5 executes step S7.
When it is determined that the error is not detected in 2,
In step S74, the program (module shown in FIG. 4) transmitted from the demultiplexer 2 is
It is determined whether or not the program of the main microcomputer 5 is a version upgrade program, that is, whether or not the program has been transmitted to itself.
For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the upgrade programs of all the microcomputers consist of one module, the main microcomputer 5 divides it into individual modules, and the divided modules are for themselves. Or not.

When the main microcomputer 5 determines in step S74 that the version upgrade program for itself has been transmitted, the process proceeds to step S75, and the currently activated program is the program read from the variable program area A32. Or not.

When the main microcomputer 5 determines in step S75 that the program currently loaded in the SDRAM 6 is not the program read from the variable program area A32 (the program read from the variable program area B33), the variable Program area B33
Since the program stored in the variable program area A32 is an older version than the program stored in, the process proceeds to step S76, and the acquired version upgrade program is stored in the variable program area A32.
Write to 32.

On the other hand, in step S75, when the main microcomputer 5 determines that the program currently loaded in the SDRAM 6 is the program read from the variable program area A32, the process proceeds to step S77, and the acquired version upgrade program is obtained. Is written in the variable program area B33.

In step S78, the main microcomputer 5 determines whether or not the writing of the version upgrade program is normally completed. If it is determined that the writing is not normally completed, the process proceeds to step S73, and error processing is performed. After that, the process is terminated. In addition, when the main microcomputer 5 determines in step S78 that the writing of the version upgrade program has been normally completed, it proceeds to step S78.
Proceed to 79 to update the version information of the program.

In step S80, the main microcomputer 5 determines whether or not the last data forming the version upgrade program has been transmitted from the demultiplexer 2, and determines that the last data has not yet been transmitted. Then, the process returns to step S70, and the subsequent processes are repeatedly executed. In addition, when the main microcomputer 5 determines in step S80 that the last data has been transmitted, it ends the process.

On the other hand, in step S74, when the main microcomputer 5 determines that the transmitted version upgrade program is not the program for itself, the main microcomputer 5 proceeds to step S81 and executes the program for the target sub-microcomputer. Forward. For example, when the upgrade program 71-2 shown in FIG. 1 is supplied, the main microcomputer 5 transfers it to the sub-microcomputer A9 in step S81.

Then, the main microcomputer 5 executes step S
At 80, it is determined whether or not the last data has been transmitted, and when it is determined that the last data has been transmitted, the processing ends.

Next, the processing of the main microcomputer 5 for setting the activation flag will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This process is executed, for example, after the rewriting process described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11 is performed.

In step S91, the main microcomputer 5 determines whether or not it has been notified from all the sub-microcomputers that the rewriting of the program has been completed. That is, as will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 13, after rewriting (version up) the program using the version up program transferred from the main microcomputer 5, the rewriting of each sub-microcomputer is completed. This is notified to the main microcomputer 5.

When the main microcomputer 5 determines in step S91 that the completion of rewriting has not been notified from all the sub-microcomputers, step S9
In step 2, it is determined whether a predetermined time has passed. When it is determined in step S92 that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the main microcomputer 5 returns to step S91 to repeatedly execute the subsequent processing, and when it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, ends the processing. Let That is, the process ends without changing the setting of the activation flag.

On the other hand, if the main microcomputer 5 determines in step S91 that all sub-microcomputers have notified that the rewriting has been completed, it proceeds to step S9.
Then, the process proceeds to step 3, and then it is determined whether all the sub-microcomputers have normally completed the rewriting (version up).
For example, when the rewriting is interrupted by the user and one of the sub-microcomputers notifies that the rewriting cannot be normally performed, the main microcomputer 5
Determines in step S93 that all the sub-microcomputers could not end rewriting normally,
The process ends without changing the flag setting.

Therefore, of the sub-microcomputers A to C, 1
Even if two sub-microcomputers could not be rewritten normally, the startup flag will not be rewritten, and the next time it is started, the same startup flag setting as when it was last started is set. Based on, the program to be started is specified.

When the main microcomputer 9 determines in step S93 that all sub-microcomputers have notified that the rewriting has been normally completed, the main microcomputer 9 proceeds to step S93.
In step 94, the setting of the start flag is rewritten. As a result, the next time the activation is instructed, the program is activated based on the rewritten activation flag setting.

Next, the processing of the sub-microcomputer A9 that rewrites its own program based on the version-up program transferred from the main microcomputer 5 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In addition,
Similar processing is executed in the sub-microcomputer B11 and the sub-microcomputer C14.

The processing of steps S101 to S103 is the same as the processing of steps S21 to S23 described with reference to FIG. That is, the sub-microcomputer A9 is started by the boot program stored in the fixed program area 41 of the flash memory 10 in step S101, and then in step S102.
Then, it is determined whether or not the activation flag setting has been notified.

In step S102, the sub-microcomputer A9 waits until it is determined that the setting of the activation flag has been notified. When it is determined that the setting has been notified, the sub-microcomputer A9 proceeds to step S103 and stores it in the area designated by the activation flag. It is started by the program.

Then, the sub-microcomputer A9 executes step S
At 104, it is determined whether or not the version upgrade program has been transferred from the main microcomputer 5, and the process waits until it is determined that the version upgrade program has been transferred.

When the sub-microcomputer A9 determines in step S104 that the version-up program has been transferred, the sub-microcomputer A9 proceeds to step S105 to check the version-up program for errors. Specifically, the sub-microcomputer A9 performs an error check of the version upgrade program using a checksum or CRC, and determines in step S106 whether an error has been detected.

When the sub-microcomputer A9 determines in step S106 that an error has been detected in the transferred version upgrade program, the sub-microcomputer A9 advances to step S107 and informs the main microcomputer 5 that rewriting cannot be normally performed. Notice. For example, sub-microcomputer A
9 transfers to the main microcomputer 5 a flag in which it has been set that normal rewriting could not be performed. After that, the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S106 that the sub-microcomputer A9 has not detected an error in the transferred version-up program, the process proceeds to step S108. It is determined whether or not the program is read from the program area A42.

In step S108, the sub-microcomputer A9 determines that the currently activated program is not the program read from the variable program area A42 (it is the program read from the variable program area B43).
If it is determined that the acquired version upgrade program is the variable program area A42, the process proceeds to step S109.
Write in. As a result, the program stored in the variable program area A42 is upgraded.

On the other hand, in step S108, when the sub-microcomputer A9 determines that the currently activated program is the program read from the variable program area A42, the process proceeds to step S110, and the acquired version upgrade program is changed to the variable program. Write to area B43.

In step S111, the sub-microcomputer A9 determines whether or not the writing of the version upgrade program has been completed normally. If it is determined that the writing has not been completed normally, the sub-microcomputer A9 proceeds to step S107 to perform the writing normally. The main microcomputer 5 is notified of the failure, and the process ends.

Further, the sub-microcomputer A9 executes step S1.
When it is determined in 11 that the writing of the version upgrade program is normally completed, the process proceeds to step S112, and the main microcomputer 5 is notified that the writing is normally completed. That is, the sub-microcomputer A9 transmits to the main microcomputer 5 a flag that sets that writing has been completed normally.

Through the above processing, the variable program area A
42 and the program stored in the variable program area B43, the older version of the program is upgraded by the version upgrade program transmitted via the digital broadcast wave.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a specific example of the rewriting process described with reference to FIGS.

In the example of FIG. 14, the state of the television receiver, the operation of the main microcomputer 5, the operation of the sub-microcomputer A9, the operation of the sub-microcomputer B11, and the operation of the sub-microcomputer C14 are shown from the top. The horizontal axis represents time.

For example, at time t ₂₁ , the TV microcomputer 1
When the activation is requested by 6, the television receiver that has been in the standby state until then (period T ₅₁ ) is internally in the state of executing the download, and various processing is performed in each microcomputer. .

First, in the period T ₆₁ , the main microcomputer 5 and the sub-microcomputers A to C perform the same starting process as that described with reference to FIG.

For example, in the period T ₇₁ , the main microcomputer 5 is activated by the boot program and then based on the setting of the activation flag (setting A), the variable program area A
The version 3 program stored in 32 is read out and activated in the period T ₇₂ (processing of step S65 of FIG. 10). In the example of FIG. 14, the version 3 program is stored in the area A (variable program area A 32) of the flash memory 7, and the version 2 program is stored in the area B (variable program area B 33). ing.

In the period T ₇₃ , the main microcomputer 5
Notify each sub-microcomputer of the setting of the startup flag,
Request to start the program.

On the other hand, the sub-microcomputer A9 is activated by the boot program in the period T ₉₁ , and waits in the period T ₉₂ until the activation flag setting is notified.
In this example, area A (variable program area 42
Since the start flag instructs to start the program stored in A), the sub-microcomputer A9
Activates the version 5 program stored in the variable program area 42A of the flash memory 10 in the period T ₉₃ .

Similarly, the sub-microcomputer B11 is also activated by the boot program in the period T ₁₀₁ , and then by the activation flag, the area A (variable program area 5
In response to the instruction to activate the program stored in 2A), the version 3 program stored in the variable program area 52A of the flash memory 12 is activated in the period T ₁₀₃ .

Similarly, in the period T ₁₂₁ , the sub-microcomputer C14 is also activated by the boot program, and then the activation flag instructs the activation of the program stored in the area A (variable program area 62A). In response to this, in the period T ₁₂₃ , the version 7 program stored in the variable program area 62A of the flash memory 15 is activated.

The main microcomputer 5 is the demultiplexer 2
When the version upgrade program 71 is supplied from the above, the check is performed in the period T ₇₄ , and the area opposite to the area where the currently activated program is stored (the older version of the program is stored). Area), the version upgrade program 71-
1 is written (step S76 or step S77 in FIG. 11). In this example, the version 2 program stored in the variable program area B33 is rewritten to the version 4 program.

Further, in the example of FIG. 14, the main microcomputer 5 has the version upgrade program 71-2 for the sub-microcomputer A9 included in the version upgrade program 71 and the sub-microcomputer C1 in the period T ₇₅ .
The version upgrade program 71-4 for 4 is checked and transmitted to the respective microcomputers (processing of step S81 in FIG. 11).

[0135] sub-microcomputer A9, when the upgrade program 71-2 from the main microcomputer 5 is transmitted, in the period T _94, it, variable program area B where older version of the program is stored
Write in 43. In this example, the version 4 program is upgraded to the version 6 program by the version upgrade program 71-2.

[0136] sub-microcomputer A9, when upgrading by upgrade program 71-2 is completed successfully, in the period T _95, the main microcomputer 5 it
To notify.

Similarly, the sub-microcomputer C14 also updates the version upgrade program 71-4 from the main microcomputer 5.
Is sent during period T ₁₂₄ ,
Write to the variable program area B63 in which an older version of the program is stored. In this example,
The version 6 program is upgraded to the version 8 program by the version upgrade program 71-4, and thereafter, in a period T ₁₂₅ ,
The main microcomputer 5 is notified that the version upgrade has been completed normally.

In the example of FIG. 14, it is said that the version upgrade program 71 could not upgrade the program of the sub-microcomputer B11 due to a communication error or the like.
The version upgrade of the first program is performed by the version upgrade program 72. As described above, a plurality of the same version upgrade programs are transmitted so that the version upgrade can be performed more reliably.

That is, when the main microcomputer 5 acquires the version upgrade program 72, the main microcomputer 5 checks it during the period T ₇₆ and sends the version upgrade program 72-3 to the sub-microcomputer B11.

[0140] Then, the sub-microcomputer B11, when the upgrade program 72-3 from the main microcomputer 5 is transmitted, in the period T _104, it, in the variable program area B53 where older version of the program is stored Write. In this example, the version upgrade program 72-3 causes the version 2
Has been upgraded to the version 4 program. Sub-microcomputer B11 is then, in the period T _105, notifying that the update was completed successfully to the main microcomputer 5.

The main microcomputer 5 changes the setting of the activation flag in the period T ₇₇ when it is notified from all the sub-microcomputers that the version upgrade of the program has been completed normally. In the example of FIG. 14, in all the flash memories, the program stored in the area B (variable program area B33, variable program area B43, variable program area B53, variable program area B63) is the area A (variable program area). Program area A3
2, variable program area A42, variable program area A
52, since it has been rewritten with a newer program than the program stored in the variable program area A62),
The main microcomputer 5 rewrites the setting of the startup flag to "setting B".

As a result, when the next activation is instructed,
The programs stored in the area B (variable program area B33, variable program area B43, variable program area B53, variable program area B63) are respectively activated. It should be noted that the area designated by the start-up flag may be different for each microcomputer as long as the started-up program can execute various processes in conjunction with each other. For example, set the startup flag
The area A (variable program area A32) can be designated for the main microcomputer 5, and the area B (variable program area B43) can be designated for the sub-microcomputer A9.

Then, when the setting of the activation flag is changed, the main microcomputer 5 notifies the power supply control circuit (not shown) that the writing is completed in the period T ₇₈ , and stops the power supply.

As a result, in the period T ₅₃ , the television receiver is in a standby state where no operation is performed.

Then, at the time t ₂₂ , when the user instructs the power-on, the television receiver which has been in the standby state until then becomes the power-on state, and in each microcomputer, referring to FIG. The same startup process as that described is performed.

That is, in the period T ₇₉ , the main microcomputer 5 performs the starting process based on the boot program, and similarly, the period T ₉₆ , the period T ₁₀₆ , and the period T _126.
In the above, the sub-microcomputers A to C respectively perform the starting process based on the boot program.

In the main microcomputer 5, when the startup by the boot program is completed, the flash memory 7
Then, the latest version of the program, that is, the version 4 program written in the variable program area B33 is read out and activated in the period T ₈₀ .

Then, the main microcomputer 5 notifies each sub-microcomputer of the setting of the activation flag, and thereafter executes various processes based on the version 4 program read from the variable program area B33.

When the sub-microcomputers A to C have been notified of the setting of the activation flag by the main microcomputer 5, the sub-microcomputers A to C
₉₈ , period T ₁₀₈ , and period T ₁₂₈ , respectively,
Start the latest version of the program rewritten by the version upgrade program. In the example of FIG. 14, the sub-microcomputer A9 activates the version 6 program, the sub-microcomputer B11 activates the version 4 program, and the sub-microcomputer C14 activates the version 8 program. After that, various processes are performed by each microcomputer.

By the above processing, the downloaded version-up program is stored in the area in which the old version of the program is stored, out of the two variable program areas. However, the program in the area in which the new version of the program, which has not been written, is still stored can be used as a valid program.

Further, since the setting of the start flag is changed when the version upgrade of the programs of all the sub-microcomputers is completed, each microcomputer cooperates due to the mismatch of the rewritten program versions. It is possible to suppress that processing cannot be performed. For example, if the setting of the startup flag is changed even though the program of one of the microcomputers has not been upgraded, the program that has been started is started by the startup of the program based on the setting of the startup flag. , It may be a version that cannot perform various processes in cooperation.

In the above, the processing such as downloading the version-up program and rewriting the program is executed in the standby state. However, while controlling the output of video and audio while the power is on, You may make it perform those processes. In that case, since each microcomputer is in the activated state, the timer setting process (for example, the process described with reference to FIG. 8) performed based on SDTT is omitted.

Further, although the flash memory 7 is provided with the variable program area A32 and the variable program area B33, a larger number of areas may be provided. In this case, each area may be specified by specifying the address, or each program may be managed by a file. Also,
You may make it manage a program by a directory structure. The same applies to the other flash memories (flash memories 10, 12, 15).

In the above description, the microcomputer 5 controlling the demultiplexer 2 also manages the programs of other microcomputers, but the other microcomputers execute the processing of the microcomputer 5 as described above. You may do it. For example, the microcomputer 9 and the microcomputer 1
6, the processing of the microcomputer 5 as described above may be executed.

The case where the present invention is applied to a television receiver has been described.
It can also be applied when upgrading the microcomputer program of Top Box). Further, the present invention can be applied not only to devices handling BS (Broadcasting Satellite) digital broadcasting but also to devices handling CS (Communications Satellite) digital broadcasting and terrestrial digital broadcasting.

[0156]

According to the broadcast receiving apparatus and the broadcast receiving method of the present invention, a plurality of versions of the first program used by the first microcomputer are stored and a plurality of versions used by the second microcomputer are stored. A version of the second program. The first microcomputer activates the version of the first program specified by the flag among the plurality of versions of the first program, and notifies the second microcomputer of the flag setting. Furthermore, the second
Of the second program of the plurality of versions of the second program is started based on the setting of the flag notified from the first microcomputer. It is possible to easily change or add the respective functions of the plurality of microcomputers provided in the broadcast receiving device, and then execute the normal operation according to the started program.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a television receiver to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a concept of downloading a version upgrade program.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of SDTT in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a version upgrade program of FIG.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the main microcomputer of FIG.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a sub-microcomputer A in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of a startup process.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating another process of the main microcomputer of FIG.

9 is a flowchart illustrating processing of the TV microcomputer of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating still another process of the main microcomputer of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating still another process of the main microcomputer of FIG. 1, following FIG.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the main microcomputer of FIG.

13 is a flowchart illustrating another process of the sub-microcomputer A of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a specific example of a download process.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 demultiplexer, 5 microcomputer,
6 SDRAM, 7 flash memory, 9 microcomputer, 10 flash memory, 11 microcomputer, 12 flash memory, 14
Microcomputer, 15 flash memory

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 7/08 H04N 7/08 Z 7/081 F term (reference) 5B076 AB10 AC05 AC07 BA05 BB06 EB02 5C025 BA27 BA30 DA01 DA04 DA05 DA10 5C026 EA07 5C063 AB03 AB05 AC01 AC05 AC10 CA23 5K061 AA14 BB06 CC00 HH00

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A broadcast receiving apparatus having at least a first microcomputer and a second microcomputer, wherein first storage means stores a plurality of versions of the first program used by the first microcomputer. And second storage means for storing a plurality of versions of the second program used by the second microcomputer, wherein the first microcomputer is stored by the first storage means. Of the plurality of versions of the first program, the version of the first program specified by a flag is activated, and the setting of the flag is notified to the second microcomputer. The computer receives the notification from the first microcomputer. A broadcast receiving device, characterized in that a predetermined version of the second program among the plurality of versions of the second program stored in the second storage means is started based on a lag setting. . 2. The first program of a version different from the first program stored in the first storage means, and the second program stored in the second storage means. The broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an acquisition unit that acquires different versions of the second program via broadcast waves. 3. The first microcomputer utilizes the first program acquired by the acquisition means, and uses the first program, which is the oldest version of the first program stored in the first storage means. The second storage means rewrites the oldest version of the second program stored in the second storage means by using the second program acquired by the acquisition means. The broadcast receiving device according to claim 2, characterized in that: 4. The oldest version of the first program is rewritten by the first microcomputer, and the oldest version of the second program is rewritten by the second microcomputer, The first microcomputer changes the setting of the flag so that the latest versions of the first program and the second program are activated when the broadcast receiving device is activated next time. The broadcast receiving device according to claim 3, wherein 5. A broadcast receiving method of a broadcast receiving apparatus having at least a first microcomputer and a second microcomputer, wherein a plurality of versions of the first program used by the first microcomputer are stored. A first storing step, and a second storing step for storing a plurality of versions of the second program used by the second microcomputer, the first storing step being performed by the first microcomputer. Of the plurality of versions of the first program stored by the processing of step S1, the version of the first program specified by the flag is started, and the setting of the flag is notified to the second microcomputer. The first microcomputer is controlled by the second microcomputer. Based on the setting of the flag notified from the microcomputer, a predetermined version of the second program of the plurality of versions of the second program stored by the process of the second storage step is A broadcast receiving method characterized by being activated.