JP2008278098A - Digital broadcast receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a receiver allowing the update of receiver software to be performed by limiting receiver hard individuals or according to the state of use of a user. <P>SOLUTION: A memory 107 for information storage of a receiver is made to store numbers or characters or symbols showing individual identification till shipping. After it is determined that the update of software is operated, the numbers or characters or symbols to specify receiver individuals as the object of update are described in "information area=private_data_byte which is freely available by a maker" in announcement information, and transmission with a broadcasting wave is started. The receiver acquires "maker ID" and "model ID" through a tuner part 101, a demodulator part 102 and a DeMUX part 103 with a CPU part 106, and when judging that its own equipment is targeted, the receiver compares the "private_data_byte" of the announcement information with the information showing the individual identification of the memory 107 for information storage, and when those information are matched, the receiver registers reception reservation to a sub-CPU 108 for reservation start based on the "information of software transmission channel and date". <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for updating receiver software using a broadcast wave in a digital broadcast receiver.

  Conventionally, in receiver software update technology using broadcast waves, the model name and the version number of the receiver software in operation are used as judgment materials (information) on whether or not to update. It was not intended to selectively update each individual.

  Patent Document 1 below proposes a technique for determining whether to update channel information using broadcast waves using a geographical identifier. Using the geographical identifier, update is performed for a receiver installed at an address that requires channel information update.

Japanese translation of PCT publication No. 2002-516041

  The above proposal uses the region identifier for update determination, and subdivides the update execution according to the receiver installation area of the user. Whether or not updating is possible is not determined by (used function, selected channel, selected broadcast media).

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique that can update the receiver software by limiting the hardware of the receiver, or according to the usage state of the user.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, a digital broadcast receiver capable of acquiring private_data_byte information of notification information, refers to individual identification information that can identify a receiver, and updates receiver software by broadcast waves. There is provided a digital broadcast receiver characterized by having a determination means for determining the necessity of software update by collating with private_data_byte describing the individual identification information to be implemented.

  As a result, when the individual identification information of the receiver (for example, the number, characters and symbols uniquely held by the receiver) and the individual identification information (number, characters and symbols) described in private_data_byte match ( In addition, it may be determined that the receiver software needs to be updated when there is no match or the range of numbers or characters may be limited. Based on this determination, the receiver software can be updated.

Furthermore, it is preferable to have means for newly holding individual identification information.
As a result, for example, the MAC-ID of the LAN system is acquired and used as individual identification information unique to the individual receiver. When the individual identification information matches the information described in private_data_byte, the receiver software needs to be updated. The receiver software can be updated.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a digital broadcast receiver capable of acquiring private_data_byte information of notification information, a memory device holding an operation history of a used function, and referring to the operation history, There is provided a digital broadcast receiver characterized by having a judging means for collating with a private_data_byte that describes a reception state that is a target when the receiver software is updated by a broadcast wave, and determining the necessity of software update. The

  Accordingly, when the operation history matches the reception state described in private_data_byte, it is determined that the receiver software needs to be updated, and the receiver software can be updated.

  In addition, it is a digital broadcast receiver capable of acquiring private_data_byte information of announcement information, and is a target when updating receiver software by broadcast waves with reference to the memory device that holds the viewing history and the viewing history There is provided a digital broadcast receiver characterized by having a judging means for collating with private_data_byte describing the viewing history and judging the necessity of software update.

  Accordingly, when the viewing history and the viewing history described in private_data_byte match, it is determined that the receiver software needs to be updated, and the receiver software can be updated.

  Furthermore, a digital broadcast receiver capable of acquiring information of text_char of the notification information, means for holding individual identification information, and the implementation target when updating the receiver software by a broadcast wave with reference to the individual identification information There is provided a digital broadcast receiver characterized by comprising determination means for collating with text_char describing the individual identification information to determine whether or not software update is necessary.

  As a result, when the individual identification information (number, character / symbol) of the receiver matches the individual identification information (number, character / symbol) described in text_char, it is determined that the receiver software needs to be updated. Then, the receiver software can be updated.

  The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 5, further comprising means for newly storing individual identification information, wherein the digital broadcast receiver is capable of acquiring information of text_char of notification information.

  Thus, for example, when the MAC-ID of the LAN system is used as individual identification information unique to each receiver, and the individual identification information matches the information described in text_char, the receiver software needs to be updated. It is possible to make a determination and update the receiver software.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a digital broadcast receiver capable of acquiring information of text_char of notification information, a memory device that holds an operation history of a used function, and the operation history is referred to. There is provided a digital broadcast receiver characterized by having a determination means for checking the necessity of software update by collating with text_char that describes a reception state to be updated when the receiver software is updated by .

  Accordingly, when the operation history matches the reception state described in text_char, it is determined that the receiver software needs to be updated, and the receiver software can be updated.

  Also, a digital broadcast receiver capable of acquiring text_char information of notification information, a memory device that holds a user's viewing history, and the viewing history is referred to when updating receiver software by broadcast waves There is provided a digital broadcast receiver characterized by having a judgment means for collating with text_char describing the viewing history to be determined and determining the necessity of software update.

  Thereby, when the viewing history matches the viewing history described in text_char, it is determined that the receiver software needs to be updated, and the receiver software can be updated.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for updating software in a digital broadcast receiver, which can identify an individual of a digital broadcast receiver that needs software update from notification information obtained from the digital broadcast. Obtaining identification information, comparing the individual identification information with its own individual identification information, and determining whether or not the individual needs software update based on the comparison step. A method characterized by this is provided.

  When it is determined that the individual needs software update, the process can proceed to software update processing. The reservation can be executed by, for example, a reservation start sub-CPU.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to update the receiver software by limiting the receiver hardware individual. In addition, the receiver software can be updated according to the usage state of the user. Therefore, the software update can be performed finely.

  In this specification, numbers such as “maker ID” and “model ID” and characters / symbols are information for limiting the model and can be defined as “model identification information”. On the other hand, “individual identification information” can be defined as identifying each individual in the receiver model claimed by this patent.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, reception of notification information necessary for performing software update processing using broadcast waves will be described. The receiver acquires notification information transmitted on all broadcast channels while the user is receiving any broadcast channel. The notification information includes information such as “manufacturer ID”, “model ID”, “software transmission channel and date / time information”, “message information addressed to the user = text_char”, and “information area freely available to the manufacturer = private_data_byte”. Are listed.

  The receiver can determine whether or not the notification information is for the self-device by referring to the “maker ID” and “model ID”. If it is determined that the device itself is the target, then the reception reservation operation for acquiring the software is started based on “software transmission channel and date / time information”, and “message information addressed to user = text_char” is set. Based on this, processing for displaying a message such as software update processing will be performed soon. When the reservation date and time when the reception reservation is made is reached, the receiver is activated for software update, receives the designated channel, and performs update processing.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a receiver according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and mainly shows elements necessary for a receiver software update operation by a broadcast wave. The notification information reaches from the tuner unit 101 to the DeMUX (Demultiplexer) unit 103 via the demodulator unit 102, and the CPU unit 106 acquires the “maker ID” and “model ID”. The information of the information area that can be used for private = data_byte is also acquired and collated with numbers, characters, symbols, and the like that can identify the individual stored in the receiver in advance before the receiver is shipped. Perform update target determination. If it is determined that the own device is to be updated, reception reservation registration is performed in the reservation activation sub-CPU unit 108 based on “software transmission channel and date / time information”. The reservation activation sub-CPU 108 functions as a microcomputer that controls the activation of the system power. The receiver plays a role of turning on the receiver at an arbitrary time by a process of returning from the standby state to the ON state by a remote controller or the like, and timer reservation. As for power supply, in the “standby state”, power supply to most circuits is generally turned off and only the sub CPU is left. That is, it is designed so that only the sub CPU on the circuit does not lose power. In parallel with the above processing, the CPU unit 106 generates a message screen with the video output unit 105 based on the “message information for user”, and displays that the software update processing will be performed soon. The user can know in advance that the software update process will be performed soon after seeing this display. Since the receiver software update process is performed in the standby state, the user sets the receiver in the standby state, so that the sub CPU 108 continues in the standby state, and the receiver is set from the standby state at the date and time when the reception reservation is registered. The receiver software is updated by returning to the ON state and receiving a predetermined reception channel.

  Next, a software update technique according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described. When it is determined that the software update is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the receiver that can specify the individual receiver to be updated in the “information area that can be freely used by the manufacturer = private_data_byte” in the notification information, The number or character / symbol corresponding to the ID unique to each receiver installed in another application, for example, if the receiver is equipped with a LAN function, the MAC-ID value is entered, and a broadcast wave is transmitted through a predetermined procedure. Start sending with.

  The receiver acquires the “maker ID” and “model ID” from the notification information with the CPU unit 106 via the tuner unit 101, the demodulator unit 102, and the DeMUX unit 103. If it can be determined, the “information area that can be freely used by the manufacturer = private_data_byte” in the notification information and the MAC-ID of the LAN system unit 111 of the receiver are acquired and compared. The reception reservation is registered in the reservation activation sub-CPU 108 based on the “date and time information”. In parallel with this, the CPU unit 106 generates a message screen with the video output unit 105 based on “message information for user = text_char”, and displays that the software update will be performed soon. Update processing is performed.

  Next, a software update technique according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. When it is decided to update the software in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the receiver operation history that restricts the receiver to be updated to “information area that can be freely used by the manufacturer = private_data_byte” in the notification information SDTT The broadcast wave is transmitted after a predetermined procedure.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the receiver operation history has a format in which data is stored as the number of operations of each operation menu. When it reaches the maximum value, the count is stopped, and everything is reset by updating the software.

  The receiver acquires “maker ID” and “model ID” from the notification information with the CPU unit 106 via the tuner unit 101, demodulator unit 102, and DeMUX unit 103, and the self-device is determined to be updated. If the value of the latter (number of operations or information area) is large, the “information area that can be freely used by the manufacturer = private_data_byte” of the notification information and the operation history information of the information storage memory unit 107 of the receiver are compared. The reception reservation is registered in the reservation activation sub-CPU 108 based on the “transmission channel and date / time information”.

  In parallel, the CPU unit 106 generates a message screen with the video output unit 105 from “message information for user = text_char”, displays that the software update will be performed soon, and performs the update process at that date and time. Is called.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. If it is decided to update the software in the same way as in the first embodiment, the receiver viewing history that limits the receiver to be updated to “information area that can be freely used by the manufacturer = private_data_byte” in the notification information is displayed. It is described, and broadcast wave transmission is started through a predetermined procedure.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the receiver viewing history has a format in which the number of times of viewing for each channel (ch) is stored as data, and stores an incremented value every time it is viewed. Stop counting when the number of views reaches the maximum. When the software is updated, all the channels in the right diagram and the data of the number of viewing times are reset.

  The receiver acquires the “maker ID” and “model ID” from the notification information with the CPU unit 106 via the tuner unit 101, the demodulator unit 102, and the DeMUX unit 103, and the own device is an update target device. If it can be determined, it compares the notification information “information area that can be freely used by the manufacturer = private_data_byte” and the viewing history information in the information storage memory unit 107 of the receiver. The reception reservation is registered in the reservation activation sub CPU 108 based on the “information”. In parallel, the CPU unit 106 generates a message screen with the video output unit 105 from “message information addressed to user = text_char”, displays that the software update will be performed soon, and the update process is performed at the date and time.

  Next explained is a receiver according to the fifth embodiment of the invention. In the present embodiment, numbers, characters and symbols representing individual identification are newly stored in the information storage memory 107 of the receiver before shipment. When it is decided to update the software, the message information that contains numbers, characters, and symbols that identify the individual receiver to be updated in the “message information for the user = text_char” in the notification information is in a format and format that can be read by the user. It is described, and transmission is started by a broadcast wave through a predetermined procedure. The receiver acquires “maker ID” and “model ID” from the notification information with the CPU unit 106 via the tuner unit 101, the demodulator unit 102, and the DeMUX unit 103, and notifies if the own device can be determined to be updated. Numbers, characters, and symbol parts that identify individual receivers described in "Message information addressed to user = text_char" in the information (that is, "descriptions that identify individuals" excluding so-called redundant expressions that are readable by the user) Information portion) and information representing individual identification of the information storage memory 107 are compared, and if they match, the reception reservation registration is performed to the reservation activation sub-CPU 108 based on the “software transmission channel and date / time information”. At the same time, the CPU unit 106 generates a message screen with the video output unit 105 from the “message information addressed to the user”, displays that software update will be performed soon, and performs update processing at the date and time.

Next explained is a receiver according to the sixth embodiment of the invention.
Similarly to the above, when it is decided to update the software, the receiver that can be used to identify the individual receiver to be updated in the “message information for user = text_char” in the notification information is installed for another purpose. The number and characters / symbols corresponding to the ID unique to each individual, for example, if the receiver is equipped with a LAN function, a message including the MAC-ID value is described in a form and format that can be read by the user, and broadcasted through a predetermined procedure. Start sending by wave. The receiver acquires the “maker ID” and “model ID” in the notification information by the CPU unit 106 via the tuner unit 101, the demodulator unit 102, and the DeMUX unit 103, and if the receiver can determine that the own device is an update target, A description indicating the MAC-ID described in “message information addressed to the user = text_char” of the notification information (that is, the information part of only the “MAC-ID” excluding the so-called redundant expression that is handled by the content / format that the user can read) and reception The MAC-ID of the LAN system unit 111 of the machine is compared, and if they match, the reception reservation registration is performed to the reservation activation sub CPU 108 based on “software transmission channel and date / time information”. At the same time, the CPU unit 106 generates a message screen with the video output unit 105 from “message information for user = text_char”, displays that the software update will be performed soon, and performs update processing at that date and time. Is called.

  Next explained is a receiver according to the seventh embodiment of the invention. In the same way as above, when it is decided to update the software, the message including the receiver operation history that restricts the receiver to be updated to “Message information addressed to the user = text_char” in the notification information can also be read by the user In the format, the broadcast wave transmission is started through a predetermined procedure. As shown in FIG. 4, the receiver operation history has a format in which each operation menu is stored as the number of operations, and when the number of operations reaches the maximum value, the count is stopped and software update is performed. And the number of operations are reset. The receiver acquires the “maker ID” and “model ID” in the notification information through the tuner unit 101, the demodulator unit 102, and the DeMUX unit, and if the own device can be determined to be updated, the notification information Description of the operation history information described in “Message information addressed to the user = text_char” (that is, the information part of only the “description of receiver operation history information” excluding the so-called redundant expression as the content / format which can be read by the user) and The operation history information in the information storage memory unit 107 of the receiver is compared, and if the latter value is large, the reception reservation is registered in the reservation activation sub-CPU 108 based on the “software transmission channel and date / time information”. In parallel, the CPU unit 106 generates a message screen with the video output unit 105 from “message information addressed to user = text_char”, displays that the software update will be performed soon, and the update process is performed at the date and time.

  Next explained is a receiver according to the eighth embodiment of the invention. Similarly, when it is decided to update the software, the message including the receiver viewing history that restricts the receiver to be updated to “message information addressed to the user = text_char” in the notification information in a format and content that can be read by the user. It is described, and broadcast wave transmission is started through a predetermined procedure. As shown in FIG. 7, the receiver operation history has a format in which the number of times of viewing is stored in data for each channel (ch). When the number of operations reaches the maximum value, the count is stopped, and when the software is updated, The data and value are reset. The receiver acquires “maker ID” and “model ID” in the notification information in the CPU unit 106 via the tuner unit 101, the demodulator unit 102, and the DeMUX unit 103, and determines that the own device is to be updated. If possible, a description indicating the viewing history information described in “message information addressed to the user = text_char” of the notification information (that is, only “description of the receiver viewing history information” excluding the so-called redundant expression as the content / format which can be read by the user) Information portion) and viewing history information in the information storage memory unit 107 of the receiver are compared, and if the latter value is large, reception reservation registration is performed in the reservation activation sub-CPU 108 based on “software transmission channel and date / time information”. I do. In parallel, the CPU unit 106 generates a message screen with the video output unit 105 from “message information addressed to user = text_char”, displays that the software update will be performed soon, and the update process is performed at the date and time.

  In addition, as a common matter of each of the first to eighth embodiments, the value of the receiver and the determination value of the notification information may be equal to each other, or may be a value that is either larger or smaller. May be used.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of determination processing using private_data_byte as the individual identification information from the notification information according to the present embodiment, and is common processing in the first to fourth embodiments.

  After obtaining the notification information (step S1), the receiver determines whether or not there is a private_data_byte in step S2. If there is (Yes), the receiver performs an update information analysis process in step S3, and the description information in the private_data_byte, When compared with the receiver individual identification information in the information storage memory 107 in FIG. 1 (steps S4 and S5) and determined to be an update target (Yes), the receiver performs reception reservation processing and software reception after restart. A series of update processing such as processing is completed (step S6), and the system waits for the next software update processing (step S7).

  On the other hand, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing example of determination processing using text_char as individual identification information from notification information according to the present embodiment, and is common processing in the fifth to eighth embodiments.

  After the notification information is acquired (step S11), the receiver determines whether or not text_info_flag is set in step S12. If the flag is set (Yes), the receiver performs an update information analysis process in step S13. Compared with the history information in the information storage memory (steps S14 and S15), if it is an update target (Yes), the receiver completes a series of update processing such as reception reservation processing and software reception processing after restart (step S14). In step S16, the system waits for the next software update process (step S17).

  According to the present invention, in the receiver software update using the broadcast radio wave, it is possible to carry out the individual selective update by adding further limiting conditions to the models having the same model ID. In addition, selective update processing according to the usage status of the receiver can be performed.

  As described above, according to the technique according to the present embodiment, it is possible to update the receiver software by limiting the receiver hardware. It is also possible to implement according to the usage state of the user. Therefore, there is an advantage that the degree of freedom increases when the receiver software is updated using broadcast waves.

  The present invention can be used to update software of a receiver.

It is a functional block diagram which shows the example of 1 structure of the receiver by one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of description of the limited update discrimination | determination information format described in private_data_byte. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of the determination process of discrimination | determination information from the notification information by this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of description of the limited update determination information format described in text_char. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of the determination process of discrimination | determination information from the notification information by this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of description of the limited update discrimination | determination information format described in private_data_byte. It is a figure which shows the example of description of the limited update determination information format described in text_char.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Tuner part 102 Demodulator part 103 DeMUX part 104 MPEG decoder part 105 Image | video output part 106 CPU part 107 Information storage memory part 108 Reservation starting sub CPU part 110 Image | video display part 111 LAN system part

Claims (9)

A digital broadcast receiver capable of acquiring private_data_byte information of notification information,
Software update is required by referring to individual identification information that can individually identify each individual receiver and collating with private_data_byte that describes the individual identification information to be implemented when updating the receiver software by broadcast waves A digital broadcast receiver comprising determination means for determining sex.   The receiver according to claim 1, further comprising means for newly holding individual identification information. A digital broadcast receiver capable of acquiring private_data_byte information of notification information,
A memory device that holds an operation history of the function used;
It has a judging means for referring to the operation history and collating with private_data_byte that describes a reception state that is a target at the time of updating the receiver software by the broadcast wave, and determining the necessity of software update. Digital broadcast receiver. A digital broadcast receiver capable of acquiring private_data_byte information of notification information,
A memory device for holding a viewing history;
A digital device comprising: a determination means for referring to the viewing history, collating with private_data_byte describing a target viewing history when the receiver software is updated by a broadcast wave, and determining the necessity of software update Broadcast receiver. A digital broadcast receiver capable of acquiring information of text_char of notification information,
Means for holding individual identification information;
Refer to the individual identification information that can individually identify each individual receiver, collate it with the text_char that describes the individual identification information to be implemented when updating the receiver software by broadcast waves, and confirm the necessity of software update A digital broadcast receiver comprising: a determination means for determining. A digital broadcast receiver capable of acquiring information of text_char of notification information,
6. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 5, further comprising means for newly holding individual identification information. A digital broadcast receiver capable of acquiring information of text_char of notification information,
A memory device that holds the operation history of the used function;
It has a determination unit that refers to the operation history and collates with a text_char that describes a reception state to be updated when the receiver software is updated by a broadcast wave, and determines the necessity of software update. Digital broadcast receiver. A digital broadcast receiver capable of acquiring information of text_char of notification information,
A memory device that holds the user's viewing history;
A digital unit comprising: a determination unit that refers to the viewing history, collates with text_char that describes a target viewing history when the receiver software is updated by broadcast waves, and determines the necessity of software update Broadcast receiver. A method of updating software in a digital broadcast receiver,
From the notification information obtained from the digital broadcast, obtaining individual identification information that can identify the individual of the digital broadcast receiver that requires software update, and comparing the individual identification information with its own individual identification information;
Determining whether the individual needs software update based on the comparing step.

Images