JP2010218495A - Electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide electronic equipment provided with a protection part for preventing improper data from being input to cause a failure. <P>SOLUTION: The electronic equipment includes a control part C for controlling the electronic equipment, a reading part E for reading data of a recording medium to be connected, a power supply S for feeding operation power of the reading part E, and a protecting part P for controlling the permission/inhibition of feeding the operation power input from the power supply C to the reading part E. The protecting part P is controlled by the control part C, and when the control part C confirms that improper data is read from the reading part E, the control part C controls the protecting part P to stop the feeding of the operation power to the reading part E. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device including a protection unit that prevents occurrence of a failure or malfunction.

  In recent years, home electronic devices other than computers such as personal computers (for example, televisions, recorders, game devices, etc.) that perform advanced operation control using computers have become widespread. Some of such electronic devices can be updated with firmware in order to improve or stabilize the operation after being sold and delivered to the user.

  For example, an update program (hereinafter also simply referred to as a program) is acquired by connecting to a network such as the Internet to perform an update, and an update program is received by a wireless transmission (patent) References 1-3).

  However, there are electronic devices that do not acquire the program themselves, for example, do not have a communication function. In such an electronic device, the program is recorded on a recording medium such as a semiconductor memory, and the program is updated by connecting the program to the electronic device (see Patent Document 4).

JP 2008-262454 A International Publication No. WO2006 / 046506 JP 2002-163112 A JP 2004-62353 A

  When updating using a recording medium, it is necessary to provide the electronic device with a reading unit for reading a program from the recording medium. The type of the reading unit is determined according to the recording medium to be applied. For example, when a general-purpose semiconductor memory is applied as a recording medium, the reading unit may be configured with a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal or the like.

  When the reading unit is configured with such general-purpose terminals, a recording medium that records data that has nothing to do with the update program (for example, data such as image data or a program for other purposes) There may be a case where the user is mistakenly connected. In such a case, an unexpected defect occurs in the electronic device due to the read data, or malfunction occurs, which is a problem.

  It is possible to configure the reading unit with non-universal terminals, but in such a case, it is necessary to manufacture a recording medium having a dedicated terminal, or a means by which a user can obtain a program, Since the opportunities are limited, convenience is impaired, which is not preferable.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device including a protection unit that prevents improper data from being input to cause a failure.

  In order to achieve the above object, an electronic device according to the present invention includes, in an electronic device including a reading unit that reads data from a recording medium, a protection unit that controls whether to supply operating power to the reading unit, The protection unit stops supply of operating power to the reading unit when data other than a predetermined type is read from the reading unit.

  The electronic device having the above configuration further includes a control unit that inputs the data of the recording medium read by the reading unit and controls the protection unit, and the control unit reads the data by the reading unit. When it is confirmed that the predetermined data is not included in the read data, the protection unit may be controlled to stop the supply of operating power to the reading unit.

  If comprised in this way, it can be determined whether it is appropriate data by whether a control part recognizes predetermined patterns, such as a flag. Therefore, it becomes possible to make a simple and quick determination.

  The electronic device having the above-described configuration further includes a DC voltage source that supplies a DC voltage having a positive voltage value, and the control unit protects a control signal that is a DC voltage that can take two types of positive voltage values. The protection unit is connected to the NPN first transistor whose control signal supplied from the control unit is applied to the base and whose emitter is grounded, and to the collector of the first transistor. And a resistor connected to the other end of the resistor, a base connected to one end of the resistor, an emitter connected to the other end of the resistor, and a collector connected to the readout. And a PNP-type second transistor connected to the unit.

  If comprised in this way, a protection part will be comprised with a small number of resistors and transistors. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the configuration of the protection unit.

  In the electronic device having the above configuration, the predetermined type of data may be a program for updating firmware of the electronic device.

  In the electronic device having the above-described configuration, the reading unit may be a USB terminal.

  If comprised in this way, it will become possible to comprise a reading part by a general purpose terminal. Therefore, it is possible to deal with a general-purpose recording medium, and it is possible to improve the convenience of the electronic device.

  According to the present invention, when data other than a predetermined type is read from the reading unit, it is possible to stop the supply of operating power to the reading unit. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of an unexpected failure or malfunction due to input of inappropriate data to an electronic device (particularly, a control unit).

These are block diagrams which show the basic structural example of the principal part of the electronic device concerning embodiment of this invention. These are the flowcharts shown about the operation example of a control part. These are block diagrams which show the specific structural example of the principal part of the electronic device concerning embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, a basic configuration example of a main part (portion related to the protection unit) of the electronic device will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a basic configuration example of a main part of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<Example of basic configuration>
As shown in FIG. 1, an electronic device (main part) includes a control unit C that controls an electronic device such as a television, a reading unit E that reads data from a connected recording medium (not shown), and a reading unit E. And a protection unit P that controls whether to allow the operation power input from the power supply S to be supplied to the reading unit E.

  The control unit C and the reading unit E are connected by a data line DL, and perform data communication via this. Further, the protection unit P performs an operation based on a control signal output from the control unit C.

  Next, operation examples of the control unit C and the protection unit P will be described. In the following description, it is assumed that the main power is supplied from the main power source (not shown) to the electronic device, and the main power itself is not supplied (that is, the control unit C does not operate, the power source S It is assumed that the operating power is not supplied from

  At normal time, the control unit C controls the protection unit P to supply operating power to the reading unit E. That is, the reading unit E enters a standby state. In this state, a recording medium such as a semiconductor memory is connected to the reading unit E, so that the recording medium can be read. For example, when power is supplied to the recording medium via the reading unit E, the recording medium becomes readable.

  The operation of the control unit C when a recording medium is connected to the reading unit E will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the control unit.

  As described above, when the recording medium becomes readable, the reading unit E and the control unit C connected to the recording medium start communication via the data line DL. Then, the data recorded on the recording medium is read by the reading unit E, and input to the control unit C through the data line DL (STEP 1). The control unit C determines whether or not the read data is appropriate (that is, a predetermined type) (STEP 2). In particular, it is determined whether or not the program is an update program.

  For example, the control unit C determines whether or not the data is appropriate data depending on whether or not the data read from the recording medium includes a predetermined pattern (flag). Note that it is preferable to provide this predetermined pattern in a portion that is confirmed immediately after being read, such as a header portion of data, because it is possible to determine before inappropriate data is excessively input to the control unit C.

  When the control unit C determines that the read data is appropriate data (STEP 2, YES), the control signal output to the protection unit P is assumed to be the same as (maintained) as usual. The operation power is continuously supplied to the reading unit E (STEP 3). Thereby, reading of data from the recording medium is continued. Then, the operation is terminated when the data reading is completed or the update is completed.

  On the other hand, when the control unit C determines that the read data is inappropriate (STEP 2, NO), the control signal output to the protection unit P is switched from the normal one to the reading unit E. The supply of operating power is stopped (STEP 4). As a result, the reading unit E cannot operate, and data read from the recording medium is not input to the control unit C. Then, the operation ends when the supply of the operating power is stopped.

  By configuring as described above, when a recording medium on which inappropriate data is recorded is connected to the reading unit E and data is read, it is possible to stop the operating power supplied to the reading unit E. Become. Therefore, by continuing to input inappropriate data to the control unit C, it is possible to prevent an unexpected failure in the electronic device or malfunction of the electronic device. In particular, since not only the reading operation is stopped but also the supply of the operating power to the reading unit E is stopped, it is possible to reliably suppress the occurrence of malfunctions and malfunctions of the electronic device.

  Note that after the control signal is switched in STEP 4, when the control unit C confirms that a predetermined time has passed or the recording medium is disconnected, the control signal may be switched to the normal signal again. With this configuration, it is possible to automatically return to the normal state and prepare for connection of a recording medium on which appropriate data is recorded.

<Specific configuration example>
Next, a specific configuration example of a main part of the electronic device will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a specific configuration example of a main part of the electronic device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to FIG. 1 illustrating the basic configuration example. In the following, a microcomputer (microcomputer) C1 as an example of the control unit C, a USB terminal E1 as an example of the reading unit E, a DC voltage source S1 as an example of the power source S, and a protection circuit P1 as an example of the protection unit P are given. Each will be explained.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the microcomputer C1 and the USB terminal E1 are connected by two data lines DL1 and DL2, and data communication is performed by each of them. The protection circuit P1 is supplied with a DC voltage having a positive voltage value from the DC voltage source S1. In addition to the data lines DL1 and DL2, the USB terminal E1 includes a line to which a DC voltage is supplied from the protection circuit P1 and a line to which a ground voltage is supplied.

  The control signal output from the microcomputer C1 to the protection circuit P1 is composed of a DC voltage that can take two positive voltage values. Of these control signals, the higher voltage value is H, and the lower voltage value is L. Note that the control signal supplied to the protection circuit P1 is H in the normal time of the above description. That is, if the control signal is H, operating power is supplied to the USB terminal E1. On the other hand, if the control signal is L, operating power is not supplied to the USB terminal E1.

  The protection circuit P1 includes a resistor R1 having one end connected to the microcomputer C1 to which a control signal is applied, an NPN transistor T1 having the other end connected to the base and an emitter grounded, A resistor R2 having one end connected to the collector of T1, a resistor R3 having one end connected to the other end of the resistor R2 and a DC voltage supplied from the DC voltage source S1 applied to the other end, and the other end of the resistor R2 And a PNP transistor T2 having a base connected to a connection node between the resistor R3 and one end of the resistor R3, an emitter connected to the other end of the resistor R3, and a collector connected to the USB terminal E1.

  Next, operation examples of the microcomputer C1 and the protection circuit P1 will be described. First, the case where the control signal output from the microcomputer C1 is H will be described.

  When the control signal H is input to the protection circuit P1 (that is, in the normal time or STEP3), the DC voltage dropped by the resistor R1 is applied to the base of the transistor T1. At this time, a sufficiently large DC voltage is applied to turn on the transistor T1, and the transistor T1 is turned on. As a result, one end of the resistor R2 is grounded.

  At this time, a DC voltage supplied from the DC voltage source S1 is applied to the emitter of the transistor T2, and a DC voltage obtained by dividing the DC voltage by the resistor R3 and the resistor R2 (a voltage dropped by the resistor R3) is applied to the base. ) Is applied. As a result, the voltage applied to the base is sufficiently lower than the voltage applied to the emitter, and the transistor T2 is turned on. Therefore, a DC voltage is supplied to the USB terminal E1.

  On the other hand, when the control signal L is input to the protection circuit P1 (that is, in the case of STEP4), a DC voltage large enough to turn on the transistor T1 is not applied to the base, and the transistor T1 is turned off. As a result, one end of the resistor R2 is not grounded and no current flows.

  Then, the voltage applied to the base of the transistor T2 is not sufficiently lower than the voltage applied to the emitter, and the transistor T2 is turned off. Therefore, no DC voltage is supplied to the USB terminal E1.

  With this configuration, the protection circuit P1 that performs the same operation as the protection unit P described above can be configured with a small number of resistors R1 to R3 and transistors T1 and T2. Therefore, the protection circuit P1 can be realized with a simple configuration.

  The resistance value of the resistor R1 may be 10 kΩ, the resistance value of the resistor R2 may be 220Ω, the resistance value of the resistor R3 may be 10 kΩ, and the voltage value of the DC voltage supplied from the DC voltage source S1 may be + 5V. These resistance values and voltage values are only examples and are only a guide, and other resistance values and voltage values can naturally be used. Further, in order to appropriately adjust the voltage value of the DC voltage in the circuit, an element such as a resistor may be added or removed (for example, the resistor R1 or the resistor R2).

  Further, although the USB terminal E1 has been described as an example of the reading unit E, the present invention is not limited to this example. In particular, any recording medium can be used as long as the recording medium can be read. For example, it may be a reader that reads data from an SD (Secure Digital) card or the like, or an optical disk drive that reads data from an optical disk or the like. However, the operation is performed with the operating power supplied, and the data reading operation is stopped when the protection unit P stops supplying the operating power. Further, as long as the reading unit E is operable, the operating power is not limited to DC but may be AC.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment in this invention was described, the range of this invention is not limited to this, It can add and implement various changes in the range which does not deviate from the main point of invention.

  The present invention can be used for an electronic device including a protection unit that prevents occurrence of a failure or malfunction. In particular, the present invention is preferably applied to an electronic device including a control unit that is simpler than a computer, such as a television.

C control unit C1 microcomputer E reading unit E1 USB terminal S power supply S1 DC voltage source DL, DL1, DL2 data line P protection unit P1 protection circuit R1-R3 resistance T1, T2 transistor

Claims (5)

In an electronic device having a reading unit for reading data from a recording medium,
A protection unit for controlling whether to supply operating power to the reading unit;
The electronic device, wherein when data other than a predetermined type is read from the reading unit, the protection unit stops supplying operating power to the reading unit. A control unit for controlling the protection unit while inputting data of the recording medium read by the reading unit;
When the control unit confirms that the data read by the reading unit does not include a predetermined pattern, the control unit controls the protection unit to stop the supply of operating power to the reading unit. The electronic device according to claim 1. A DC voltage source for supplying a DC voltage having a positive voltage value;
The control unit supplies a control signal that is a DC voltage capable of taking two kinds of positive voltage values to the protection unit,
The protective part is
An NPN-type first transistor in which a control signal supplied from the control unit is applied to a base and an emitter is grounded;
A resistor having one end connected to the collector of the first transistor and the other end applied with a DC voltage supplied from the DC voltage source;
3. A PNP-type second transistor having a base connected to one end of the resistor, an emitter connected to the other end of the resistor, and a collector connected to the reading unit. The electronic device described.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined type of data is a program for updating firmware of the electronic device.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit is a USB terminal.

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