JP2011253268A - Setting change method and setting change system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a setting change method and a setting change system capable of changing internal setting of an electronic apparatus, such as firmware update and setting change, without unpacked operation even on a way of distribution.SOLUTION: When it is necessary to change a setting change itself of a BD player 3, a reader/writer 2 performs non-contact communication with the BD player 3 having power supply turned off and transmits information to change the setting of the BD player 3. The BD player 3 receives setting change information, and the information is stored in an internal memory 313 of a non-contact IC 31. When power supply of the BD player 3 is turned on, memory content of the memory 313 is read out and the setting of the memory 33 or firmware is changed.

Description

  The present invention relates to a method and system for changing an internal setting of an electronic device.

  Some conventional electronic devices, such as audio devices, control the main body using firmware. In such an audio device, the contents of the firmware are sometimes changed in order to cope with a new recording medium or add a function, and accordingly, the firmware of the audio device is changed (for example, Patent Document 1). reference.).

  In addition, some conventional audio devices are shipped around the world, and it is necessary to change the settings of the audio devices, that is, the firmware settings according to the shipping destination.

  For example, it is necessary to change the language setting displayed on the display unit of the audio device according to the shipping country. In addition, when the audio device supports the content distribution service, the company or system that performs the service differs depending on the shipping country, so it is necessary to change the software for the content distribution service according to the shipping country. Further, when displaying a dealer (sales person) name on the startup screen of the audio device, it is necessary to change the GUI of the startup screen.

JP 2006-085338 A

  With conventional audio devices, if there is a change in the shipping destination (exporting country or distributor) or various problems occur, the firmware has been changed immediately before shipment, so that it can be dealt with immediately. However, there was a problem that during the distribution after the product was shipped, in order to perform the firmware update work, it must be unpacked and then re-packed, so it could not be handled immediately and the work was complicated. .

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a setting change method and a setting change system that can change an internal setting of an electronic device even during distribution without performing an unpacking operation.

  The present invention changes an internal setting of an electronic device in the middle of distribution, and the non-contact communication device transmits the setting change information to the electronic device that is not turned on without contact, and the electronic device is not connected to the non-contact communication device. The setting change information is received by the contact IC, and the received setting change information is stored in the non-contact IC. When the electronic device is turned on, it reads the stored setting change information and changes the internal setting.

  In order to communicate with a non-contact communication device in a non-contact manner when the electronic device is not turned on, for example, when RF-ID technology is used, electric power is supplied from the built-in battery or the non-contact communication device to the electronic device. The power that can be supplied is limited. For this reason, in electronic devices, the capacity of operable circuit components, the amount of information that can be received and stored, and the processing that can be performed are limited as compared to when power is turned on. However, in the present invention, the electronic device receives setting change information, which is information for changing the internal settings of the electronic device, in a state where the power is not turned on by the non-contact IC, and executes the setting change information as the setting change information after the power is turned on. This is stored in the non-contact IC as small capacity information such as a flag referred to by the firmware. Thereby, it is possible to easily change to the internal setting corresponding to the shipping destination without performing complicated operations such as unpacking and repacking in the middle of distribution, for example, in the distribution center, for the packaged electronic device. In addition, since the internal settings of the electronic device can be easily changed in this way, detailed management of the internal settings of the electronic device according to the shipping destination becomes unnecessary. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the change cost and management cost of the internal settings of the electronic device. Also, after the electronic device is turned on, the internal settings of the electronic device that could not be performed when the power was not turned on can be changed based on the information of a small capacity such as the flag.

  Moreover, in the setting change method of this invention, the electronic device is in a packaged state during distribution, and includes a housing including a conductor and a conductor non-forming portion. The non-contact IC is provided in the conductor non-formation part of the housing.

  In this method, the conductor non-forming portion of the housing can pass electromagnetic waves that the non-contact IC of the electronic device communicates with the non-contact communication device, and can make the non-contact IC inconspicuous in appearance, Even when the electronic device is in a packaged state, the electronic device and the non-contact communication device can communicate in a non-contact manner. In addition, a conductor non-formation part is a site | part in which the conductor is not formed.

  Moreover, in the setting change method of this invention, the electronic device is provided with the 1st memory | storage part and the 2nd memory | storage part. The first storage unit stores setting change information in the storage step. The second storage unit stores the internal settings of the main body. The changing step is a step of changing the stored contents of the second storage unit.

  In this method, as described above, the circuit components that can be operated, the capacity of information that can be received and stored, and the processing that can be executed are limited. Therefore, the setting change information stored in the first storage unit in the packed state is, for example, differential data For example, the first storage unit stores data with a capacity that is not meaningful by itself. Even in this case, meaningful data can be obtained by combining with the data stored in the second storage unit. For example, the CPU can rewrite the storage content of the second storage unit based on the difference data and change the internal setting.

  In the setting change method of the present invention, the setting change information is information for changing the firmware of the electronic device.

  In this configuration, the setting change information is data for updating the firmware, and the setting change can be realized by changing the firmware. For example, when there are few changes in the internal settings, the internal settings can be changed by changing only a part of the firmware corresponding to the changed part (for example, language setting firmware, GUI firmware, etc.) based on the setting change information. . If the internal settings are frequently changed, the internal settings can be changed by changing the basic firmware of the entire apparatus. In order to change the firmware, it may be rewritten with data of the entire new firmware, or the entire firmware may be changed with a small amount of data by using difference data from the current firmware.

  In the setting change method of the present invention, when the electronic device stores the setting change information, the setting change information stored in the non-contact communication device is transmitted in a non-contact manner, and the non-contact communication device transmits the setting transmitted to the electronic device. The change information and the setting change information received from the electronic device are verified. As a result of verification, if the setting change information transmitted to the electronic device matches the setting change information received from the electronic device, the unique information of the electronic device and the setting change information transmitted to the electronic device are managed. Send to server.

  In this method, it is confirmed whether the setting change information recorded in the electronic device is correctly recorded. As a result, it is possible to reliably confirm whether the setting change information of the electronic device has been correctly changed to the setting corresponding to the shipping destination, so that the electronic device can be shipped and sold without causing a firmware setting error. Further, after changing the setting change information of the electronic device, the management number information of the electronic device and the setting change information transmitted to the electronic device are managed by the management server. Thereby, since the information of the internal setting changed during the distribution of the electronic device can be managed, even when there is a necessity for the change depending on the shipping destination, it can be distinguished and dealt with.

  According to the present invention, the internal setting can be changed even when the electronic device is in a packed state.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a setting change system including an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a non-contact IC. FIG. 2A is a perspective external view of an electronic device. FIG. 2B is a perspective perspective view illustrating a state in which the electronic device is packaged. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process of a setting change system. FIG. 4A is an example of an information table before the internal setting information is changed. FIG. 4B is an example of an information table after the internal setting information is changed. FIG. 4C is another example of the information table after the internal setting information is changed. It is a figure which shows the communication path | route of a reader / writer and a management server. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the reading process of the setting change information at the time of starting of a BD player.

  Details of the setting change system will be described below. FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a setting change system including an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a non-contact IC. In the following description, a Blu-ray disc player (hereinafter referred to as a BD player), which is a type of audio device, will be described as an example of an electronic device.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the setting change system 1 includes a reader / writer (corresponding to a non-contact communication device) 2 and a BD player 3. In the figure, the packaged BD player 3 stored in the packaging box 5 is shown. The reader / writer 2 includes a communication unit 21, a CPU 22, a memory 23, a non-contact communication unit 24, and an operation unit 25. The BD player 3 includes a non-contact IC 31, a CPU 32, a memory (corresponding to a second storage unit) 33, a DSP 34, an interface (I / F) 35, a disc playback unit 36, a display unit 37, and a power supply unit 38. Each part of the BD player 3 is supplied with power from the power supply unit 38. Then, the disc playback unit 36 reads content data from the Blu-ray disc, and the DSP 34 outputs the decoded video signal and audio signal from the interface 35 to a monitor (not shown) connected via a cable (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the non-contact IC 31 includes an antenna 311, a non-contact communication unit 312, a memory (corresponding to a first storage unit) 313, and a control unit 314. The memory 313 stores the current internal setting information of the BD player 3, and the contents of the memory 313 are changed (rewritten) by non-contact communication with the reader / writer 2. The non-contact communication unit 24 of the reader / writer 2 performs non-contact communication with the non-contact IC 31 (non-contact communication unit 312) of the BD player 3 by using RF-ID technology as an example.

  The internal settings of the BD player 3 include, for example, setting of a language to be displayed on a monitor connected to the BD player 3, setting of software to be activated when receiving a content distribution service, and a dealer (seller) of the BD player 3 For example, the GUI setting of the corresponding startup screen is changed according to the shipping destination.

  After startup, the CPU 32 of the BD player 3 reads the firmware from the memory 33 and develops it in a RAM (not shown). Then, the CPU 32 reads setting information from the memory 313 of the non-contact IC 31. The language and GUI are set according to the setting information.

  In the BD player 3, the non-contact communication unit 312 receives information (hereinafter referred to as setting change information) for changing the internal setting of the BD player 3 through communication with the reader / writer 2, and the control unit 314 performs this setting. The change information is recorded (stored) in the memory 313. The CPU 32 reads this setting change information after turning on the power, and changes the language and GUI internal settings.

  When the reader / writer 2 needs to change the internal settings of the BD player 3, the reader / writer 2 communicates the setting change information stored in the memory 23 with the BD player 3 that has not been turned on to perform the BD player 3. Send to.

  When the BD player 3 receives the setting change information, the BD player 3 stores the setting change information in the memory 313 built in the non-contact IC 31, and when the power is turned on (when power is supplied from the power supply unit 38), the stored contents of the memory 313 are stored. And operate with the last updated settings.

  The setting change information may be information such as a flag for changing firmware settings, for example.

  Further, the setting change information may be information for changing firmware. For example, difference data from firmware stored in the memory 33 can be stored in the memory 313, and the firmware can be changed after the power is turned on. It is also possible to store the firmware data itself or a compressed version of the firmware in the memory 313 and replace the firmware after the power is turned on.

  As described above, the BD player 3 can perform contactless communication with the reader / writer 2 even when the power is not turned on, and can receive and store the setting change information. That is, the internal setting can be changed even when the BD player 3 is packed in a cardboard box or the like. As a result, it is possible to change the internal settings of the BD player 3 during the distribution, which was difficult in the past.

  FIG. 2A is a perspective external view of an electronic device. FIG. 2B is a perspective perspective view illustrating a state in which the electronic device is packaged. As shown in FIG. 2A, the BD player 3 includes a metal (conductor) casing 39. On the front surface 39F side of the casing 39, a tray opening / closing port 361 and a display section of the disc playback section 36 are provided. 37. An opening 391 is formed in the front surface 39F of the housing 39, and a transparent plate (for example, an acrylic plate) 371 such as plastic is fitted into the opening 391, and corresponds to a conductor non-forming portion of the present invention. . The display by LED, FL tube, etc. which were provided in the display part 37 can be seen through the transparent plate 371.

  Since the transparent plate 371 is a non-conductor, electromagnetic waves pass through the opening 391 of the housing 39 even if the transparent plate 371 is provided. Therefore, the BD player 3 is provided with the non-contact IC 31 at the end of the transparent plate 371 attached to the opening 391 as an example. As a result, the non-contact IC 31 is not disturbed by the housing from the non-contact communication with the reader / writer 2.

  As described above, when the non-contact IC 31 is provided on the front surface 39F side of the housing 39, when the BD player 3 is stored in the packing box (cardboard box) 5, the end of the transparent plate 371 in the packing box 5 is stored. A mark 51 may be provided at a position facing the portion (non-contact IC 31). As a result, when the distance of non-contact communication between the reader / writer 2 and the BD player 3 is short, the non-contact communication unit 24 of the BD player 3 can be brought closer to the non-contact IC 31 and communication can be performed reliably.

  The place where the non-contact IC 31 is provided is not limited to the opening 391 of the housing 39, and may be outside the housing 39. For example, when a terminal portion (not shown) is provided on the back surface 39B side of the BD player 3, a non-contact IC 31 may be provided together with the terminal portion and covered with a non-conductor such as a plastic cover. As a result, the non-contact IC 31 can be made inconspicuous, and non-contact communication with the reader / writer 2 can be performed on the back surface 3B side of the housing 39.

  The packaging box 5 is made of a material that allows radio waves to pass, such as corrugated paper or a plastic plate, and does not use a shielding material.

  Specifically, in the setting change system 1, the internal settings of the BD player 3 are changed during distribution as follows. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the setting change system. In the following description, as an example, a case will be described in which the setting of the BD player 3 is changed in a warehouse of a ship-to dealer (seller).

  When the communication distance of the read / dryer 2 is short, the operator brings the non-contact communication unit 24 of the read / dryer 2 close to, for example, the mark 51 provided on the packaging box 5 of the BD player 3. In addition, when the communication distance between the reader / writer 2 and the BD player 3 is long, it does not need to be approached. Then, the operator operates the operation unit 25 of the read / dryer 2.

  When detecting that the operation unit 25 has been operated (S1: Y), the CPU 22 of the reader / writer 2 starts communication with the BD player 3 (S2).

  At this time, information on the current internal settings of the BD player 3 is recorded in the memory 313 of the non-contact IC 31 in the BD player 3.

  The CPU 22 compares the current internal setting information read from the memory 313 of the BD player 3 with the setting change information stored in the memory 23, and confirms whether a setting change is necessary (S3). When the setting change is necessary (S4: Y), the CPU 22 reads the setting change information from the memory 23, outputs it from the non-contact communication unit 24, and changes the setting change to the memory 313 via the non-contact communication unit 312. Information is recorded (S5: equivalent to a storage step).

  There are a case where the setting is changed by a flag change and a case where the setting is changed by a firmware change.

  FIG. 4A is an example of an information table before the internal setting information is changed. FIG. 4B is an example of an information table after the internal setting information is changed. FIG. 4C is another example of the information table after the internal setting information is changed.

  For example, it is assumed that the current internal setting information recorded in the memory 313 of the BD player 3 has the contents shown in FIG. That is, the serial number (electronic device management number information) is 123456, the model name is BD-1, the destination (exporting country) is the United States (USA), the language is English, the GUI display on the startup screen is Y, the firmware version 1.02 and the application software that is activated when receiving the delivery of the network distribution service is service A. Further, it is assumed that the setting change information of the BD player 3 stored in the memory 23 of the reader / writer 2 has the contents shown in FIG. That is, the serial number is 123456, the model name is BD-1, the destination (exporting country) is the United States (USA), the language is English, the GUI display on the startup screen is Company B, the firmware version is 1.02, and the network distribution service Application software that is activated when receiving the service is referred to as service A.

  When the setting information shown in FIG. 4 (A) is changed to the internal setting shown in FIG. 4 (B), the firmware version is the same, only the GUI display setting is different, and it is necessary to change company Y to company B. There is. Therefore, the CPU 22 of the reader / writer 2 communicates with the BD player 3 to write setting change information, that is, a flag for reading out the company B in the memory 313 to the GUI display of the firmware so as to change the GUI display setting. Make it.

  In the memory 313, the flag indicating that the GUI display setting is set to B company is stored. Therefore, the BD player 3 reads the flag in the memory 313 and changes the internal setting when starting up, and displays the GUI of B company on the display unit 37 or the like. The information is displayed on a monitor (not shown) connected to the interface 35.

  Further, it is assumed that the setting change information of the BD player 3 stored in the memory 23 of the reader / writer 2 has the contents shown in FIG. That is, the serial number is 123456, the model name is BD-1, the destination (exporting country) is Europe (EU), the language is French, the GUI display on the startup screen is Company A, the firmware version is 1.04, and the net distribution service Suppose that the application software that starts when receiving the service is service B.

  When the internal setting information shown in FIG. 4A is changed to the internal setting information shown in FIG. 4C, the firmware version is different, the language, the GUI display setting, and the setting of the application software for the net distribution service. Need to be changed. Therefore, the CPU 22 of the reader / writer 2 reads the firmware itself (may be compressed data) or the difference data of the firmware from the memory 23, communicates with the BD player 3, and causes the CPU 32 to write to the memory 313.

  The firmware configuration stored in the memory 33 may be divided into internal settings such as language settings and GUI display on the startup screen, for example. ) For example, when only the setting of GUI display on the startup screen is changed as the internal setting of the BD player 3, if the firmware is subdivided (for example, when there is GUI firmware), the GUI for the startup screen is displayed. You should change the firmware. At this time, by storing the difference information and the compressed data of the firmware in the memory 23, the capacity of the data stored in the memory 313 can be suppressed.

  Since the data related to the new firmware is written in the memory 313, the BD player 3 reads the setting change information (firmware) in the memory 313 and changes the internal setting (in this case, the firmware itself) at the time of activation. That is, the destination is set to EU, and the GUI of Company A is displayed on a monitor (not shown) connected to the display unit 37 and the interface 35. Also, the setting is displayed in French, and the application software that is activated when receiving the distribution service is set in the service B.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the writing (recording) of the setting change information is completed, the CPU 22 reads the setting change information from the memory 313 and performs verification (S6).

  If the setting change information in the memory 23 matches the setting change information recorded in the memory 313 as a result of the verification (S7: Y), the CPU 22 determines that the management server 8 (the server that manages the manufacturer's firmware settings) 8 The serial number (unique information) of the BD player 3 and the changed setting information are transmitted (S8). Then, the process ends.

  Since serial number information can be acquired by including serial number information in the current setting information recorded in the memory 313 of the BD player 3, as described later, the serial number is sent to the management server. The setting change information can be transmitted together with the information.

  If the setting change information in the memory 23 and the setting change information recorded in the memory 313 do not match as a result of the verification (S7: N), the CPU 22 again performs the process of step S5 (that is, re-setting of the setting change information). Write).

  If it is not necessary to change the internal setting in step S4 (S4: N), the CPU 22 sends the serial number of the BD player 3 and the current internal setting information to the management server (for example, the server of the BD player manufacturer) 8. Transmit (S8), and the process ends.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating communication paths between the reader / writer and the management server. As shown in FIG. 5, the reader / writer 2 is connected to a PC (personal computer) 6. The PC 6 and the management server 8 are connected via the Internet 7.

  Therefore, the reader / writer 2 can acquire information (setting change information) to be recorded in the BD player 3 from the management server 8 via the Internet. As a result, when the internal setting of the BD player 3 needs to be changed, the setting change information can be quickly distributed from the management server 8 to the reader / writer 2 via the Internet 7. Can be changed. Further, since it is not necessary to read the recording medium on which the setting change information is recorded, the setting change information can be easily stored in the reader / writer 2.

  In addition, the reader / writer 2 can notify the management server 8 via the PC 6 and the Internet that the recording of the internal setting information in the BD player 3 has been completed. Thereby, the management server 8 can manage the current setting information (information after changing the internal setting) recorded in the BD player 3 together with the serial number (management number) of the BD player, and which device is It is possible to manage in which state the product was shipped. For example, when a user desires another Internet distribution service that has not been set up after the installation of a store at a certain destination, setting change information indicating that the desired network distribution service is supported is sent to the reader / writer at the store. By changing the internal settings of the BD player 3, it is possible to easily cope with the change.

  Next, in the above description, the case where the internal setting of the BD player 3 is changed and the change is completed on the spot at the time of distribution has been described. However, as described below, a part of the processing is executed later. You may comprise.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the processing for reading the setting change information when the BD player is activated. When the power is turned on, the BD player 3 reads the setting change information from the memory 313 and changes the setting information in the memory 33.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, when the power is turned on, the CPU 32 of the BD player 3 transmits a transmission command of information (setting change information) for rewriting setting information from the memory 313 of the non-contact IC 31. Then, the setting change information transmitted by the non-contact IC 31 is read (S12). Then, the CPU 22 changes the setting information in the memory 33 based on the setting change information (S13: corresponding to a change step).

  Making the BD player 3 execute such processing is particularly effective when rewriting the firmware. That is, in order to communicate with the reader / writer 2 in a non-contact manner when the BD player 3 is not turned on, for example, when RF-ID technology is used, the BD player 3 is contactless from the built-in battery or the reader / writer 2. The power that can be supplied is limited. Therefore, in the BD player 3, compared to when the power is turned on, the capacity of operable circuit components, the amount of information that can be received and stored, and the processing that can be executed are limited, and large-capacity firmware cannot be changed. However, by performing the processing as described above, when the power is not turned on, as the setting change information, for example, information with a small capacity such as compressed data or difference data of firmware, and a script for starting a program for changing firmware Are stored in the memory 313. After powering on the BD player 3, the CPU 32 reads the compressed data and difference data of the firmware according to the script stored in the memory 313 and updates the firmware stored in the memory 33. In this manner, meaningful data (for example, firmware to be changed) can be obtained by combining the data in the memory 313 with the contents of the memory 33 with a small capacity.

  As described above, in the present invention, the internal setting information can be changed even when the electronic device is in a packaged state.

  In the above description, a BD player has been described as an example of an electronic device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a device that uses firmware to control a device and cause a change in firmware is used. Any other device may be used. For example, the present invention can be applied to devices such as AV amplifiers, hard disk recorders, routers, modems, copiers, and printers.

  If the communication distance can be increased, the internal setting can be changed by broadcast communication from one reader / writer 2 to a plurality of BD players 3.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Setting change system 2 ... Lead dryer 3 ... BD player 5 ... Packing box 6 ... PC 7 ... Internet 8 ... Management server 21 ... Communication part 22, 32 ... CPU 23, 33, 313 ... Memory 24, 312 ... Non-contact communication Unit 25 ... Operation unit 31 ... Non-contact IC 34 ... DSP 35 ... Interface 36 ... Disc playback unit 37 ... Display unit 38 ... Power source 39 ... Housing 311 ... Antenna 314 ... Control unit 371 ... Transparent plate 391 ... Opening

Claims (6)

A method for changing the internal settings of an electronic device during distribution,
The non-contact communication device transmits the setting change information to an electronic device that is not powered on in a non-contact manner;
The electronic device receives the setting change information from the non-contact communication device by a non-contact IC; and
A storage step in which the electronic device stores the received setting change information in the contactless IC;
When the electronic device is turned on, the setting change information stored in the storing step is read, and the changing step for changing the internal setting;
How to change settings with The electronic device includes a housing including a conductor and a conductor non-forming portion,
It is in a packed state during the distribution,
The setting change method according to claim 1, wherein the non-contact IC is provided in a conductor non-forming portion of the casing. The electronic device includes a first storage unit that stores setting change information in the storage step, and a second storage unit that stores internal settings of the main body.
The setting changing method according to claim 1, wherein the changing step is a step of rewriting a storage content of the second storage unit.   The setting change method according to claim 1, wherein the setting change information is information for changing firmware of the electronic device. Following the storing step,
The electronic device transmits the stored setting change information to the contactless communication device in a contactless manner;
Verifying the setting change information transmitted from the non-contact communication apparatus to the electronic device and the setting change information received from the electronic device;
As a result of the verification, when the two setting change information matches, the non-contact communication device acquires unique information of the electronic device; and
The non-contact communication device transmits information unique to the electronic device and setting change information transmitted to the electronic device to a management server;
The setting change method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: A non-contact communication device and an electronic device, a setting change system for changing the internal setting of the electronic device in the middle of distribution,
The non-contact communication apparatus includes a transmission unit that transmits setting change information to an electronic device that is not turned on without contact,
The electronic device includes a receiving unit that receives the setting change information from the contactless communication device, and a storage unit that stores the setting change information received by the receiving unit;
When the power is turned on, the setting change information stored in the storage means is read, and changing means for changing the internal settings;
Configuration change system with