JPH10320183A - Method for introducing program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an introducing method for a program expressed as a video signal. SOLUTION: An adaptor 1 has a program restoring mode, and in the case of the program restoring mode, a program like pattern data stored in a video tape as a video signal is converted into a digital signal by a signal processing part 11 and stored in a memory, the pattern data are inversely converted by a digital data processing part 12 to restore a program code, the restored program is transmitted to an external electronic equipment 5 to add, update or delete a program to/from an FROM built in the equipment 5.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device having no input device for program introduction or program update (hereinafter referred to as a program input device), such as a floppy disk device, particularly a flash memory or an EEPROM.
The present invention relates to a method of installing (installing) a program in the above-mentioned memory or updating a program already installed, which is useful in a device having a rewritable memory such as a nonvolatile memory or a battery-backed RAM.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In addition to data processing, computers control and
Devices that perform specific processing in all aspects of the industrial field such as communication, for example, are used by being incorporated in image processing devices and communication control devices, etc. Programs are usually ROM
And stored in digital form on a recording medium such as a floppy disk, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.
It is taken into a memory constituted by an AM or the like and gives a procedure to the operation of the CPU to execute a required function. The program is loaded into the memory from an input device such as a floppy disk reader, a magnetic disk device, or an optical disk device connected as an input device of the computer.

Further, specific functions, for example, an IPL (Initial Program Loader) for loading a program into a memory first, a program for rewriting an EEPROM, a part of an OS (Operating System), and a program having an interface are provided. Some are incorporated in computers as firmware by a microprogram method or the like.

[0004] The above-mentioned computer or computer-embedded device is connected to a floppy disk reader, a magnetic disk device, an optical disk device, etc. as a program input device. Alternatively, when a program for adding a new function is installed, a necessary program is temporarily loaded into a memory from a storage medium such as a ROM, an FD, a magnetic disk, an optical disk which stores a program provided by a manufacturer (or a software house), and parameter setting is performed. After rewriting the I / O points on the program taken in conformity with the configuration of the computer or the device by using the program storage medium (ROM, floppy disk,
Magnetic disk, optical disk, etc.).

On the other hand, electric rice cookers, warmer / coolers, refrigerators,
Most of electronic devices, such as karaoke devices, navigation devices, mobile phones, and certain types of adapters, are CPU and RAM.
Operation control (so-called electronic control) is performed using an MPU (microprocessor) composed of a ROM and a ROM.

In such electronic equipment, the MPU is usually formed as an LSI chip, and the program is written on the maker side by an external program writing device (for example, a ROM writing device), and the device is operated by switching on. And the program input device is not connected.

[0007] In such electronic devices, program upgrades are often sold as a new series to which new functions are added, or the ROM itself is replaced, except for specific cases. There is no need to know how to install programs or upgrade versions of such electronic devices.

[0008]

However, even if the apparatus does not have a program input device for introducing or updating a program, such as the above-described electronic apparatus, the above-described program is not suitable for a user. It is convenient if an electronic device can be used by taking in only a desired function among additional functions provided by a maker without using an input device, or by using a program provided by a software house or the like other than the maker.

For example, an analogized program recorded on a videotape is purchased and, at a desired time, restored as a digitized program using a VTR and a simple-structured adapter that have become very popular in ordinary households, and is restored to an electronic device. Record a desired program in the memory, update a part of the existing program recorded in the electronic device,
It is extremely convenient if unnecessary existing programs can be deleted, the entire existing program can be deleted and replaced with a new program, or a new program can be added.

[0010] Furthermore, by distributing an analogized program through a television broadcast and recording it on a video tape using a VTR, the program recorded on the video tape can be easily purchased at a desired time without purchasing the program. If it can be restored as a digitized program using the adapter of the configuration and used to introduce the program of the electronic device, it is convenient for the program maintenance of the electronic device that has been nationwide, such as the repair of the program error of the electronic device, etc. It is desirable for the user to be able to collect only desired programs.

[0011] However, the digitalized program is directly D / A converted to analog data, recorded on a video recording medium such as a video tape, and the recorded analog data is A / D converted to restore digital data. Then, the method of obtaining the original program has a problem that data is remarkably deteriorated due to repeated conversion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and a method of installing (installing) a program in an electronic device having no program input device, or updating an already installed program. About the method.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a method for introducing a program according to the present invention is a method for converting an analog signal from a recording medium on which a program and an introduction condition information which have been converted into analog data beforehand are recorded. A first step of loading a signal into a memory, a second step of obtaining pattern data from the signal loaded into a memory, and restoring a program and introduction condition information as digital data from the pattern data; Recording the restored program on a rewritable recording medium based on the third step.

In an embodiment of the present invention, in the method for introducing a program, the third step is to record the restored program on a rewritable recording medium or to record the restored program on the recording medium based on the introduction condition information. It is configured to update, delete, or additionally record a restored program.

[0015] In the method of introducing each program described above,
As a recording medium on which the program converted into an analog signal and the introduction condition information are recorded, the program converted into a video signal and the introduction condition information transmitted as broadcast waves are received by a receiver, and the received program and the introduction condition information are received. A recording medium recorded by a video signal recording device connected to the device can be used.

Further, in the embodiment, in the above-described method of introducing each program, it is desirable that the pattern data is a striped pattern or a graphic pattern expressing a bit string corresponding to the program code.

[0017]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a program introduction device (hereinafter, referred to as an adapter) for realizing a program introduction method according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, an adapter 1 is a video signal processing unit 1
1, digital data processing unit 12, video signal decoding unit 13,
It comprises an operation unit 15, an interface 21, and a power supply unit 16. Note that the video signal decoding unit 13 is optional.

Also, as shown in FIG.
A video tape recorder (VTR) 2, a television receiver 4 connected to the VTR 2, and an external electronic device 5 can be connected via corresponding interfaces. Also,
Symbol 3 indicates a video tape as a recording medium.

The external electronic device 5 has a digital data input terminal.
An electronic device having an MPU including U, RAM and a rewritable nonvolatile memory suitable for storing a program such as an EEPROM or a FROM (flash ROM);
For example, a digital camera or the like corresponds. In this case, it is desirable that the nonvolatile memory of the external electronic device 5 includes a control program (or a management program) including a program editing program.

Further, the adapter 1 may be configured to be incorporated in the external electronic device 5.
It is desirable that the MPU of the present embodiment also be configured to double as the digital data processing unit 12 of the adapter 1.

<Mode> The adapter 1 is a video tape 3
The pattern data (analog data) recorded in the
Read through R2, convert to digital and store in memory 12
2 has a program restoring mode for restoring the original program and can be selected by a mode selection screen or a selection switch.

<Video Signal Processing and Readout of Recorded Data> The video signal processing section 11 receives a video signal from the VTR 2 and passes a front end to a U signal (RY) and a V signal (BY) for a chroma signal. ), The composite synchronizing signal is separated from the luminance signal Y, and these Y, U, V signals are A / D converted to digital signals.

In the program restoring mode, the video tape 3
Is input from the VTR 2 to the adapter 1 as a video signal.

That is, when the VTR 2 is connected to the adapter 1 and the user houses a video tape storing analog image data in the VTR 2 and presses the play button, the analog data is input to the adapter 1 as a video signal. Are processed by the video signal processing unit 110 as described above to become digital image signals.

<Digital Data Processing, Program Restoration> As shown in FIG.
It is composed of a memory 122 composed of PU and connected to the data bus of the CPU 121, and a FROM 123.

The digital data processing section 12 takes in the pattern data (program and introduction condition information) digitized by the video signal processing section 11 into the memory 122, and reads the program and introduction condition information from the taken pattern data. , Transmission of the introduction condition information and the program to the external electronic device 5 via the interface 21 to the program storage memory of the external electronic device, and the video signal decoding unit of the pattern data and menu data stored in the memory 122 13 and so on.

That is, in the program restoring mode, the video signal (analogized) pattern data recorded on the video tape 3 is taken into the adapter 1 via the VTR 2, and the video signal After being converted into a signal and stored in the memory 122, digital data (program and introduction condition information) is restored from the digitized pattern data, and the introduction condition is transmitted to the external electronic device 5 based on an instruction signal from the operation unit 15. Send information and programs.

The introduction condition information and the program recorded on the video tape 3 are not converted into pattern data, but are simply converted into an analog signal (for example, into a video signal). The processing unit 12 may be configured to restore the introduction condition information and the program.

However, in this case, since the D / A conversion and the A / D conversion are simply repeated as it is, the quality of the reproduced image is deteriorated.
The program stored in the recording medium such as the video tape 3 converts digital data into pattern data before recording so that the pattern data is converted into an analog signal so that the quality of the reproduced image does not deteriorate even if the / D conversion is repeated. And then recorded on the video tape 3 as a video signal,
Is configured to take in such pattern data, perform A / D conversion by the video signal processing unit 110, and then restore the pattern data to digital data.

The memory 122 is a DMA of the CPU 121.
(Direct memory access), and fetches data from the video tape 2 via the VTR 2 and temporarily stores pattern data read from the VTR 2. Further, the memory 122 stores menu data, operation input signals from the operation unit 15 and setting data, and also serves as a work area for converting digital data into pattern data or restoring digital image data from pattern data. Used.

<Video Signal Decoding Unit> Video Signal Decoding Unit 13
Converts the pattern data (Y, U, V (digital signal)) from the digital data processing unit 12 into a luminance signal Y and color difference signals U, V (analog signal), and a luminance signal Y and a composite synchronizing signal And the U and V signals are combined to obtain a chroma signal, and a video signal is output for display on the screen of the television receiver 4.

The operation unit 15 receives an operation signal from an operation panel (not shown), converts the operation signal into an instruction signal (digital signal), and supplies the instruction signal (digital signal) to the digital data processing unit 12.

<Data Processing Module> FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a data processing module for executing processing by the digital data processing unit 12. Each program constituting the data processing module 200 is composed of FRO.
It is stored in a storage medium such as M123. In the present embodiment, the data processing module 200 is configured by a group of programs, but may be configured by hardware.

In FIG. 3, the data processing module 200 comprises a control program 201, a mode determination program 202, a program introduction program 40, a program transmission program 50, and a group of other programs 203.

The control program 201 receives an instruction signal from the operation unit 15 and sends a control signal to the input / output control unit 140 and the memory 122 so that the adapter 1 performs an operation corresponding to the instruction signal. The CPU 121 can execute the necessary programs and execute and control them.

The mode determination program 202 is the adapter 1
It determines which mode has been selected on the selection screen displayed on the screen of the television receiver 4 at the time of startup, and transfers control to the execution module of the corresponding process.

The program introduction program 40 includes a VTR
The program and the introduction condition information are restored from the digitized video signal data taken into the memory 142 from the video tape 3 set in 2.

The program transmission program 50 is operated by the operation unit 1.
5, a program introduction preparation request signal is sent to the external electronic device 5 based on the instruction signal from the external electronic device 5, and a reception preparation completion signal from the external electronic device 5 is obtained. Send to memory. In addition,
The program transmission program 50 is optional, and is not required in the case where the adapter 1 is incorporated in an electronic device.

The other programs 203 are used for setting / changing conditions such as set values of the external electronic device 5.
Includes change programs.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the program introduction program 40. The program introduction program 40 includes a start timing determination program 41, a type determination program 42, and a program restoration program 43.

The start timing determination program 41 reads a predetermined number of 16-bit patterns from the pattern data sent to the memory 122, checks the bit values thereof, and determines whether or not the pattern is a read start timing pattern.

The start timing determination program 41
As another embodiment, as described in the section of determination of read start timing of pattern data, a configuration may be adopted in which a read start signal is obtained and the read start timing is determined.

The type determination program 42 reads a predetermined number of 16-bit patterns next to the read start timing pattern, checks the bit values thereof, determines whether or not it is a program start pattern. Control is passed to the restoration program, and if not, the next pattern data is read.

The program restoring program 43 converts the program start pattern and the pattern data following the program start pattern into a digital signal, and restores the program in text units.

Here, the program start pattern is a condition for introducing the program, that is, the patterned data is a newly introduced program, a program for updating an existing program, information for deleting an existing program, and a new program for an existing program. Is a pattern indicating information or the like to be added, and becomes a code (introduction condition information (digital data)) indicating the introduction condition when restored.

<Pattern> FIG. 5 is an example of a pattern.
(A) is an example of a pattern pattern, in which a 16-bit program code is represented by a 6-digit bar code, (b)
Is an example of a graphic pattern, in which a 16-bit program code is represented by four graphic patterns, and (c)
Is an explanatory diagram of bit association.

In FIG. 5A, the program code is 16
Taking a case where bits are represented as an example, the program code takes any one of 16-bit values (0 to 65535), so that the bit values (0 to 65535) are represented using a 5-digit bar code. Then, the program code can be made to correspond.

In this example, a bar code is used. However, the present invention is not limited to a bar code, and any pattern may be used as long as it can express a program code according to a certain association rule. Further, when the pattern data is converted into a pattern such as a barcode, there is an advantage that the program code can be expressed by a relatively short number of digits. By associating pixel values in the same manner, one pixel can be represented by a striped pattern.

In the example shown in FIG. 5B, when the program code length is 16 bits, 16 = 4 + 4 + 4 + 4, and the program code is represented by four 4-bit patterns. The number of patterns in this case is It becomes 16.

In this case, the figure 50 is divided into four, and the four sections 51 to 54 are displayed in either black or white.
By associating with black = 1, a 4-bit value (binary code 0000 to 1111) can be represented by a combination of 16 arrangements of white and black. For example, the case where all of the sections 51 to 54 are white is “0000”, and as shown in FIG.
When "1" is black, "0001" is set, and "001" is set in the positive direction.
When associating “0” to “1111”, the program code is a 16-bit digital code “00” in FIG.
01100111010011 '.

The program code may be represented by two patterns corresponding to two 8-bit data, each having 2 bytes (1 byte = 8 bits). In this case, the number of patterns is 256. Further, although 16 bits may be represented by one pattern, when a pattern table is used, the number of patterns is 256 × 256. Patterns (16) are used.

In the above description, the program code is 1
Although described as 6 bits, the case of 32 bits can also be represented by eight 4-bit corresponding graphic patterns or 10-digit bar codes. Further, the processing can be simplified by treating the above-described introduction condition information as a kind of program code.

By associating pixel values in the same manner, one pixel can be represented by several graphic patterns.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a format in a case where a plurality of programs are recorded on the video tape 3. At the leading end of the video tape 3, there is a play portion 31 having no recorded content, followed by a reading start pattern 32. Are recorded, and then the program start pattern 33 and the program pattern data 34 of the one-unit program are recorded as a pair as a video signal. Similarly, after the program pattern data 34, a pair of a program start pattern and program pattern data of a one-unit program is recorded as a video signal.

Here, a one-unit program refers to a module unit if it is a program having a module structure, and if a small program is one module and one program, one unit program is used.
Means a program. The program start pattern also serves as the program introduction condition pattern as described above.

Although FIG. 6 shows an example in which only the program is recorded on the video tape 3 for explanation, even if the program and the image data are recorded simultaneously, the program is taken out by the program start pattern written before the program. be able to. In this case, it is desirable that the image start pattern is written before the image data (pattern data).

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram visually showing the pattern data on the video tape, and corresponds to a case where the pattern data on the video tape is displayed on the screen of the television receiver 4.

FIG. 7A shows an example in which pattern data is represented by four square figures 71-1 to 71-4. Each square figure is further divided into four, and each divided section is white or black. Takes one of the following values.

Since the video tape has 525 tracks in the standard specification, one section is represented by 10 pixels, and when the space between square figures is 5 pixels, 2 sections are excluded except for the audio track.
Zero square figures can be arranged in four columns in the vertical direction.

Now, in the read start pattern 32 of FIG. 6, four square figures in the horizontal direction are specific patterns (for example, all sections corresponding to the black hexadecimal code FF are all black patterns) and are all the same in the vertical direction. The pattern time can be given as a read start pattern.
Similarly, the program start pattern 33 is divided into four square figures in the horizontal direction by a specific pattern (for example, hexadecimal value F
In E), the case where all patterns are the same in the vertical direction can be referred to as a program pattern.

FIG. 7B shows that the pattern data is a 5-digit 1
This is an example in which the bar codes 58 are used. Since one barcode videotape has 525 tracks in the standard, the vertical direction of one barcode is represented by 20 pixels, and the interval between barcodes is 5 pixels, excluding the audio track. 20 bar codes can be arranged in one column in the vertical direction.

Now, the image data start pattern 36 shown in FIG. 6 is replaced by a single bar code having a specific numerical value (for example, 99999).
, The case where all patterns are the same in the vertical direction can be referred to as an image data start pattern.

In the embodiment, a bar code pattern having a small number of pixels is used to represent a pattern representation of image data having a large data amount. For a program having a small data amount, noise or an error due to the characteristics of the device first occurs. There is no figure pattern as the expression pattern of the program code.

<Restoration of Program Code> The program (pattern data) stored on the video tape is converted into a video signal and stored.

At a desired time, the user sets the video tape 3 storing the program in the VTR 2, sets the mode of the adapter 1 to the program restoring mode, and fetches the pattern data into the adapter 1. The pattern data is converted into a digital signal by the video signal processing unit 11, and is stored in the memory 12 of the digital data processing unit 12.
2

The digital data processing section 12 reversely converts the pattern data by the program restoring program 43 to restore the original program code (digital data) and the introduction condition information.

In the conversion of the pattern data into the program code, the distribution of black pixels in the pattern data is checked, and the pattern is determined from the distribution and arrangement of the number of black pixels. In order to enhance the restoration accuracy, the distribution of black pixels in the pattern data is examined, a candidate pattern is obtained from the distribution and arrangement of the number of the pixels, and the pattern is determined by determining the similarity with the registered pattern. It can also be configured.

In the case of the graphic pattern as shown in FIG. 5B, a plurality of black pixels (for example, 10
A black value can be expressed by a combination of the number and the position of the black pixels.
Even if the D conversion and the D / A conversion are repeated, the number and position of the black patterns hardly change due to noise or the like. Therefore, the distribution of the black patterns in the patterned figure is examined, and the candidate pattern is determined from the number distribution and arrangement. It is easy to determine the pattern by comparing it with the registered pattern and obtain the corresponding digital image data, so that the write / read error and the degree of deterioration of the video tape caused by the mechanical characteristics of each VTR product There is an advantage that it is possible to obtain high-precision restored data that is not affected by

<Determination of Pattern Data Read Start Timing> In the VTR 2, not only the video tape 3 storing the pattern data but also a video tape recording an ordinary video image or an image collected from a TV broadcast can be set. Therefore, when setting a video tape storing a program (pattern data) in the VTR 2 in the program restoration mode and reading the pattern data, it is necessary to know from which position on the video tape the pattern data is recorded. .

Then, in the program restoration mode, the pattern data is sent to the video signal
When the user who has displayed the still image and saw the reading start pattern presses the start button, thereby generating a pattern data reading start signal and sending it to the digital signal processing section 12, the user can know the timing to start reading the pattern data. it can.

Further, a read start timing pattern recognizing circuit (not shown) for recognizing a read start timing pattern is provided at a stage preceding the video signal processing section 11 to automatically detect the read start timing and start reading the pattern data. The signal may be sent to the digital signal processing unit 12.

Further, as another embodiment, a tone signal is written to an audio track of a video tape when pattern data for one image is written, and a tone signal determination circuit (not shown) is provided at a stage preceding the video signal processing unit 110. It is also possible to automatically detect the read start timing and send a pattern data read start signal to the digital signal processing unit 12.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an editing program 60 included in the control program of the external electronic device 5 that receives the program. The editing program 60 includes an introduction condition determination program 61, an addition program 62, and an update program 63. , A deletion program 64.

The introduction condition determination program 61 checks the introduction condition information (code) to determine whether the program is a new program, an upgrade program, or information (program name or the like) data for deleting a specific program. According to the result, control is passed to any of the addition program 62, the update program 63, and the deletion program 64.

In the case of a new program, the additional program 61 writes the program into the program storage medium of the external electronic device 5, and in the case of an upgrade program, the update program 62 deletes the old program written in the program storage medium. The program is deleted and updated with the new program. In the case of the deletion information, the deletion program 63 deletes the program written in the program storage medium.

[0077]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A video tape 3 in which a program is stored in the form of pattern data is prepared in advance by a maker or the like, and can be distributed to a user or sold at a store. The signal can be converted into a broadcast wave and transmitted to a television, and the pattern data reproduced by the television receiver 4 can be recorded on the video tape 3 via the VTR 2 connected to the television receiver 4 on the user side.

The user uses the program recorded on the video tape 3 in this manner to introduce a new program into a corresponding electronic device, an upgrade for version upgrade, a program maintenance, etc. in the configuration of FIG. This can be done using an adapter.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the adapter 1 and the external electronic device of FIG. 1 when the program is introduced. Steps S1 to S7 and S9 correspond to the operation of the adapter 1, and steps S8 and S10 to S1
3 corresponds to the operation on the external electronic device 5 side.

When the power is turned on, the control program 201
Displays a guide menu, a selection menu, or a setting menu on the screen of the television receiver 4, and the user can select a mode or set conditions by operating each switch on the operation panel.

<Determination of Mode> In step S 1, when the user selects or specifies a processing mode by selecting a menu or operating a mode switch, the CPU 121 determines the mode selected or specified by the mode determination program 202. In the case of the restoration mode, the process proceeds to step S3, and in the case of the other mode, execution of another mode is performed in step S2.

<Program restoration mode> Step S3
Then, the user inserts the video tape on which the program is recorded
When the start switch is operated after setting to TR2, the signal processing unit 11 takes in the video signal from the VTR 2 and
Since D conversion is performed, the analogized pattern data recorded on the video tape is converted into a digital signal. The signal processing unit 11 transfers the converted digital signal (pattern data) to the memory 122 of the data processing unit 12.

In step S4, the CPU 121 checks whether or not there is a start timing determination flag by the start timing determination program 41. If the start timing determination flag is on, the process proceeds to step S5. The digital signal is checked, and if it is a start pattern, the start timing determination flag is turned on and the process proceeds to step S5. If not, the step S4 is repeated until the start pattern appears.

In step S5, the CPU 121 checks the pattern data by the type determination program 42, and if a program start pattern is obtained, the CPU 121 transmits the subsequent pattern data until the next program start pattern or image start pattern is obtained. The process proceeds to step S6 as pattern data corresponding to a pattern and a pair of programs, and an image start pattern is obtained, or if there is no program start pattern following the start pattern, step S3
Return to

In step S6, the program restoring program 43 converts the program start pattern and a program corresponding to it into a pattern data into digital data, and converts the program start pattern into introduction condition information (code). The program is restored collectively for each text and the process proceeds to step S7. If the restoration result of the program start pattern corresponds to the deletion of the introduction condition information (introduction condition information = deletion code), the process proceeds to step S5, using the restoration result as the introduction condition information.

<Introduction of Program to External Electronic Equipment> In step S7, the program transmission program 50
A program introduction preparation request signal is sent to the external electronic device 5.

<Operation 1 on External Electronic Device> Step S8
When a program introduction preparation request signal is received from the adapter 1, it is checked whether the switch on the operation panel has been switched to the program introduction mode. If the switch has been switched to the program introduction mode, a program introduction preparation completion signal is sent to the adapter 1. If it has not been switched, a switching request display is performed to urge the user to switch to the program introduction mode.

When the mode has not been switched to the program introduction mode, a program introduction preparation incomplete signal is sent to the adapter 1 and the adapter 1 displays the signal on the screen of the television receiver.
A message requesting the user to switch the mode of the electronic device to the program introduction mode may be displayed or a warning sound may be emitted.

<Transmission of Program> In step S 9, the adapter 1 waits until receiving a program introduction preparation completion signal from the external electronic device 5, and upon receiving the program introduction preparation completion signal, sets the installation condition information and the introduction condition. Is transmitted (introduced) to the external electronic device 5.

<Operation 2 on External Electronic Device> Step S1
0, the editing program 60 receives the introduction condition information and the program from the adapter 1, checks the introduction condition information, and determines whether the program is a new program, an upgrade program, or information for deleting a specific program (program name, etc.). ) It is determined whether the data is data. If the program is a new program, the process proceeds to step S11. If the program is an upgrade program, the process proceeds to step S12.

In step S11, the new program is written to a program storage medium (for example, FROM) by the additional program 41.

In step S12, the old program written in the program storage medium is deleted by the update program 42 as a version upgrade program and updated with the new program.

In step S13, the deletion program 43
Deletes the corresponding program written in the program storage medium.

When the adapter 1 is incorporated in the electronic device 5 as described above, steps S7 to S9 are omitted.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made.

[0096]

As described above, according to the method of introducing a program of the present invention, a program input device can be implemented by using a simple program introduction device to convert a program converted into a video signal stored on a recording medium such as a video tape. It can be introduced to an electronic device that does not have it, or an existing program can be updated or deleted.

In storing the data in the video recording medium, the data is converted into program pattern data and then converted into analog data and stored as a video signal.
Even if an error occurs due to individuality of the medium or deterioration of the medium, a program without errors can be restored.

As a method of storing the program in the video recording medium, the program pattern data can be transmitted using broadcast waves, received by a television receiver, and collected on a video tape. Using a tape, new functions can be added to an electronic device, version upgrades, program maintenance, and the like can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a program introduction device for realizing a program introduction method.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a basic configuration example of a digital data processing unit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a data processing module.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a program introduction program.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a pattern.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a recording format of a program or the like recorded on a video tape.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram visually showing pattern data on a video tape.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an editing program included in a control program on the external electronic device side.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a basic operation example of the adapter main body.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 adapter (program introduction device) 2 VTR 3 video tape (recording medium) 4 television receiver (receiver) 11 video signal processing unit 12 digital data processing unit 13 video signal decoding unit 15 operation unit 33 program start pattern (installation condition information ) 40 program introduction program 50 graphic pattern 122 memory

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A first step of taking in an analog signal into a memory from a recording medium in which a program converted into an analog signal and introduction condition information are recorded after being converted into pattern data in advance, and a pattern is taken from the signal taken in the memory. A second step of obtaining data and restoring a program and introduction condition information as digital data from the pattern data; and a third step of recording the restored program on a rewritable recording medium based on the introduction condition information. A method for introducing a program, comprising: 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the third step is based on the introduction condition information.
A method for introducing a program, comprising recording the restored program on a rewritable recording medium, updating or deleting a program already recorded on the recording medium, or additionally recording a restored program. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium on which the analogized program and the introduction condition information are recorded is a video signalized program transmitted as a broadcast wave and the introduction condition. A method for introducing a program, characterized in that the program is a recording medium in which information is received by a receiver, and the received program and introduction condition information are recorded by a video signal recording device connected to the receiver. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pattern data is a stripe pattern or a graphic pattern expressing a bit sequence corresponding to the program code.