JPH11102297A - Program updating method and information display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for updating a program related to the display of information on an information display device. SOLUTION: A video signal is displayed on a screen, besides, data are fetched from a computer network, and the program for updating a program related to the display of information on the information display device for displaying the data on the screen is updated. In this case, a server for storing the contents of a home page is provided with a file for the said program and when there is the request of a file from the information display device to that server (S30), the file is transmitted from that server to the information display device. The information display device receives that file (S32) and after it is identified that file is the file for the said program (S34: YES), that file is temporarily stored (S36) and written in a reloadable memory (S38).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information display device for displaying a video signal in a video signal on a screen, taking in data from a computer network such as the Internet or an intranet, converting the data into a video signal, and displaying the video signal on the screen. The present invention relates to a program updating method and an information display device for updating a program related to information display.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The Internet is a computer network in which a large number of computers are connected on a worldwide scale, and each computer stores various information that can be read. This information includes e-mails, various programs, homepages, etc., and can be communicated in both directions. The homepage is a cover and a table of contents of one piece of information, and necessary information can be searched by selecting a picture (icon) and a word on the homepage.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of connection between each computer and the Internet.
In this connection example, the personal computer 7 is connected to the telephone line 2 via a modem 8 or a terminal adapter, and the telephone line 2 is connected to a modem 3 or a terminal adapter of a provider which is a connection service company. The modem 3 is connected to a server 4 which is a computer of the provider.

[0004] The server 4 is always connected to the Internet 6 via a router 5 for setting a relay route. The personal computer 7 makes a call when necessary and connects to the Internet 6 via the provider server 4 (dial-up connection). Recently, an information display device that can connect to the Internet 6 in place of the personal computer 7 and display various information of the Internet on its screen has been proposed.

In view of the circumstances described above, the present applicant has proposed an information display apparatus having a simple configuration capable of displaying a television program and an Internet screen, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 8-2062.
No. 22 etc. The outline of the information display device proposed by the present applicant will be described below. The connection between the information display device and the Internet is, for example, as shown in FIG. In this connection example, the information display device 1 remotely operated by the remote control device 20a
Is connected to the telephone line 2. The information display device 1 has a built-in modem. The telephone line 2 is connected to a modem 3 or a terminal adapter of a provider which is a connection service company, and the modem 3 is connected to a server 4 which is a computer of the provider.

[0006] The server 4 is always connected to the Internet 6 via a router 5 for setting a relay route. When the remote control device 20a is operated from the information display device 1, a telephone call operation is automatically performed and the information display device 1 is connected to the Internet 6 via the server 4 of the provider (dial-up connection).

[0007] The configuration of the information display device 1 is as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2 (the audio relationship is omitted), and the television wave received by the antenna 10a is selected by the tuner 10, and the channel is selected. The transmitted television signal is
The video signal is detected by the video intermediate frequency / detection circuit 11. The detected video signal is supplied to a video chroma processing unit 1.
2, the luminance signal Y and the color difference signals BY and RY are extracted.

The extracted luminance signal Y and color difference signal B-
The video signal processor 13 converts Y, RY into red, green, and blue color signals R, G, and B, respectively. The color signals R, G, and B are supplied to an RGB matrix 15 via the switching unit 14 and output to the CRT 17 for each color. The video signal detected by the video intermediate frequency / detection circuit 11 is also supplied to a sync separation / deflection processing unit 16 to extract a vertical sync signal and a horizontal sync signal. The extracted vertical synchronizing signal and horizontal synchronizing signal are supplied to the CRT 17 and used as a screen scanning synchronizing signal.

On the other hand, the Internet processing unit 22 connected to the communication line 24 converts red, green, and blue color signals R, G, and B of a video signal from data supplied via the communication line 24.
Are extracted, and these color signals R, G, and B are supplied to the RGB matrix 15 via the switching unit 23, and CR signals are output for each color.
Output to T17. When displaying only the screen of the Internet, the Internet processing unit 22 independently creates a vertical synchronization signal and a horizontal synchronization signal, and the vertical synchronization signal and the horizontal synchronization signal are supplied to the CRT 17 and used as screen synchronization signals. used.

The tuning CPU 20 outputs a tuning instruction signal to the tuner 10 in accordance with an instruction from the remote control device 20a, such as an optical signal or a radio signal, and transmits and receives a signal to and from the Internet processing unit 22 to display information. The device 1 is operated and controlled. Further, if necessary, an instruction signal is also output to the on-screen display control unit 21 so that the video signal is supplied from the on-screen display control unit 21 to the RGB matrix 15.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the Internet processing unit 22. Internet processing unit 2
2 is a CPU that controls the entire Internet processing unit 22
A ROM 32 for storing a program and font data related to information display, and a working RAM 33
And a channel selection CPU I / F for connection with the channel selection CPU 20
(Interface) 35, an image memory 40 in which video signals are written and read, and an image memory 40
, An image processing unit 39 for writing to the
A bus 3 that connects the I / O port 30a to each of the above-described units;
0, the modem 50 connected to the communication line 24 and connected to the bus 30 via the serial I / F 37, the image memory 40, and the switching unit 23 and the video processing unit such as the RGB matrix 15. And a D / A converter 41.

An information display device 1 having such a configuration will be described below.
Will be described. The information display device 1 includes a channel selection CPU 20
Thus, when the mode operating as a normal television is designated, the television radio wave received by the antenna 10a is selected by the tuner 10 in accordance with an instruction from the tuning CPU 20. From the selected television wave, a video signal is detected by a video intermediate frequency / detection circuit 11, and from the detected video signal, a luminance signal Y and color difference signals BY, RY are detected by a video chroma processing unit 12.
Is extracted.

The extracted luminance signal Y and color difference signal B-
The video signal processor 13 converts Y, RY into red, green, and blue color signals R, G, and B, respectively. The color signals R, G, and B are supplied to an RGB matrix 15 via the switching unit 14 and output to the CRT 17 for each color. From the video signal detected by the video intermediate frequency / detection circuit 11, a vertical synchronization signal and a horizontal synchronization signal are extracted by a sync separation / deflection processing unit 16. The extracted vertical synchronizing signal and horizontal synchronizing signal are supplied to the CRT 17, and are used as synchronizing signals when the respective color signals R, G, B are scanned on the screen.

When the mode of operating the information display device 1 as the information display device 1 is designated by the channel selection CPU 20, the CPU 31 is interrupted. CPU31
Reads an image signal for one screen of the initial screen from the ROM 32 and sets it in the RAM 33 when an interrupt is applied. Further, the CPU 31 outputs a switching signal via the I / O port 30a, stops the output from the switching unit 14,
The input to the GB matrix 15 is switched only from the switching unit 23 and the on-screen display control unit 21.

The image processing unit 39 activates a built-in DMA controller of the CPU 31 every time a horizontal synchronizing signal is given by a built-in clock, and the DMA
The color signals R, G, and B of the video signal for one scanning line are read from 33 and supplied to the image memory 40. In the image memory 40, the respective color signals R, G, B are respectively written and read out based on the timing of a clock built in the image processing unit 39, and the read respective color signals R, G, B are read out.
Are supplied to the RGB matrix 15 via the switching unit 23 and output to the CRT 17 for each color.

As a result of the above operation, an initial screen as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display screen of the CRT 17. The operator can change the picture (icon) of “Shop information”, “Travel / tourism”, “News”, “Learning”, “Amusement”, “Regional and corporate information”, “Original”, “Search”, and “Email” When the user operates the remote control device 20a from the inside and selects and decides, for example, a picture of “Travel / Sightseeing”, the Internet processing unit 22 executes
A “Travel / Sightseeing” selection screen as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. Hereinafter, similarly, each time a selection is made and determined on the selection screen, a similar lower selection screen in which options are arranged in a tree shape is displayed.

The remote control device 20a has a selection button (43) at the right end of the upper surface, a decision button (44) at the left end, and various types of buttons at the center, like a picture 42 displayed at the bottom of the initial screen (FIG. 4). An operation button (45) is provided. The selection button is
The position of the "pointing hand" pointer or cursor can be freely moved in eight directions, and a picture (including a button-shaped picture) or a character that overlaps the pointer or cursor when the enter button is operated Items displayed in columns are selected and determined.

When the selection is determined on the selection screen and the search proceeds, a picture related to the searched item is read out from the ROM 32 and displayed on the display screen. When the operator operates the remote control device 20a to make a selection from the picture, the CPU 31 reads out the telephone number of the server 4 of the provider, performs a telephone calling operation, and communicates with the server 4 of the provider and the Internet processing unit. 22 is connected. When connected to the server 4 of the provider, the URL corresponding to the picture determined and determined is called and connected.

When data of the connected URL home page is sent via the communication line 24 and the modem 50,
The CPU 31 converts this data into a video signal and
Set to 3. The video signal set in the RAM 33 is displayed on the display screen in the same manner as in the case of the initial screen. When calling a URL that has not been registered, the user selects and determines “URL input” on the menu screen of the browser as shown in FIG.

[0020]

In the information display device 1 described above, since a program related to information display is recorded in the ROM 32, version upgrade is impossible.
On the other hand, technology related to the Internet is progressing rapidly. Therefore, there was a problem that it was not possible to cope with future new technologies. The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and provides a method of updating a program related to information display of an information display device, and an information display device capable of updating a program related to information display. The purpose is to provide.

[0021]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program updating method for displaying a video signal in a video signal on a screen, capturing data from a computer network, converting the data into a video signal, and displaying the video signal on the screen. A program updating method for updating a program related to information display of an information display device, wherein a file of the program is provided in a server that stores contents of a homepage, and when the file is requested from the information display device to the server. Transmitting the file from the server to the information display device, the information display device receives the file, temporarily stores the file after identifying that the file is a file of the program, and is rewritable. It is characterized in that writing to a memory is performed.

In this program updating method, a file for a program related to information display is provided in a server that stores the contents of a home page, and when a file request is made to the server from the information display device, the file is stored in the server. Send to display device. The information display device receives the file, identifies that the file is a file of a program related to information display, temporarily stores the file, and writes the file in a rewritable memory. Thus, the information display device can easily update the program related to the information display.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information display apparatus for displaying a video signal in a video signal on a screen, taking in data from a computer network, converting the data into a video signal, and displaying the video signal on the screen. A program updating method for updating a program related to
A server for supplying the program file is provided, and when the information display device is connected to the server by a telephone line, the server transmits the file to the information display device, and the information display device Receiving the file, identifying that the file is a file of the program, temporarily storing the file, and writing the file in a rewritable memory.

In this program updating method, a server for supplying a file of a program related to information display is provided, and when the information display device is connected to the server by a telephone line, the server transmits the file to the server. Transmit to the information display device. The information display device receives the file, identifies that the file is a file of a program related to information display, temporarily stores the file, and writes the file in a rewritable memory. Thereby, the information display device can update the program related to the information display.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program updating method for displaying an image signal in a video signal on a screen, capturing data from a computer network, converting the data into a video signal, and displaying the image signal on the screen. A program updating method for updating a program related to
A computer for supplying the program file is directly connected to the information display device, and a key code for enabling the program to be updated by the program is externally provided to the information display device. To the information display device, the information display device,
Receiving the file, identifying the file as a file of the program, temporarily storing the file, and writing the file in a rewritable memory.

According to this program updating method, a computer for supplying a file of a program related to information display is directly connected to the information display device, and a key code is externally provided to the information display device, whereby the program can be updated. Then, the computer sends the file to the information display device. The information display device receives the file, identifies that the file is a file of a program related to information display, temporarily stores the file, and writes the file in a rewritable memory. Thereby, the information display device can update the program related to the information display.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the program updating method, the program has write information including creation date or version information, and the information display device stores the temporarily stored program write information in the memory. When the writing information is newer than the writing information of the already written program, the temporarily stored program is written to the memory.

In this program updating method, the program related to the information display has write information including the date or version information created, and the information display device stores the write information of the temporarily stored program in a rewritable memory. When the writing information is newer than the writing information of the program which has already been written into the memory, the temporarily stored program is written to the memory. Thereby, the information display device can upgrade the program related to the information display.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the program updating method, when the temporarily stored program is written in the memory,
First, write information of a program already written in the memory is erased, and after writing the temporarily stored program, write information of the program is written.

In this program updating method, when writing a temporarily stored program in a rewritable memory, first, the write information of the program already written in the memory is erased. Then, after writing the temporarily stored program, write information of the program is written. Thus, the information display device can check whether or not the program related to the information display is completely recorded by checking whether or not the write information is recorded in the memory.

An information display device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is an information display device for displaying a video signal in a video signal on a screen, capturing data from a computer network, converting the data into a video signal, and displaying the video signal on the screen. Means for requesting a file of a program related to display from a server storing contents of a home page; means for receiving a file of the program; and identification for identifying that the file received by the means is a file of the program. Means, storage means for temporarily storing the file identified by the identification means, rewritable memory, and writing means for writing the file temporarily stored in the storage means to the memory.

In this information display device, the receiving means comprises:
The file of the program related to the information display is received, the identification unit identifies that the received file is the file of the program related to the information display, and the storage unit temporarily stores the identified file. The writing means writes the temporarily stored file to a rewritable memory. Thereby, the program related to the information display can be updated.

An information display apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized by further comprising means for connecting a telephone line to a server for supplying the program file.

In this information display device, the connecting means is
Since the telephone line is connected to the server for supplying the file of the program related to the information display, the user can update the program related to the information display by a simple operation.

An information display apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention includes a means for directly connecting to a computer, a means for receiving a key code for making the program updatable,
Means for enabling updating by the program when the means receives the key code.

In this information display device, the means for directly connecting is directly connected to the computer. Then, when the means for receiving the key code receives the key code for enabling the update by the program related to the information display, the means for enabling the key code sets the state in which the update by the program is possible. Therefore, it is possible to directly connect to a computer and use the computer to update a program related to information display.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the information display device, the write information including the date or version information of the program temporarily stored in the storage means is newer than the write information of the program already written in the memory. Means for judging whether the program is new or not, wherein the writing means writes the program temporarily stored in the storage means to the memory.

In this information display device, the means for determining
It is determined whether the write information including the date or version information of the program temporarily stored in the storage unit is newer than the write information of the program already written in the memory. Then, when the determining means determines that the write information of the temporarily stored program is newer, the temporarily stored program is written to a rewritable memory.

The information display device according to the tenth aspect of the invention, when writing the temporarily stored program to the memory, first erases the write information of the program already written in the memory, and stores the temporarily stored program in the memory. Means for writing the write information of the program after writing.

In this information display device, when writing the temporarily stored program into the rewritable memory, the erasing means first erases the write information of the program already written in the memory. Then, after writing the temporarily stored program, the writing means is:
The temporarily stored program write information is written to the memory. Thus, by checking whether or not the write information is recorded in the memory, it is possible to confirm whether or not the program related to the information display is completely recorded.

[0041]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings showing an embodiment. Embodiment 1 FIG. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a program updating method according to the first, fourth, and fifth inventions and an example of connection between the information display device according to the sixth, ninth, and tenth inventions and the Internet. In this connection example, the remote control device 2
The information display device 1a remotely operated by the telephone line 0a is connected to the telephone line 2. The information display device 1a has a built-in modem. The telephone line 2 is connected to a modem 3 or a terminal adapter of a provider which is a connection service company, and the modem 3 is connected to a server 4 which is a computer of the provider.

The server 4 is always connected to the Internet 6 and is connected to the Internet 6 via a router 5 for setting a relay route. When the remote control device 20a is operated from the information display device 1a, a telephone call operation is automatically performed, and the information display device 1a connects to the Internet 6 via the provider server 4 (dial-up connection).

The configuration of the information display device 1a is as shown in the block diagram of FIG.
A television wave received by the antenna 10a is selected by the tuner 10, and a video signal of the selected television wave is detected by the video intermediate frequency / detection circuit 11. From the detected video signal, a luminance signal Y and color difference signals BY and RY are extracted by a video chroma processing unit 12.

The extracted luminance signal Y and color difference signal B−
The video signal processor 13 converts Y, RY into red, green, and blue color signals R, G, and B, respectively. The color signals R, G, and B are supplied to an RGB matrix 15 via the switching unit 14 and output to the CRT 17 for each color. The video signal detected by the video intermediate frequency / detection circuit 11 is also supplied to a sync separation / deflection processing unit 16 to extract a vertical sync signal and a horizontal sync signal. The extracted vertical synchronizing signal and horizontal synchronizing signal are supplied to the CRT 17 and used as a screen scanning synchronizing signal.

On the other hand, the Internet processing unit 22a connected to the communication line 24 converts red, green and blue color signals R, G,
B, and these color signals R, G, B are given to the RGB matrix 15 via the switching unit 23,
Output to RT17. Internet processing unit 22a
Creates only a vertical synchronizing signal and a horizontal synchronizing signal when displaying only the screen of the Internet, and the vertical synchronizing signal and the horizontal synchronizing signal are given to the CRT 17 and used as a synchronizing signal for screen scanning.

The channel selection CPU 20 outputs a channel selection instruction signal to the tuner 10 in accordance with an instruction from the remote control device 20a, such as an optical signal or a radio signal, transmits and receives a signal to and from the Internet processing unit 22a, and displays information. The operation of the device 1a is controlled. Further, if necessary, an instruction signal is also output to the on-screen display control unit 21 so that the video signal is supplied from the on-screen display control unit 21 to the RGB matrix 15.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the Internet processing unit 22a. Internet processing unit 2
2a is a C that controls the entire Internet processing unit 22a.
PU 31 and a flash memory 3 which is electrically erasable and rewritable collectively for each block for storing a program related to information display and which can be updated later.
A ROM 32 for storing a program for starting a program related to information display, a program for writing data to the flash memory 34, and data that will not be updated at a later date, such as font data, and a working RAM 3
3 is provided.

The internet processing section 22a also selects a channel selection CPU I / F (interface) 35 for connection to the channel selection CPU 20, an image memory 40 in which video signals are written and read, and writes the video signals to the image memory 40. An image processing unit 39, a serial I / F 37, an I / O port 30a, a serial I / F 38 for connecting to an external personal computer or the like, a keyboard I / F 36 for connecting to a keyboard, , A modem 50 connected to the communication line 24,
A TA (terminal adapter) 51 for connecting to the ISDN line and the image memory 40,
D / D connected to a video processing unit such as RGB matrix 15
A conversion unit 41 is provided. The serial I / F 37 is
It is connected to either the modem 50 or the TA 51 as necessary.

The information display device 1 having such a configuration will be described below.
The operation (a) will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. When the information display device 1a is turned on, the program in the ROM 32 is read by the CPU 31 and activated. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing this activation process. After initializing the hardware (S10), the CPU 31 checks whether a write ID (write information) is written at a predetermined position in the flash memory 34 (S12). Flash memory 34
As shown in FIG. 7, a write ID is written at a predetermined position. The write ID indicates that an Internet section program related to information display is written in the flash memory 34, and includes date or version information when the program was created.

If the write ID is written at a predetermined position in the flash memory 34 (S12),
The program reads and starts the Internet section program in the flash memory 34 (S16) and returns. If the write ID is not written at a predetermined position in the flash memory 34, the program for downloading the Internet program from the home page on the Internet in the ROM 32 is read and activated (S14), and the process returns.

In the method of downloading from a homepage on the Internet, a user displays a specific homepage on the display screen (17) in the same manner as browsing a normal homepage, and downloads a program by simply pressing a download button. I can do it. Usually, in order to display a homepage, a file specified by a user is received from a server, and a display is performed based on the content.
The file to be received includes file type information, and includes file types such as HTML (Hyper Text Make-up Language), images and sounds.

The HTML file defines the home page to be displayed. The HTML file contains information such as characters to be displayed, image files, audio files, and buttons for branching to another home page. I do. The file is specified by the user by directly inputting a file name or by specifying a button displayed on a homepage, thereby inputting a file name associated with the button. The Internet Division program files related to information display
It is a special type of data that is different from the file handled by the normal WWW server, and by assigning a specific file name, it can be distinguished from other files, and it is downloaded only when the file of the Internet part program is received Processing is performed.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for downloading from a homepage on the Internet. When the user designates a file by instructing a download button on a homepage asking whether to download the program as shown in FIG.
Issues a request for the file transfer to the server (S3
0). The server sends the designated file according to the request to the terminal (1a) together with the type information. CPU31
Receives the transmitted file (S32), checks the type and name of the file, and if it is not a file (download file) of the Internet part program (S34), performs a normal display process (S40). ).

If the received file (S32) is a file (download file) of the Internet section program (S34), the CPU 31 temporarily stores the transmitted file in the RAM 33 (S36).
The flash memory writing program in the OM 32 is read and activated (S38).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flash memory writing process. The CPU 31 includes a RAM 33
Is compared with the version included in the write ID in the flash memory 34. If the version of the program in the RAM 33 is newer, that is, the program is updated and the version is upgraded. If it is done (S18),
The write ID in the flash memory 34 is cleared (S20). As a result, even if the writing is interrupted for some reason during the subsequent flash memory writing process, it is possible to prevent a situation in which an incomplete program is started.

Next, the CPU 31 writes the program in the RAM 33 onto the flash memory 34 (S22). When the writing is completed (S24), finally, the write ID of the written program is stored in the flash memory 34. At a predetermined position (S2
6). Next, the CPU 31 reads the program written on the flash memory 34 (S22), starts the program (S28), and returns. If the program has not been upgraded (S18), the flash memory 3
4 is read and activated (S28), and the program returns.

In the information display device 1a, when the mode for operating as a normal television is designated by the channel selection CPU 20, the television wave received by the antenna 10a is transmitted to the tuner 10 by the instruction from the channel selection CPU 20. Tuned. From the selected television wave, a video signal is detected by a video intermediate frequency / detection circuit 11, and from the detected video signal, a luminance signal Y and color difference signals BY, RY are detected by a video chroma processing unit 12. Is extracted.

The extracted luminance signal Y and color difference signal B-
The video signal processor 13 converts Y, RY into red, green, and blue color signals R, G, and B, respectively. The color signals R, G, and B are supplied to an RGB matrix 15 via the switching unit 14 and output to the CRT 17 for each color. From the video signal detected by the video intermediate frequency / detection circuit 11, a vertical synchronization signal and a horizontal synchronization signal are extracted by a sync separation / deflection processing unit 16. The extracted vertical synchronizing signal and horizontal synchronizing signal are supplied to the CRT 17, and are used as synchronizing signals when the respective color signals R, G, B are scanned on the screen.

When the mode for operating the information display device 1a as the information display device 1a is designated by the channel selection CPU 20, the CPU 31 is interrupted. CPU31
Reads an image signal for one screen of the initial screen from the flash memory 34 and sets it in the RAM 33 when an interrupt is applied. Further, the CPU 31 includes an I / O port 30a.
The switching signal is output via the switching unit 14, the output from the switching unit 14 is stopped, and the input to the RGB matrix 15 is switched only from the switching unit 23 and the on-screen display control unit 21.

The image processing section 39 activates the built-in DMA controller of the CPU 31 every time a horizontal synchronizing signal is given by the built-in clock,
The color signals R, G, and B of the video signal for one scanning line are read from 33 and supplied to the image memory 40. The image memory 40 writes and reads out each of the color signals R, G, and B based on the timing of a clock incorporated in the image processing unit 39. Each read color signal R, G, B
Are supplied to the RGB matrix 15 via the switching unit 23 and output to the CRT 17 for each color.

As a result of the above operation, an initial screen as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display screen of the CRT 17. The operator can change the picture (icon) of “Shop information”, “Travel / tourism”, “News”, “Learning”, “Amusement”, “Regional and corporate information”, “Original”, “Search”, and “Email” When the user operates the remote control device 20a from the inside and selects and decides, for example, a picture of “Travel / Sightseeing”, the Internet processing unit 22 executes
A “Travel / Sightseeing” selection screen as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. Hereinafter, similarly, each time a selection is made and determined on the selection screen, a similar lower selection screen in which options are arranged in a tree shape is displayed.

The remote control device 20a is provided with a selection button (43) at the right end of the upper surface, a decision button (44) at the left end, and various types of buttons at the center, as in a picture 42 displayed at the bottom of the initial screen (FIG. 4). An operation button (45) is provided. The selection button is
The position of the "pointing hand" pointer or cursor can be freely moved in eight directions, and a picture (including a button-shaped picture) or a character that overlaps the pointer or cursor when the enter button is operated Items displayed in columns are selected and determined.

When selection is determined on the selection screen and the search proceeds, a picture related to the searched item is read out from the flash memory 34 and displayed on the display screen. When the operator operates the remote control device 20a to make a selection from this picture, the CPU 31 reads out the telephone number of the server 4 of the provider and performs a telephone calling operation.
The server 4 of the provider and the Internet processing unit 22 are connected. When connected to the server 4 of the provider, the URL corresponding to the picture determined and determined is called and connected.

When the data of the connected URL home page is sent via the communication line 24 and the modem 50,
The CPU 31 converts this data into a video signal and
Set to 3. The video signal set in the RAM 33 is displayed on the display screen in the same manner as in the case of the initial screen. When calling a URL that has not been registered, the user selects and determines “URL input” on the menu screen of the browser as shown in FIG. 6, and inputs the URL.

Embodiment 2 Usually, the program for displaying the homepage has a large capacity, and at a later date,
Since they are subject to version upgrade, they cannot be stored in the ROM 32. For this reason, if the program is not written in the flash memory 34 or if the writing is interrupted for some reason during the download, the home page cannot be accessed. The program updating method according to the second, fourth, and fifth inventions and the information display device according to the seventh, ninth, and tenth inventions allow a program to be downloaded from a dedicated server in such an emergency.

In the program updating method according to the second, fourth, and fifth inventions and the information display device according to the seventh, ninth, and tenth inventions,
When the write ID is not written in a predetermined position in the flash memory 34 and the complete program is not written in the flash memory 34, the PU 31 outputs a message “program in the flash memory is Cleared. Please select the host to download. "On the display screen. When the user selects an appropriate server (usually the closest server) from the displayed servers (hosts), the CPU 31 makes a telephone connection to the server via the modem 50.

The server connected by telephone transmits the file of the Internet section program to the terminal 1a via the telephone line. The CPU 31 receives the transmitted file. Other configurations and operations are the same as the configurations and operations described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will not be repeated. Installing a dedicated server is more expensive than setting up a home page for download. In addition, it is not practical to install servers all over the country, so it may be necessary to download from a remote server, but the telephone charge becomes expensive. Therefore, this method may be used only in an emergency.

Embodiment 3 When downloading the Internet section program in the manufacturing process of the information display device and when the service person visits the user and downloads the Internet section program, if the download is performed using the telephone line, the communication cost increases and uneconomical. is there. In the program updating method according to the third, fourth and fifth inventions and the information display device according to the eighth, ninth and tenth inventions, the serial I
/ F38 enables direct connection to a personal computer or the like to download the Internet program.

In the program updating method according to the third, fourth, and fifth inventions and the information display device according to the eighth, ninth, and tenth inventions, a personal computer is connected to the serial I / F 38,
Enter a special remote control key to instruct download of the Internet section program. This remote control key cannot be input from the ordinary remote control device 20a.

The input remote control key is
The data is sent from the tuning CPU 20 to the Internet processing unit 22a. Upon receiving the remote control key, the Internet processing unit 22a enters a mode in which downloading from the serial I / F 38 is possible. Next, the Internet section program is transmitted from the personal computer through a serial line, and the CPU 31 receives the Internet section program. Other configurations and operations are the same as the configurations and operations described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will not be repeated.

[0071]

According to the program updating method of the first invention, the information display device can easily update the program related to the information display.

According to the program updating method of the second aspect, the information display device can update a program related to information display.

According to the program updating method of the third aspect, the information display device can update a program related to information display.

According to the program updating method of the fourth aspect, the information display device can upgrade the version of the program related to information display.

According to the program updating method of the fifth aspect, the information display device checks whether or not the write information is recorded in the memory, so that the program related to the information display is completely recorded. Can be checked.

According to the information display device of the sixth aspect, the program related to the information display can be updated.

According to the information display device of the seventh aspect, the user can update the program related to the information display by a simple operation.

According to the information display device of the eighth aspect, it is possible to directly connect to a computer and use the computer to update a program related to information display.

According to the information display device of the ninth aspect, it is possible to upgrade the program related to information display.

According to the information display device of the tenth aspect,
By checking whether or not the write information is recorded in the memory, it is possible to confirm whether or not the program related to the information display is completely recorded.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a program updating method and an example of connection between an information display device and the Internet according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an Internet processing unit.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an initial screen of the information display device.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a selection screen of “travel / sightseeing”.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a menu screen of a browser.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a write ID in a flash memory.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of the information display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation of the information display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a homepage for downloading an Internet section program.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an operation when a write ID is not written in the flash memory.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the Internet.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a conventional Internet processing unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1a Information display device 14, 23 Switching unit (switching means) 15 RGB matrix 17 CRT 20 Channel selection CPU 20a Remote control device 22a Internet processing unit 24 Communication line (telephone line) 31 CPU 32 ROM 33 RAM 34 Flash memory 38 Serial I / F 39 Image processing unit 40 Image memory 50 Modem

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A program for displaying a video signal in a video signal on a screen, updating a program related to information display of an information display device for capturing data from a computer network, converting the data into a video signal, and displaying the video signal on the screen. An update method, wherein a file of the program is provided on a server that stores contents of a homepage, and when the file is requested from the information display device to the server, the file is transmitted from the server to the information display device. The information display device receives the file, temporarily stores the file after identifying that the file is a file of the program,
A program updating method, wherein the program is written in a rewritable memory. 2. A program for displaying a video signal in a video signal on a screen, updating a program related to information display of an information display device for capturing data from a computer network, converting the data into a video signal, and displaying the video signal on the screen. An update method, wherein a server for supplying a file of the program is provided, and when the information display device is connected to the server by a telephone line, the server transmits the file to the information display device. The information display device receives the file, identifies the file as a file of the program, temporarily stores the file, and writes the file in a rewritable memory. 3. A program for displaying a video signal in a video signal on a screen, and also for updating a program related to information display of an information display device for capturing data from a computer network, converting the data into a video signal, and displaying the video signal on the screen. An update method, wherein a computer for supplying a file of the program is directly connected to an information display device, and a key code for enabling the update by the program is externally provided to the information display device. Transmitting the file from the computer to the information display device, the information display device
A program updating method, comprising: receiving the file, identifying the file as a file of the program, temporarily storing the file, and writing the file to a rewritable memory. 4. The program has write information including date or version information created, and the information display device stores the write information of the temporarily stored program,
The program updating method according to claim 1, wherein the temporarily stored program is written into the memory when the write information of the program already written in the memory is newer. 5. When writing a temporarily stored program to the memory, first, write information of the program already written in the memory is erased, and after writing the temporarily stored program, the write information of the program is changed. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the program is written. 6. An information display device for displaying a video signal in a video signal on a screen, capturing data from a computer network, converting the data into a video signal, and displaying the video signal on a screen. Means for requesting a server storing the contents of a home page, means for receiving the program file, identification means for identifying that the file received by the means is the program file, and identification means for identifying An information display device, comprising: a storage unit for temporarily storing a file, a rewritable memory, and a writing unit for writing the file temporarily stored in the storage unit to the memory. 7. The information display device according to claim 6, further comprising: means for connecting a telephone line to a server for supplying the program file. 8. A means for directly connecting to a computer, a means for receiving a key code for enabling the update by the program, and a means for updating the program when the means receives the key code. The information display device according to claim 6, further comprising: a unit for setting the information display device to a possible state. 9. A memory further comprising means for judging whether write information including a date or version information of a program temporarily stored in the storage means is newer than write information of a program already written in the memory. 9. The information display device according to claim 6, wherein said writing means writes the program temporarily stored in said storage means to said memory when said means determines that said information is new. 10. When writing a temporarily stored program to the memory, first, means for erasing write information of the program already written in the memory, and writing the program after writing the temporarily stored program 10. The information display device according to claim 6, further comprising: a unit for writing information.