JPH11102343A - Information display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a user from turning the power source OFF carelessly forgetting that downloading is in process by allowing the user to grasp the progress state of the downloading. SOLUTION: A CPU 31 writes a program in a RAM 33 to a flash memory 34. The CPU 31 when clearing the write ID in the flash memory 34 sends a download start code to a channel selection CPU 20b through a channel selection CPU I/F 35. The CPU 31 while writing the program in the RAM 33 to the flash memory 34 counts the written data sequentially and calculates the rate of the counted data to the size of a file read out of kind information. The CPU 31 displays the calculated rate with numbers and a graph on the screen under the control of an on-screen display control part together with a message 'Downloading from the Internet is carried on.'.

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. It is about.

[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.

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] Although the technology relating to the Internet is advancing steadily, in the conventional information display device, a program related to information display is recorded in a non-rewritable ROM, so that it is impossible to upgrade the version. . Therefore, there was a problem that it was not possible to cope with future new technologies. Therefore, the present applicant has recently proposed an information display device capable of upgrading a program related to information display using a rewritable memory such as a flash memory.

[0008]

When a program related to information display is upgraded (updated),
If the program is interrupted by turning off the power while downloading the new version of the program from the supply side of the server 4 or the like, the information display device runs out of usable programs related to information display. . There is a method in which the memory of the old version is not erased until the download is completed by providing a margin in the memory, but there is a problem that the cost of parts increases due to the increase in the memory. The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and provides an information display device that is not likely to interrupt download when updating a program related to information display of the information display device. With the goal.

[0009]

An information display device according to a first aspect of the present invention displays a video signal in a video signal on a screen, fetches data from a computer network,
In an information display device that converts a video signal into a video signal and displays it on a screen, a receiving unit that receives a file of a program related to information display, a storage unit that temporarily stores a file received by the receiving unit, Reading means for reading information indicating the size of the file, which is included in the stored file; rewritable memory; writing means for writing the file temporarily stored in the storage means to the memory; Means for counting the amount of data written while writing the file to the memory; means for calculating the ratio of the amount of data counted by the means to the size read by the reading means; Means for displaying on the screen.

In this information display device, the receiving means receives the file of the program related to the information display, the storage means temporarily stores the file received by the receiving means, and the reading means stores the file temporarily stored in the storage means. And read information that indicates the size of the file. Writing means,
The storage means writes the file temporarily stored in the rewritable memory, and during the writing, the counting means counts the written data amount, and the calculating means reads the counted data amount by the reading means. Calculate the ratio to the size. Then, the display means displays the calculated ratio on the screen. As a result, the user can grasp the progress of the download, so that the user does not inadvertently forget that the download is being performed and turn off the power. When the program related to the information display is updated, the download is not performed. There is no danger of being interrupted.

An information display device according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a prohibition means for prohibiting power-off when a signal instructing power-off is input while the writing means writes the file in the memory; Means for displaying on the screen that the file is being written when the prohibiting means prohibits power-off, and further comprising: when a signal for instructing power-off is inputted, The prohibition means releases prohibition.

In this information display device, while the writing means writes a program file related to information display into the rewritable memory, when a signal instructing power off is input, the prohibiting means turns off the power. When the prohibition means prohibits the power-off, the display means displays on the screen that the file is being written. And
When a signal instructing to turn off the power is input again, the prohibition unit releases the prohibition. This allows the user to grasp the progress of the download, so that the user does not inadvertently forget that the download is being performed and turn off the power. Also, if the user attempts to turn off the power, the fact that downloading is in progress is displayed (warned), so that when updating a program related to information display, there is no possibility that the download will be interrupted.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings showing an embodiment. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of connection between the information display device according to the present invention and the Internet. 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.

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 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).

The configuration of the information display device 1 is as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2 (relation of audio is omitted). A television wave received by the antenna 10a is tuned by the tuner 10 and tuned. 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, 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 control unit 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 / receives a signal to / from the Internet processing unit 22. The information display device 1 is operated and controlled. In addition, an instruction signal is output to the on-screen display control unit 21 as necessary, and
To the RGB matrix 15.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the Internet processing unit 22 and the tuning control unit 20. The Internet processing unit 22 includes a CPU 31 that controls the entire Internet processing unit 22, and a flash that is electrically erasable and rewritable collectively for each block for storing a program related to information display that can be updated at a later date. ROM 32 for storing a memory 34, a program for starting a program related to information display, a program for writing data to the flash memory 34, and data such as font data which will not be updated at a later date
And a working RAM 33.

The Internet processing unit 22 further includes a tuning CPU I / F for connecting to the tuning control unit 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
I / O port 30a, serial I / F 38 for connecting to an external personal computer, etc., keyboard I / F 36 for connecting to a keyboard, bus 30 for connecting the above-described units, and connection to communication line 24 D / A converter 41 connected to the modem 50, a TA (terminal adapter) 51 for connecting to the ISDN line, and the image memory 40 and connected to the switching unit 23 and the video processing unit such as the RGB matrix 15. And Serial I / F3
7 is connected to either the modem 50 or the TA 51 as necessary.

The tuning control unit 20 includes a tuning CPU 20b for controlling the operation of the information display device 1, and a tuning CPU 20b.
b, a channel selecting unit 25 for changing the display channel of the television according to the instruction from the channel selecting unit 20; An input switching unit 27 for switching an input of television or video in response to an instruction from the CPU 20b, and a remote control I / F 20c for receiving an optical signal or a radio signal from the remote control device 20a. The tuning CPU 20b is connected to the Internet processing unit 22 via the tuning CPU I / F 35.
Is connected to

Hereinafter, the information display device 1 having such a configuration will be described.
Will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. When the information display device 1 is turned on, the program in the ROM 32 is read by the CPU 31 and activated. FIG. 5 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). FIG.
As shown in (1), 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, the user displays a specific homepage on the display screen (17) in the same manner as browsing a normal homepage, and downloading of the program is performed simply by 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 file type information includes file size information in addition to the file type and the creation date and time.

The HTML file defines a 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 file of the Internet section program related to the information display is special type data different from the file handled by a normal WWW server, and the type information of the file is obtained by giving a specific file name.
The file can be identified from other files, and the download process is performed only when the file of the Internet section program is received.

FIG. 6 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 specified file to the terminal (1) together with the type information in accordance with the request. The CPU 31
The transmitted file is received (S32), the size of the file is read based on the type information, the type and name of the file are checked, and if the file is not an Internet part program file (download file) (S34). Then, normal display processing is performed (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. 7 is a flowchart showing a flash memory writing process. The CPU 31 compares the version of the program temporarily stored in the RAM 33 (S36 in FIG. 6) with the version included in the write ID in the flash memory 34, and when the version of the program in the RAM 33 is newer, that is, when the program is If it has been updated and upgraded (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.

When the write ID in the flash memory 34 is cleared (S20), the CPU 31
A download start code is transmitted to the channel selection CPU 20b via the I / F 35. The CPU 31 also sets R
While writing the program in the AM 33 onto the flash memory 34 (S22), the amount of written data is sequentially counted, and the ratio of the counted amount of data to the size of the file read from the type information is calculated.

The CPU 31 sends the calculated ratio from the on-screen display control unit 21 through the channel selection control unit 20 to the screen (17) as shown in FIG.
Display it with numbers and graphs along with the message "Internet software is being downloaded." CPU
31 indicates that the writing of the program in the RAM 33 onto the flash memory 34 is completed (S24), and the write ID
Is completed (S26), the channel selection CPUI /
A download end code is transmitted to the tuning CPU 20b through F35.

The channel selection CPU 20b regards the time from when the download start code is received to when the download end code is received as the download is being performed, and when a signal for instructing power-off is input from the remote control device 20a during this time. Is the on-screen display control unit 21
Then, as shown in Fig. 10, a message including a warning on the screen (17), "The Internet program is currently being downloaded. The downloaded data will be lost when the power is turned off. Do you really want to turn off the power?" Is displayed.

Despite displaying the message including the warning shown in FIG. 10, the channel selection CPU 20b sends a download stop code to the CPU 31 only when a signal for instructing power off is again input from the remote control device 20a. Is transmitted, and the Internet processing unit 22 interrupts the download process, and then the power supply unit 26 is turned off.

When the mode for operating as a normal television is designated by the channel selection control unit 20, the information display apparatus 1 transmits the television wave received by the antenna 10a from the channel selection control unit 20. Is selected by the tuner 10. 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.

The information display device 1 includes a tuning control unit 2
When the mode for operating as the information display device 1 is designated by 0, the CPU 31 is interrupted. CPU
When an interrupt is applied, the flash memory 31
The video signal for one screen of the initial screen is read from
Set to 3. Also, the CPU 31 has an I / O port 3
0a, outputs a switching signal, stops the output from the switching unit 14, and switches the input to the RGB matrix 15 to the switching unit 23.
And on-screen display control unit 21 only.

The image processing section 39 activates the built-in DMA controller of the CPU 31 every time the 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. 11 is displayed on the display screen of the CRT 17. The operator can select the "Store information", "Travel and sightseeing"
Each picture (icon) of "news", "learning", "entertainment", "local and corporate information", "original", "search", and "email"
When the user operates the remote control device 20a to select and decide, for example, a picture of "Travel / Tourism",
The Internet processing unit 22 displays a “travel / sightseeing” selection screen as shown in FIG. 12 in the same manner as in the case of the initial screen. 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, as shown in a picture 42 displayed at the bottom of the initial screen (FIG. 11). 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 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 transmitted 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 a URL that has not been registered is called, "URL input" on the menu screen of the browser as shown in FIG. 13 is selected and determined by the cursor 46, and the URL is input.

[0043]

According to the information display device of the first invention,
Since the user can grasp the progress of the download, the user does not inadvertently turn off the power by forgetting that the download is being performed, and the download is interrupted when updating the program related to the information display. There is no fear.

According to the information display apparatus of the second invention, the user can grasp the progress of the download, so that the user does not inadvertently forget that the download is being performed and turn off the power. Also, if the user attempts to turn off the power, the fact that downloading is in progress is displayed (warned), so that when updating a program related to information display, there is no possibility that the download will be interrupted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of connection between an information display device according to the present invention and the Internet.

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

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an Internet processing unit and a tuning control unit;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a write ID in a flash memory.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the information display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a homepage for downloading an Internet section program.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an operation of the information display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an operation of the information display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for describing an initial screen of the Internet unit.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a selection screen of “travel / sightseeing”.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a menu screen of a browser.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the Internet.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information display apparatus 14, 23 Switching part 15 RGB matrix 17 CRT 20 Tuning control part 20a Remote control device 20b Tuning CPU 22 Internet processing part 24 Communication line (telephone line) 26 Power supply part 31 CPU 32 ROM 33 RAM 34 Flash memory 39 image processing unit 40 image memory 50 modem

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. 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. Receiving means for receiving, storage means for temporarily storing a file received by the receiving means, reading means for reading information indicating the size of the file included in the file temporarily stored in the storage means, and rewritable memory Writing means for writing the file temporarily stored in the storage means to the memory; and while the writing means writes the file to the memory,
Means for counting the amount of data written, means for calculating the ratio of the amount of data counted by the means to the size read by the reading means, and means for displaying the rate calculated by the means on the screen An information display device, characterized in that: 2. A prohibition unit for prohibiting power-off when a signal instructing power-off is input while the writing unit writes the file in the memory, and the prohibition unit prohibits power-off. Means for displaying, on the screen, that the file is being written, when the signal for instructing power-off is input again, the prohibiting means cancels the prohibition. Item 2. The information display device according to Item 1.