Data processing: software development – installation – and managem – Software program development tool – Translation of code
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-17
2001-07-24
Hafiz, Tariq R. (Department: 2762)
Data processing: software development, installation, and managem
Software program development tool
Translation of code
C717S152000, C717S152000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06266810
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for updating software of computer applied product through a transmission channel, and more particularly to a system and apparatus for updating control software of a digital television receiver for receiving video, audio and data through wired and/or wireless digital transmission channels.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In a simple information terminal not provided with an auxiliary memory device, control software is stored in a ROM that is not rewritable, and to update this control software, the ROM must be replaced, which is very difficult if multiple products are present in the market. For flexible changing of control software, the so-called “program downloading system” is known, in which system the control software is stored in a RAM instead of the ROM and transmtted from the central processing apparatus of the system through a transmission channel. In this system, even if it is not necessary to change the software, transmission is always required when turning on the power source or when recovering from abnormal state of the terminal. To eliminate such wasteful transmission when turning on the power source, a method for storing the control software in the EEPROM instead of the RAM is proposed (for example, “Program downloading system” in Japanese Laid-open Patent No. 6-4269). In this method, it is impossible to change the download processing portion of the control software.
It is also proposed to prepare two sets of EEPROM, and download the control software for updating in a spare EEPROM while managing by the working EEPROM (“Remote software downloading system” in Japanese Laid-open Patent No. 5-158703). According to this system, if an abnormality occurs while downloading, since the working control software remains intact, it is a benefit that downloading into the spare EEPROM can be resumed, and another merit is that the download processing portion of the control software can be changed. A demerit is, however, that the cost is high because two sets of EEPROM are used.
Further, concerning the digital television receiver, in order to cope with extension of functions flexibly, it is proposed to store the basic function portions of the control software in the ROM, and store the extension portions of the control software corresponding to the extended functions in the EEPROM (“Data reception processing apparatus, data reception processing method, and broadcasting method” in Japanese Laid-open Patent No. 8-195952). Branching means to a predicted extension function is prepared permanently in the basic function portions of the control software stored in the ROM, and the extended portions of the control software are downloaded in the EEPROM by using the data transmission stream contained in the digital broadcasting channel. This system is advantageous in that it is flexible to cope with predicted extensions, but as for the extension not predicted, it is necessary to change the basic functional portions stored in the ROM, which requires replacement of ROM, and hence it is not a radical solution.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is hence an object of the invention to update the entire region of control software by downloading, by using only one set of EEPROM, so as to be capable of coping with any extension of the control software including changes of basic functions. It is other object to be capable of restoring and resuming if there is abnormality when downloading, in order to execute downloading securely, even by using a digital transmission channel of digital television broadcast using a wireless transmission which is likely to be influenced by disturbance such as noise. It is a different object to update the control software flexibly, depending on the type of the product used by the customer, receiving trend of the customer, or contract situation of paid program of the customer.
The invention provides a method of extending or changing the functions of the receiver as a result, by updating the control software stored in the memory of digital television receiver by using data signal contained in broadcast signal.
First, the working control software takes out the temporary download processing program exclusive for downloading for receiving and storing data from transmitted data packets, and stored in a working region of a memory not interfering the present downloading process. When storing is over, the control is transferred to this temporary download processing program, and this temporary download processing program takes out the new download processing program for composing the stem portion of the update control software, and stores in a specified region. In consequence, the control is shifted to this new download processing program, and the new non-download processing program for composing the remaining portion of the update control software is taken out, and stores in a region once occupied by the temporary download processing program. When this storing is over, the control is returned to the update control software. In this way, the control software in the memory is updated, and the operation as the television receiver having the updated function is resumed.
In the program downloading apparatus of the invention described herein, arbitrary updating is possible in all program region of the control software. Besides, at any moment of updating, since the download program for receiving data and storing data is working, it is possible to resume if there is abnormality during data reception. Moreover, the EEPROM or the like that is not erased when the power is cut off is used in the memory, it is possible to resume if the power is interrupted in the apparatus during updating.
Moreover, by making use of designate information (including designation of group and non-designation) of product, user and version of program which is to be updated or in transmission in the program packet, automatic updating is enabled, and also while efficiently utilizing the digital transmission channel, the control software can be updated accurately and with propriety in small units for the group of products or users, or even for individual product or individual person.
Furthermore, by returning the success or failure of downloading of program to the sender, the terminal state can be controlled at the sender side, or by returning the error statistics to the sender, it may be useful for improving the control software at the sender side.
Owing to these merits, the utility is enhanced not only at the information terminals, but also in the entire system, and in particular the utility, reliability and maintainability of digital television system are enhanced, which may contribute greatly to its popularity and expansion of service.
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European Search Report for Int'l Appln No. 98106922 dated Aug. 31, 1998.
Maeda Tetsuji
Tanaka Hirofumi
Yasutake Koichi
Hafiz Tariq R.
Matsushita Electric - Industrial Co., Ltd.
Ratner & Prestia
Vo Ted T.
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