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SOFTWARE UPGRADING OR UPDATING |
Control program downloading method for replacing control program in digital broadcast receiving apparatus with new control program sent from digital broadcast transmitting apparatus6470496
Abstract
To provide a control program downloading method that is used by a digital broadcast receiving apparatus equipped with a storing device which stores an update program and a non-update program that compose a control program. Under control of the update program, a new update program is received and written over data stored in a part of an area in the storing device where the non-update program has been stored. At the same time, a part of a new non-update program is received and written over data stored in another part of the area in the storing device where the non-update program has been stored. Once the new update program has been completely written into the storing device, under control of the new update program, the reception and writing of the part of the new non-update program is continued.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A control program downloading method that is used by a program receiving apparatus equipped with a storing device which stores in advance a control program made up of an update program used for download of a new control program and a non-update program used for processing other than the download of the new control program, the new control program being made up of a new update program and a new non-update program, the control program downloading method comprising:
a first controlling step for executing the update program stored in the storing device to receive the new update program and write the received new update program over the non-update program stored in a first area in the storing device; and
a second controlling step for executing, once the first controlling step has finished writing the new update program into the storing device, the new update program to receive the new non-update program and write the received new non-update program over data stored in a second area in the storing device aside from an area where the new update program that is currently being used is stored,
wherein the new update program is divided into divisions which are each accompanied by a first identifier and a serial number, and is received in units of divisions,
wherein the new non-update program is divided into divisions which are each accompanied by a second identifier and a serial number, and is received in units of divisions,
wherein in the first controlling step, if the first identifier is appended to a received division of the new control program, the received division is judged as belonging to the new update program and a location where the received division is to be written is specified within the first area based on a serial number appended to the received division, and
wherein in the second controlling step, if the second identifier is appended to a received division of the new control program, the received division is judged as belonging to the new non-update program and a location where the received division is to be written is specified within the second area based on a serial number appended to the received division.
2. A control program downloading method that is used by a digital broadcast receiving apparatus equipped with a storing device which stores in advance a control program made up of an update program used for download of a new control program and a non-update program used for processing other than the download of the new control program, the new control program being made up of a new update program and a new non-update program, the control program downloading method comprising:
a judging step for repeatedly judging whether writing of the new update program has been completed, having a first controlling step operate until completion of the writing of the new update program, and having a second controlling step operate after the completion of the writing of the new update program;
the first controlling step for executing the update program stored in the storing device to receive the new update program and write the received new update program over data stored in a first area in the storing device that is a part of an area where the non-update program has been stored, and, at the same time, receive a first non-update program which is a part of the new non-update program and write the received first non-update program over data stored in a second area, aside from the first area, that is a part of the area where the non-update program has been stored; and
the second controlling step for executing the new update program written in the storing device to take over reception and writing of the first non-update program and, at the same time, receive a second non-update program which is a part of the new non-update program other than the first non-update program and write the received second non-update program over data stored in a third area in the storing device aside from the second area and an area where the new update program which is currently being used is stored.
3. The control program downloading method of claim 2,
wherein when it is judged in the judging step that the writing of the new update program has been completed, the second controlling step copies the new update program written in the first area to an area in the storing device where the update program has been stored, and executes the copied new update program.
4. The control program downloading method of claim 3,
wherein the new update program is divided into divisions which are each accompanied by a first identifier and a serial number, and is received in units of divisions,
wherein the first non-update program is divided into divisions which are each accompanied by a second identifier and a serial number, and is received in units of divisions,
wherein the second non-update program is divided into divisions which are each accompanied by a third identifier and a serial number, and is received in units of divisions,
wherein in the first controlling step, if the first identifier is appended to a received division of the new control program, the received division is judged as belonging to the new update program and a location where the received division is to be written is specified within the first area based on a serial number appended to the received division, while if the second identifier is appended to the received division, the received division is judged as belonging to the first non-update program and a location where the received division is to be written is specified within the second area based on a serial number appended to the received division, and
wherein in the second controlling step, if the third identifier is appended to a received division of the new control program, the received division is judged as belonging to the second non-update program and a location where the received division is to be written is specified within the third area based on a serial number appended to the received division.
5. The control program downloading method of claim 4,
wherein the digital broadcast receiving apparatus is further equipped with a temporary storing device used in the first controlling step and the second controlling step to receive and write the new control program, and
wherein in each of the first controlling step and the second controlling step, data of the new control program is received and stored into the temporary storing device in units of divisions, and when a predetermined number of divisions are stored in the temporary storing device, the predetermined number of divisions are transferred from the temporary storing device to the storing device.
6. The control program downloading method of claim 5,
wherein the data of the new control program received in each of the first controlling step and the second controlling step has been compressed, and
wherein the first controlling step and the second controlling step each decompress the data in the temporary storing device before transferring the data to the storing device.
7. The control program downloading method of claim 5,
wherein the data of the new control program received in each of the first controlling step and the second controlling step has seen compressed in units of predetermined size, each of the units being accompanied by a start address at which the unit is to be written into the storing device and a precompressed data size of the unit,
wherein the first controlling step and the second controlling step each transfer each unit stored in the temporary storing device to an area in the storing device which is found using a start address and a precompressed data size appended to the unit, and
wherein the control program downloading method further comprises
a decompressing step for decompressing the unit in the storing device.
8. The control program downloading method of claim 5,
wherein each serial number is made up of a group number and a sequence number, the group number being one of numbers serially given to groups that compose each of the new update program, the first non-update program, and the second non-update program, while the sequence number being one of numbers serially given to sequences that compose a group specified by the group number,
wherein each division includes a sequence, and
wherein in each of the first controlling step and the second controlling step, the data of the new control program is stored into the temporary storing device in units of sequences, and when at least one group is stored in the temporary storing device, each of the groups is transferred from the temporary storing device to the storing device.
9. The control program downloading method of claim 8,
wherein the data of the new control program received in each of the first controlling step and the second controlling step has been compressed in units of groups, and
wherein the first controlling step and the second controlling step each decompress each of the groups stored in the temporary storing device before transferring each of the groups to the storing device.
10. The control program downloading method of claim 8,
wherein the data of the new controlling program received in each of the first controlling step and the second controlling step has been compressed in units of groups which are each accompanied by a start address at which the group is to be written into the storing device and a precompressed data size of the group, and
wherein the first controlling step and the second controlling step each transfer each of the groups stored in the temporary storing device to an area in the storing device which is found using a start address and a precompressed data size appended to the group, and
wherein the control program downloading method further comprises
a decompressing step for decompressing the group in the storing device.
11. The control program downloading method of claim 3,
wherein the storing device holds data even when power is off,
wherein the digital broadcast receiving apparatus is further equipped with a status holding device for holding, even when power is off, a status value showing one out of: a first status which begins when the download of the new control program is started and ends when it is judged in the judging step that the writing of the new update program has been completed; a second status which begins after it is judged in the judging step that the writing of the new update program has been completed and ends when the new update program is copied; a third status which begins after the new update program is copied and ends when the download of the new control program is completed; and a normal status other than the first status, the second status, and the third status, and
wherein the control program downloading method further comprises
a continuing step for continuing, if the download of the new control program is suspended halfway, the download based on the status value held in the status holding device.
12. A control program downloading method that is used by a digital broadcast receiving apparatus to download a transmitted control program of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus,
the control program being made up of subprograms of different types which are each divided into divisions and are repeatedly transmitted in a predetermined sequence in units of divisions, each of the divisions being accompanied by a current identifier specifying a type of a subprogram that the division belongs to,
the control program downloading method comprising:
a receiving step for receiving the subprograms in units of divisions;
a judging step for judging, with reference to a current identifier appended to a received division, whether the received division belongs to a priority subprogram which is given priority for being downloaded, a concurrency subprogram which can be downloaded concurrently with the priority subprogram, or a subprogram which is neither the priority subprogram nor the concurrency subprogram; and
a downloading step for downloading the received division which is judged as belonging to any of the priority subprogram and the concurrency subprogram.
13. The control program downloading method of claim 12,
wherein each of the divisions is further accompanied by a start identifier showing a current identifier of a subprogram which is to be downloaded first among the subprograms that make up the control program, a start sub identifier showing a current identifier of a subprogram which can be downloaded concurrently with the subprogram shown by the start identifier, a next identifier showing a current identifier of a subprogram which is given priority for being downloaded after a subprogram which the division belongs to, and a next sub identifier showing a current identifier of a subprogram which can be downloaded concurrently with the subprogram shown by the next identifier,
wherein the judging step includes:
an identifier extracting substep for extracting a start identifier and a start sub identifier from a given division received in the receiving step;
an identifier storing substep for initially storing the extracted start identifier and start sub identifier into an identifier storing device equipped in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus, respectively as a priority subprogram identifier and a concurrency subprogram identifier; and
an updating substep for replacing, when all divisions of the priority subprogram have been downloaded in the downloading step, the priority subprogram identifier and the concurrency subprogram identifier in the identifier storing device respectively with a next identifier and a next sub identifier appended to any of the divisions of the priority subprogram, and
wherein in the judging step, when the current identifier appended to the received division matches the priority subprogram identifier in the identifier storing device, the received division is judged as belonging to the priority subprogram, while when the current identifier appended to the received division matches the concurrency subprogram identifier in the identifier storing device, the received division is judged as belonging to the concurrency subprogram.
14. A control program transmitting method for transmitting a control program of a program receiving apparatus, comprising:
an acquiring step for acquiring the control program made up of an update program to be used in the program receiving apparatus for download of the control program and a non-update program to be used in the program receiving apparatus for processing other than the download of the control program;
a dividing step for dividing each of the update program and the non-update program into divisions which are each accompanied by a serial number;
an identifier appending step for appending a first identifier and a second identifier respectively to each division of the update program and each division of the non-update program; and
a transmitting step for repeatedly transmitting, in sequence, every division to which any of the first identifier and the second identifier is appended.
15. A control program transmitting method for transmitting a control program of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus, comprising:
an acquiring step for acquiring the control program made up of an update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for download of the control program and a non-update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for processing other than the download of the control program;
a separating step for separating the non-update program into a first non-update program whose data size is no smaller than the update program and a second non-update program other than the first non-update program;
a dividing step for dividing each of the update program, the first non-update program, and the second non-update program into divisions which are each accompanied by a serial number;
an identifier appending step for appending a first identifier to each division of the update program, a second identifier to each division of the first non-update program, and a third identifier to each division of the second non-update program; and
a transmitting step for repeatedly transmitting, in sequence, every division to which any of the first identifier, the second identifier, and the third identifier is appended.
16. The control program transmitting method of claim 15,
wherein the transmitting step repeatedly transmits, in sequence, all divisions of the update program, a part of all divisions of the first non-update program, all divisions of the second non-update program, and a remaining part of the divisions of the first non-update program, and
wherein a period for transferring the part of the divisions of the first non-update program transmitted after the divisions of the update program is no less than a reboot period in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus.
17. The control program transmitting method of claim 15,
wherein in sequential transmission of every division to which any of the first identifier, the second identifier, and the third identifier is appended, the transmitting step temporarily suspends the transmission before a data size of consecutively transmitted divisions exceeds a data capacity of a reception buffer equipped in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus, and resumes the transmission after a lapse of a period necessary for transferring the divisions consecutively stored in the reception buffer to a control program storing device equipped in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus.
18. The control program transmitting method of claim 17,
wherein the transmitting step transmits dummy data during suspension of the transmission.
19. The control program transmitting method of claim 17,
wherein the transmitting step repeatedly transmits, in sequence, all divisions of the update program, all divisions of the first non-update program, and all divisions of the second non-update program.
20. A control program transmitting method for transmitting a control program of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus, comprising:
a control program acquiring step for acquiring the control program which is made up of an update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for download of the control program and a non-update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for processing other than the download of the control program;
a data size acquiring step for acquiring a data size obtained by subtracting a size of an area prepared in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for an increase of codes associated with download of the non-update program, from a data size of the update program;
a separating step for separating the non-update program into a first non-update program whose data size is no smaller than the data size acquired in the data size acquiring step and a second non-update program other than the first non-update program;
a dividing step for dividing each of the update program, the first non-update program, and the second non-update program into divisions which are each accompanied by a serial number;
an identifier appending step for appending a first identifier to each division of the update program, a second identifier to each division of the first non-update program, and a third identifier to each division of the second non-update program; and
a transmitting step for repeatedly transmitting, in sequence, every division to which any of the first identifier, the second identifier, and the third identifier is appended.
21. The control program transmitting method of claim 20,
wherein the dividing step compresses each of the update program, the first non-update program, and the second non-update program in units of predetermined size.
22. The control program transmitting method of claim 21,
wherein the dividing step adds, to each of the units, a precompressed data size of the unit and a start address at which the unit is to be downloaded into a storing device equipped in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for storing the control program.
23. The control program transmitting method of claim 20,
wherein the dividing step first divides each of the update program, the first non-update program, and the second non-update program into groups and then divides each of the groups into sequences,
wherein each serial number is made up of a group number serially appended to each of the groups and a sequence number serially appended to each of the sequences, and
wherein each of the divisions includes a sequence.
24. The control program transmitting method of claim 23,
wherein the dividing step compresses each of the groups before dividing each of the groups into the sequences.
25. The control program transmitting method of claim 24,
wherein the dividing step adds, to each of the groups, a precompressed data size of the group and a start address at which the group is to be downloaded into a storing device equipped in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for storing the control program.
26. A control program transmitting method for transmitting a control program of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus, comprising:
an acquiring step for acquiring the control program which is made up of an update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for download of the control program and a non-update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for processing other than the download of the control program;
a separating step for separating a first portion from the non-update program, combining the first portion with the update program to form a first control program whose data size is approximately 1/M of the control program, separating a second portion whose data size is equal to the first control program from the non-update program aside from the first portion, setting the second portion as a second control program, and dividing the non-update program aside from the first portion and the second portion by approximately (M-2) into third to Mth control programs, where M is an even number no less than 4;
a dividing step for dividing each of the first control program, the second control program, and the third to Mth control programs into divisions of similar size;
an identifier appending step for appending a first identifier and a second identifier respectively to each division of the first control program and each division of the second control program, evenly sorting the third to Mth control programs into a first program group and a second program group, and appending a third identifier and a fourth identifier respectively to each division of the first program group and each division of the second program group; and
a transmitting step for repeatedly transmitting, when every division with any of the first identifier and the third identifier is grouped as a first set and every division with any of the second identifier and the fourth identifier is grouped as a second set, the first set and the second set alternately in units of divisions.
27. A control program transmitting method for transmitting a control program of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus, comprising:
an acquiring step for acquiring the control program made up of subprograms of different types;
a dividing step for dividing each of the subprograms into divisions;
an appending step for appending, to each of the divisions, a current identifier specifying a type of a subprogram which the division belongs to, priority information showing a priority subprogram which is given priority for being downloaded, and concurrency information showing a concurrency subprogram which can be downloaded concurrently with the priority subprogram; and
a transmitting step for repeatedly transmitting, in sequence, every division to which the current identifier, the priority information, and the concurrency information is appended.
28. The control program transmitting method of claim 27,
wherein the priority information includes a start identifier showing a current identifier of a subprogram to be downloaded first among the subprograms and a next identifier showing a current identifier of a subprogram which is given priority for being downloaded after the subprogram which the division belongs to, and
wherein the concurrency information includes a start sub identifier showing a current identifier of a subprogram which can be downloaded concurrently with the subprogram shown by the start identifier and a next sub identifier showing a current identifier of a subprogram which can be downloaded concurrently with the subprogram shown by the next identifier.
29. A computer-readable storing medium storing any of an old control program and a new control program of a program receiving apparatus,
the program receiving apparatus being equipped with a storing device which stores the old control program in advance,
the old control program being made up of an old update program used for download of the new control program and an old non-update program used for processing other than the download of the new control program,
the new control program being made up of a new update program used for the download of the new control program and a new non-update program used for processing other than the download of the new control program,
the computer-readable storing medium, when implemented in a computer enables an installation of the new control program with an efficient allocation of the storage area of the storing device relative to writing over the old control program,
the old control program and the new control program comprising:
a first controlling step for executing the old update program stored in the storing device to receive the new update program and write the received new update program over the old non-update program stored in a first area in the storing device; and
a second controlling step for executing, once the first controlling step has finished writing the new update program into the storing device, the new update program to receive the new non-update program and write the received new non-update program over data stored in a second area in the storing device aside from an area where the new update program that is currently being used is stored,
wherein the new update program is divided into divisions which are each accompanied by a first identifier and a serial number, and is received in units of divisions,
wherein the new non-update program is divided into divisions which are each accompanied by a second identifier and a serial number, and is received in units of divisions,
wherein in the first controlling step, if the first identifier is appended to a received division of the new control program, the received division is judged as belonging to the new update program and a location where the received division is to be written is specified within the first area based on a serial number appended to the received division, and
wherein in the second controlling step, if the second identifier is appended to a received division of the new control program, the received division is judged as belonging to the new non-update program and a location where the received division is to be written is specified within the second area based on a serial number appended to the received division.
30. A computer-readable storing medium storing any of an old control program and a new control program of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus,
the digital broadcast receiving apparatus being equipped with a storing device which stores the old control program in advance,
the old control program being made up of an old update program used for download of the new control program and an old non-update program used for processing other than the download of the new control program,
the new control program being made up of a new update program used for the download of the new control program and a new non-update program used for processing other than the download of the new control program,
the computer-readable storing medium, when implemented in a computer enables an installation of the new control program with an efficient allocation of the storage area of the storing device relative to writing over the old control program,
the old control program and the new control program comprising:
a judging step for repeatedly judging whether writing of the new update program has been completed, having a first controlling step operate until completion of the writing of the new update program, and having a second controlling step operate after the completion of the writing of the new update program;
the first controlling step for executing the old update program stored in the storing device to receive the new update program and write the received new update program over data stored in a first area in the storing device that is a part of an area where the old non-update program has been stored, and, at the same time, receive a first non-update program which is a part of the new non-update program and write the received first non-update program over data stored in a second area, aside from the first area, that is a part of the area where the old non-update program has been stored; and
the second controlling step for executing the new update program written in the storing device to take over reception and writing of the first non-update program and, at the same time, receive a second non-update program which is a part of the new non-update program other than the first non-update program and write the received second non-update program over data stored in a third area in the storing device aside from the second area and an area where the new update program which is currently being used is stored.
31. A computer-readable storing medium storing a control program of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus that is to download the control program transmitted to the digital broadcast receiving apparatus,
the control program being made up of a subprograms of different types which are each divided into divisions and are repeatedly transmitted in a predetermined sequence in units of divisions, each of the divisions being accompanied by a current identifier specifying to a type of a subprogram which the division belongs to,
the digital broadcast receiving apparatus will implement the execution of the control program to prioritize the downloading of divisions of the subprograms,
the control program comprising:
a receiving step for receiving the subprograms in units of divisions;
a judging step for judging, with reference to a current identifier appended to a received division, whether the received division belongs to a priority subprogram which is given priority for being downloaded, a concurrency subprogram which can be downloaded concurrently with the priority subprogram, or a subprogram which is neither the priority subprogram nor the concurrency subprogram; and
a downloading step for downloading the received division which is judged as belonging to any of the priority subprogram and the concurrency subprogram.
32. A computer-readable storing medium storing a control program transmission program for transmitting a control program of a program receiving apparatus, the program receiving apparatus will implement the execution and installation of the control program by the control program transmission program, the control program transmission program comprising:
an acquiring step for acquiring the control program made up of an update program to be used in the program receiving apparatus for download of the control program and a non-update program to be used in the program receiving apparatus for processing other than the download of the control program;
a dividing step for dividing each of the update program and the non-update program into divisions which are each accompanied by a serial number;
an identifier appending step for appending a first identifier and a second identifier respectively to each division of the update program and each division of the non-update program; and
a transmitting step for repeatedly transmitting, in sequence, every division to which any of the first identifier and the second identifier is appended.
33. A computer-readable storing medium storing a control program transmission program for transmitting a control program of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus will implement the execution and installation of the control program by the control program transmission program, the control program transmission program comprising:
an acquiring step for acquiring the control program made up of an update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for download of the control program and a non-update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for processing other than the download of the control program;
a separating step for separating the non-update program into a first non-update program whose data size is no smaller than the update program and a second non-update program other than the first non-update program;
a dividing step for dividing each of the update program, the first non-update program, and the second non-update program into divisions which are each accompanied by a serial number;
an identifier appending step for appending a first identifier to each division of the update program, a second identifier to each division of the first non-update program, and a third identifier to each division of the second non-update program; and
a transmitting step for repeatedly transmitting, in sequence, every division to which any of the first identifier, the second identifier, and the third identifier is appended.
34. A computer-readable storing medium storing a control program transmission program for transmitting a control program of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus will implement the execution and installation of the control program by the control program transmission program, the control program transmission program comprising:
a control program acquiring step for acquiring the control program which is made up of an update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for download of the control program and a non-update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for processing other than the download of the control program;
a data size acquiring step for acquiring a data size obtained by subtracting a size of an area prepared in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for an increase of codes associated with download of the non-update program, from a data size of the update program;
a separating step for separating the non-update program into a first non-update program whose data size is no smaller than the data size acquired in the data size acquiring step and a second non-update program other than the first non-update program;
a dividing step for dividing each of the update program, the first non-update program, and the second non-update program into divisions which are each accompanied by a serial number;
an identifier appending step for appending a first identifier to each division of the update program, a second identifier to each division of the first non-update program, and a third identifier to each division of the second non-update program; and
a transmitting step for repeatedly transmitting, in sequence, every division to which any of the first identifier, the second identifier, and the third identifier is appended.
35. A computer-readable storing medium storing a control program transmission program for transmitting a control program of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus will implement the execution and installation of the control program by the control program transmission program, the control program transmission program comprising:
an acquiring step for acquiring the control program which is made up of an update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for download of the control program and a non-update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for processing other than the download of the control program;
a separating step for separating a first portion from the non-update program, combining the first portion with the update program to form a first control program whose data size is approximately 1/M of the control program, separating a second portion whose data size is equal to the first control program from the non-update program aside from the first portion, setting the second portion as a second control program, and dividing the non-update program aside from the first portion and the second portion by approximately (M-2) into third to Mth control programs, where M is an even number no less than 4;
a dividing step for dividing each of the first control program, the second control program, and the third to Mth control programs into divisions of similar size;
an identifier appending step for appending a first identifier and a second identifier respectively to each division of the first control program and each division of the second control program, evenly sorting the third to Mth control programs into a first program group and a second program group, and appending a third identifier and a fourth identifier respectively to each division of the first program group and each division of the second program group; and
a transmitting step for repeatedly transmitting, when every division with any of the first identifier and the third identifier is grouped as a first set and every division with any of the second identifier and the fourth identifier is grouped as a second set, the first set and the second set alternately in units of divisions.
36. A computer-readable storing medium storing a control program transmission program for transmitting a control program of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus will implement the execution and installation of the control program by the control program transmission program, the control program transmission program comprising:
an acquiring step for acquiring the control program made up of subprograms of different types;
a dividing step for dividing each of the subprograms into divisions;
an appending step for appending, to each of the divisions, a current identifier specifying a type of a subprogram which the division belongs to, priority information showing a priority subprogram which is given priority for being downloaded, and concurrency information showing a concurrency subprogram which can be downloaded concurrently with the priority subprogram; and
a transmitting step for repeatedly transmitting, in sequence, every division to which the current identifier, the priority information, and the concurrency information is appended.
37. A computer-readable storing medium storing a control program of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus will implement the execution of the control program to prioritize the downloading of divisions of the subprograms, the control program being characterized in that:
the control program is made up of subprograms of different types which are each divided into divisions; and
each of the divisions is accompanied by a current identifier specifying a type of a subprogram which the division belongs to, priority information showing a priority subprogram that is given priority for being downloaded, and concurrency information showing a concurrency subprogram that can be downloaded concurrently with the priority subprogram.
38. A control program downloading apparatus, comprising:
storing means for storing in advance a control program made up of an update program used for download of a new control program and a non-update program used for processing other than the download of the new control program, the new control program being made up of a new update program and a new non-update program:
first controlling means for executing the update program stored in the storing means to receive the new update program and write the received new update program over the non-update program stored in a first area in the storing means; and
second controlling means for executing, once the first controlling means has finished writing the new update program into the storing means, the new update program to receive the new non-update program and write the received new non-update program over data stored in a second area in the storing means aside from an area where the new update program that is currently being used is stored,
wherein the new update program is divided into divisions which are each accompanied by a first identifier and a serial number, and is received in units of divisions,
wherein the new non-update program is divided into divisions which are each accompanied by a second identifier and a serial number, and is received in units of divisions,
wherein if the first identifier is appended to a received division of the new control program, the first controlling means judges the received division as belonging to the new update program, and specifies a location where the received division is to be written within the first area based on a serial number appended to the received division, and
wherein if the second identifier is appended to a received division of the new control program, the second controlling means judges the received division as belonging to the new non-update program, and specifies a location where the received division is to be written within the second area based on a serial number appended to the received division.
39. A computer program downloading apparatus, comprising:
storing means for storing in advance a control program made up of an update program used for download of a new control program and a non-update program used for processing other than the download of the new control program, the new control program being made up of a new update program and a new non-update program;
judging means for repeatedly judging whether writing of the new update program has been completed, having first controlling means operate until completion of the writing of the new update program, and having second controlling means operate after the completion of the writing of the new update program;
the first controlling means for executing the update program stored in the storing means to receive the new update program and write the received new update program over data stored in a first area in the storing means that is a part of an area where the on-update program has been stored, and, at the same time, receive a first non-update program which is a part of the new non-update program and write the received first non-update program over data stored in a second area, aside from the first area, that is a part of the area where the non-update program has been stored; and
the second controlling means for executing the new update program written in the storing means to take over reception and writing of the first non-update program and, at the same time, receive a second non-update program which is a part of the new non-update program other than the first non-update program and write the received second non-update program over data stored in a third area in the storing means aside from the second area and an area where the new update program which is currently being used is stored.
40. A control program downloading apparatus for downloading a transmitted control program of the control program downloading apparatus,
the control program being made up of subprograms of different types which are each divided into divisions and are repeatedly transmitted in a predetermined sequence in units of divisions, each of the divisions being accompanied by a current identifier that specifies a type of a subprogram which the division belongs to,
the control program downloading apparatus comprising:
receiving means for receiving the subprograms in units of divisions;
judging means for judging, with reference to a current identifier appended to a received division, whether the received division belongs to a priority subprogram which is given priority for being downloaded, a concurrency subprogram which can be downloaded concurrently with the priority subprogram, or a subprogram which is neither the priority subprogram nor the concurrency subprogram; and
downloading means for downloading the received division which is judged as belonging to any of the priority subprogram and the concurrency subprogram.
41. A control program transmitting apparatus for transmitting a control program of a program receiving apparatus, comprising:
acquiring means for acquiring the control program made up of an update program to be used in the program receiving apparatus for download of the control program and a non-update program to be used in the program receiving apparatus for processing other than the download of the control program;
dividing means for dividing each of the update program and the non-update program into divisions which are each accompanied by a serial number;
identifier appending means for appending a first identifier and a second identifier respectively to each division of the update program and each division of the non-update program; and
transmitting means for repeatedly transmitting, in sequence, every division to which any of the first identifier and the second identifier is appended.
42. A control program transmitting apparatus for transmitting a control program of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus, comprising:
acquiring means for acquiring the control program made up of an update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for download of the control program and a non-update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for processing other than the download of the control program;
separating means for separating the non-update program into a first non-update program whose data size is no smaller than the update program and a second non-update program other than the first non-update program;
dividing means for dividing each of the update program, the first non-update program, and the second non-update program into divisions which are each accompanied by a serial number;
identifier appending means for appending a first identifier to each division of the update program, a second identifier to each division of the first non-update program, and a third identifier to each division of the second non-update program; and
transmitting means for repeatedly transmitting, in sequence, every division to which any of the first identifier, the second identifier, and the third identifier is appended.
43. A control program transmitting apparatus for transmitting a control program of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus, comprising:
control program acquiring means for acquiring the control program which is made up of an update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for download of the control program and a non-update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for processing other than the download of the control program;
data size acquiring means for acquiring a data size obtained by subtracting a size of an area prepared in the digital Broadcast receiving apparatus for an increase of codes associated with download of the non-update program, from a data size of the update program;
separating means for separating the non-update program into a first non-update program whose data size is no smaller than the data size acquired by the data size acquiring means and a second non-update program other than the first non-update program;
dividing means for dividing each of the update program, the first non-update program, and the second non-update program into divisions which are each accompanied by a serial number;
identifier appending means for appending a first identifier to each division of the update program, a second identifier to each division of the first non-update program, and a third identifier to each division of the second non-update program; and
transmitting means for repeatedly transmitting, in sequence, every division to which any of the first identifier, the second identifier, and the third identifier is appended.
44. A control program transmitting apparatus for transmitting a control program of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus, comprising:
acquiring means for acquiring the control program which is made up of an update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for download of the control program and a non-update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for processing other than the download of the control program;
separating means for separating a first portion from the non-update program, combining the first portion with the update program to form a first control program whose data size is approximately 1/M of the control program, separating a second portion whose data size is equal to the first control program from the non-update program aside from the first portion, setting the second portion as a second control program, and dividing the non-update program aside from the first portion and the second portion by approximately (M-2) into third to Mth control programs, where M is an even number no less than 4;
dividing means for dividing each of the first control program, the second control program, and the third to Mth control programs into divisions of similar size;
identifier appending means for appending a first identifier and a second identifier respectively to each division of the first control program and each division of the second control program, evenly sorting the third to Mth control programs into a first program group and a second program group, and appending a third identifier and a fourth identifier respectively to each division of the first program group and each division of the second program group; and
transmitting means for repeatedly transmitting, when every division with any of the first identifier and the third identifier is grouped as a first set and every division with any of the second identifier and the fourth identifier is grouped as second set, the first set and the second set alternately in units of divisions.
45. A control program transmitting apparatus for transmitting a control program of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus, comprising:
acquiring means for acquiring the control program made up of subprograms of different types;
dividing means for dividing each of the subprograms into divisions; appending means for appending, to each of the divisions, a current identifier specifying a type of a subprogram which the division belongs to, priority information showing a priority subprogram which is given priority for being downloaded, and concurrency information showing a concurrency subprogram which can be downloaded concurrently with the priority subprogram; and
transmitting means for repeatedly transmitting, in sequence, every division to which the current identifier, the priority information, and the concurrency information is appended.
Description
This application is based on application Ser. Nos. 10-218802 and 11-084807 filed in Japan, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a digital broadcast receiving apparatus and a digital broadcast transmitting apparatus, and in particular relates to a technique for replacing a control program currently used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus with a new control program sent from the digital broadcast transmitting apparatus.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Nowadays, video, audio, and other various types of data are broadcasted through digital broadcasting that uses MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) transport streams or the like.
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic sketch of a digital broadcast transmitting apparatus under MPEG standard.
This transmitting apparatus includes a plurality of encoders 601 that each digitize video and audio of a different one of a plurality of broadcast programs and encode and compress the digitized video and audio to produce video and audio streams, a data generator 602 for generating a data stream from service information such as program specific information and program information, a multiplexer 603 for performing time division multiplexing on the data stream and video and audio streams of the plurality of broadcast programs to create multiplexed transport stream packets, and a modulator 604 for digitally modulating the transport stream packets to generate a transmittable modulated wave.
That is to say, video streams and audio streams generated by the plurality of encoders 601 and a data stream generated by the data generator 602 are multiplexed in time division by the multiplexer 603 to produce MPEG2 multiplexed transport stream packets, which are then digitally modulated by the modulator 604 to create a modulated wave.
FIG. 1 shows three sets of the above units that generate a modulated wave. Three modulators 604 generate modulated waves of different frequencies and output them onto a transmission line (e.g. radio wave or cable). In digital satellite broadcasting, since as many modulated waves as transponders equipped in a satellite (not illustrated) can be simultaneously transmitted, the modulated waves generated by the three modulators 604 are concurrently broadcasted to a plurality of digital broadcast receiving apparatuses via transponders corresponding to the respective three modulators 604.
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic sketch of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus under MPEG standard.
This receiving apparatus includes a tuner 901 for selectively receiving a modulated wave including a channel designated by a user among the modulated waves transmitted via the transmission line, a demodulator 902 for digitally demodulating the received modulated wave to acquire multiplexed transport stream packets, a demultiplexer 903 for separating the multiplexed transport stream packets into a data stream and video and audio streams of a plurality of broadcast programs, a transport decoder (hereinafter "TD") 904 for extracting a necessary stream, an audio decoder 905 for decompressing and decoding an extracted audio stream and converting the audio stream into analog form to generate audio signals, video decoder 906 for decompressing and decoding an extracted video stream to generate video information, a video decoder memory 907 used by the video decoder 906 as a work area, a CPU 908 for controlling each component of the receiving apparatus, a flash memory 909 for storing a control program of the CPU 908, a DRAM (dynamic RAM) 910 for storing service information and display information included in the data stream, an EEPROM (electrically erasable and programmable ROM) 911 for storing information which needs to be retained while the power of the receiving apparatus is off, a display generator 912 for merging the video information and the service information to generate video signals, and a CPU bus 913 for connecting each component of the receiving apparatus for data transfer. Here, the CPU bus 913 is connected to the tuner 901, demodulator 902, TD 904, CPU 908, flash memory 909, DRAM 910, EEPROM 911, and display generator 912, and is used for control of the CPU 908 or data transfer such as DMA (direct memory access) transfer.
In addition to the above components of the receiving apparatus, the figure also shows a speaker 914 for converting the audio signals generated by the audio decoder 905 into sounds and a monitor 915 for generating images from the video signals created by the display generator 912.
The overall operation of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus is as follows. The modulated wave received by the tuner 901 is demodulated by the demodulator 902 to acquire multiplexed transport stream packets, which are then separated by the demultiplexer 903 into different streams from which a necessary stream is extracted by the TD 904. An extracted audio stream is converted into audio signals by the audio decoder 905 and further converted into sounds via the speaker 914. An extracted video stream is converted into video information by the video decoder 906 and merged with service information by the display generator 912, and as a result images are displayed on the monitor 915. Here, service information included in an extracted data stream is stored in the DRAM 910 and only the information designated by the user is transferred to the display generator 912 via the TD 904 to be merged with the video information.
The unit of data transfer of transport stream packets from the digital broadcast transmitting apparatus to the digital broadcast receiving apparatus is referred to as "packet", with information being transmitted in units of packets irrespective of the type of the information. The size of each packet is typically 188 bytes.
The structure of data such as the service information stored in the DRAM 910 is called "section structure", with a set of section structured data being called "table".
FIG. 3 shows a section structure table.
This table contains table_id, table_id_extension, and section_length.
Table_id and table_id_extension are used by the TD 904 to extract a desired table.
Table_id is an identifier indicating a type of the table, whereas table_id_extension is an external identifier showing the type indicated by the table ID in more details.
Section_length shows a total data size (number of bytes) of section made up of data_bytes which are each 8 bits (1 byte) long.
When services provided by a broadcast station change, it becomes necessary to rewrite a control program which is currently used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus. There are various methods for replacing the currently used control program with a new control program. One of such methods is that the digital broadcast receiving apparatus receives the new control program from the broadcast station and replaces the current control program with the new control program. Although this method is relatively convenient for the user as it is easily performed within a short time, hardware and software for rewriting the control program needs to be equipped in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus.
FIG. 4 shows the form of transmitting a control program in digital satellite broadcasting. In the figure, the control program is sent from a broadcast station to a digital broadcast receiving apparatus of the user via a satellite together with video data and audio data.
The following is a description of replacing a control program currently used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus with a new control program sent from the digital broadcast transmitting apparatus.
A digital broadcast receiving apparatus that has a control program download function usually stores a control program in a rewritable flash memory.
FIG. 5A shows a memory map of the flash memory 909 that stores a control program.
The control program stored in the flash memory 909 includes a reception program, a download program, an OS, and a device driver. In addition to this control program, the flash memory 909 also stores a boot program.
A control program holds data of around several megabytes and is typically transmitted in units of packets. Accordingly, when downloading a new control program, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus cannot rewrite the currently used control program until the whole new control program is received and processed. Hence, to store received packets of the new control program, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus has to be equipped with a memory with a minimum capacity equal to the data size of the whole new control program, apart from the flash memory 909 that stores the current control program. In the digital broadcast receiving apparatus of the present example, received data of the new control program is stored in the DRAM 910.
FIG. 5B shows a memory map of the DRAM 910 that stores the new control program.
The structure of the new control program stored in the DRAM 910 is the same as the control program in the flash memory 909. The DRAM 910 is used as a work area of the CPU 908 when it is not being used for download of the new control program.
The digital broadcast transmitting apparatus has the data generator 602 generate a data stream from the new control program which is to be sent, has the modulator 604 generate a modulated wave using the data stream in the same way as the above mentioned service information, and outputs the modulated wave onto the transmission line.
The digital broadcast receiving apparatus receives the modulated wave including the data stream generated from the new control program via the tuner 901, under the control of the CPU 908 that executes the control program stored in the flash memory 909. Once the data stream has been extracted by the TD 904 and stored in the DRAM 910 according to the section structure, data of the new control program is extracted and stored in an empty area of the DRAM 910. When the whole new control program is stored in the DRAM 910, the new control program is written over the control program stored in the flash memory 909.
As for data format of the transmitted new control program, a download control table (DCT) and download table (DLT) that conform to ARIB (Association of Radio Industries and Businesses) STD-B16 are normally used, though it is also possible for each broadcast station to use a unique format. The DCT and the DLT are both section structure tables.
FIG. 6 shows the format of a DCT.
The DCT includes table_id, section_length, transport_stream_id, DL_PID (download packed ID), model_info_length (model information length), and sets of model_info (model information).
Table_id shows "0xC0" as a table ID of the DCT.
Transport_stream_id is an identifier of a transport stream and specifies a frequency of a modulated wave which is to be received by the tuner 901.
DL_PID is an identifier of a packet which is to be extracted by the TD 904.
Model_info_length shows a total data size of the sets of model_info in bytes.
Each set of model_info includes maker_id identifying a manufacturer of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus, model_id identifying a model of the receiving apparatus, and version_id identifying a software version of the receiving apparatus.
FIG. 7 shows the format of a DLT.
The DLT includes table_id, section_length, maker_id, model_id, version_id, and code_data_bytes. In the DCT, data from table_id to immediately before a model information field is called a section header.
Table_id shows "0xC1" as a table ID of the DLT.
Section_length is "0x89C" without exception.
Maker_id, model_id, and version_id are the same as the DCT.
Code_data_bytes represent the main body of the software and are 8 bits.times.2048 (2 Kbytes) long.
For details on the DCT and DLT, see ARIB, CS Digital Broadcast Standard Shared Receiver: ARIB STANDARD, ARB STD-B16 the 1.0th edition, pp 12.about.16.
DCTs are multiplexed into every modulated wave received by the digital broadcast receiving apparatus.
The digital broadcast receiving apparatus receives any of the modulated waves sent from the digital broadcast transmitting apparatus and has the TD 904 filter DCTs multiplexed in the received modulated wave, under the control of the CPU 908 that executes the download program stored in the flash memory 909. The filtered DCTs are buffered in the DRAM 910 and the CPU 908 judges whether there is appropriate DLTS, based on maker_id, model_id, and version_id shown in each DCT.
On judging that there is appropriate DLTs, the CPU 908 instructs the display generator 912 to display on the monitor 915 a message for notifying the user that the new control program can be downloaded.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a conventional control program rewriting method.
(1) When the user gets the message and requests the download of the new control program, the tuner 901 receives a modulated wave identified by transport_stream_id in a DCT with which it has been judged that appropriate DLTs exist (S91).
(2) The received modulated wave is demodulated by the demodulator 902, separated by the demultiplexer 903 into different streams, and filtered by the TD 904. As a result, an appropriate DLT is obtained and stored in the DRAM 910 (S92).
(3) The CPU 908 stores code_data_bytes included in the DLT stored in the DRAM 910 into an empty area of the DRAM 910 (S93).
(4) It is judged whether the whole data of the new control program has been stored in the DRAM 910. If not, steps S92.about.S93 are repeated until the whole data is stored (S94).
(5) Once the new control program has completely been stored, the CPU 908 writes the new control program over the control program in the flash memory 909 (S95).
(6) When the download of the new control program has finished, the new control program is booted (S96).
Thus, in the conventional control program downloading method the rewriting of the control program in the flash memory 909 does not begin until the transmitted new control program is completely stored in the DRAM 910.
In this conventional technique, a main RAM with a capacity at least equal to the size of the control program must be equipped in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for rewriting the control program. On the other hand, there is an alternative method whereby the flash memory is made dual while the capacity of the main RAM is limited to no more than necessary for processing other than the control program download, where one memory area is used for storing the current control program and the other for storing the new control program received from the broadcast station.
However, since neither the main RAM with a capacity for a whole control program nor the dual flash memory is necessary for processing other than the control program download, it is not desirable to bring up the price of the receiving apparatus by including such components that are unnecessary during normal control.
Also, to limit the capacity of the main RAM, there is a division downloading method of dividing the new control program into smaller parts than the capacity of the main RAM and replacing the current control program with the new control program in units of parts.
However, a control program usually includes a program for controlling rewriting of the control program, so that partially rewriting the control program causes inability to control the rewriting processing per se and thus the control program cannot be rewritten in divided units. Therefore, the capacity of the main RAM needs to be at least no less than the data size of the control program.
In the case of one-way transmission of a control program from a broadcast station as in digital satellite broadcasting, the control program is sent in cycles. To download a specific program from its beginning, the user may have to wait a whole cycle of control program transmission in the worst case. For instance, if a repeat cycle of a control program in a digital satellite broadcast station is of the order of 8.5 minutes, the processing time may be prolonged by as much as 8.5 minutes, that causes real inconvenience on the part of the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention aims to provide a control program transmitting method, control program downloading method, computer-readable storing medium storing a control program transmission program, computer-readable storing medium storing a control program, control program transmitting apparatus, and control program downloading apparatus that can limit the necessary memory capacity and reduce the cycle wait time when a program receiving apparatus, such as a digital broadcast receiving apparatus, rewrites a control program.
The above stated object can be fulfilled by a control program transmitting method for transmitting a control program of a program receiving apparatus, the control program transmitting method including: an acquiring step for acquiring the control program made up of an update program to be used in the program receiving apparatus for download of the control program and a non-update program to be used in the program receiving apparatus for processing other than the download of the control program; a dividing step for dividing each of the update program and the non-update program into divisions which are each accompanied by a serial number; an identifier appending step for appending a first identifier and a second identifier respectively to each division of the update program and each division of the non-update program; and a transmitting step for repeatedly transmitting, in sequence, every division to which any of the first identifier and the second identifier is appended.
The above object can also be fulfilled by a control program downloading method that is used by a program receiving apparatus equipped with a storing device which stores in advance a control program made up of an update program used for download of a new control program and a non-update program used for processing other than the download of the new control program, the new control program being made up of a new update program and a new non-update program, the control program downloading method including: a first controlling step for executing the update program stored in the storing device to receive the new update program and write the received new update program over the non-update program stored in a first area in the storing device; and a second controlling step for executing, once the first controlling step has finished writing the new update program into the storing device, the new update program to receive the new non-update program and write the received new non-update program over data stored in a second area in the storing device aside from an area where the new update program that is currently being used is stored, wherein the new update program is divided into divisions which are each accompanied by a first identifier and a serial number, and is received in units of divisions, wherein the new non-update program is divided into divisions which are each accompanied by a second identifier and a serial number, and is received in units of divisions, wherein in the first controlling step, if the first identifier is appended to a received division of the new control program, the received division is judged as belonging to the new update program and a location where the received division is to be written is specified within the first area based on a serial number appended to the received division, and wherein in the second controlling step, if the second identifier is appended to a received division of the new control program, the received division is judged as belonging to the new non-update program and a location where the received division is to be written is specified within the second area based on a serial number appended to the received division.
With the above construction, only after the received new update program is written over the non-update program prestored in an area in the storing device and then copied from the area to an area where the update program is prestored, the new non-update program is written over the new update program in the area from which the new update program was copied. Accordingly, even when a malfunction such as power failure occurs while, for instance, the new update program is being copied, it can be ensured that at least one of the prestored update program and the new update program exists in the storing device in complete form.
Therefore, the program receiving apparatus can securely rewrite the control program without being equipped with a memory specifically used for rewriting the control program.
Also, the program receiving apparatus refers to a serial number of each division to specify an address in which the division is to be written into the storing device, so that the download processing can be promptly conducted regardless of the transmission sequence of each division.
Which is to say, the download processing can be started from any division, with it being possible to reduce the cycle wait time.
The above object can also be fulfilled by a control program transmitting method for transmitting a control program of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus, the control program transmitting method including: an acquiring step for acquiring the control program made up of an update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for download of the control program and a non-update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for processing other than the download of the control program; a separating step for separating the non-update program into a first non-update program whose data size is no smaller than the update program and a second non-update program other than the first non-update program; a dividing step for dividing each of the update program, the first non-update program, and the second non-update program into divisions which are each accompanied by a serial number; an identifier appending step for appending a first identifier to each division of the update program, a second identifier to each division of the first non-update program, and a third identifier to each division of the second non-update program; and a transmitting step for repeatedly transmitting, in sequence, every division to which any of the first identifier, the second identifier, and the third identifier is appended.
The above object can also be fulfilled by a control program transmitting method for transmitting a control program of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus, the control program transmitting method including: a control program acquiring step for acquiring the control program which is made up of an update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for download of the control program and a non-update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for processing other than the download of the control program; a data size acquiring step for acquiring a data size obtained by subtracting a size of an area prepared in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for an increase of codes associated with download of the non-update program, from a data size of the update program; a separating step for separating the non-update program into a first non-update program whose data size is no smaller than the data size acquired in the data size acquiring step and a second non-update program other than the first non-update program; a dividing step for dividing each of the update program, the first non-update program, and the second non-update program into divisions which are each accompanied by a serial number; an identifier appending step for appending a first identifier to each division of the update program, a second identifier to each division of the first non-update program, and a third identifier to each division of the second non-update program; and a transmitting step for repeatedly transmitting, in sequence, every division to which any of the first identifier, the second identifier, and the third identifier is appended.
The above object can also be fulfilled by a control program downloading method that is used by a digital broadcast receiving apparatus equipped with a storing device which stores in advance a control program made up of an update program used for download of a new control program and a non-update program used for processing other than the download of the new control program, the new control program being made up of a new update program and a new non-update program, the control program downloading method including: a judging step for repeatedly judging whether writing of the new update program has been completed, having a first controlling step operate until completion of the writing of the new update program, and having a second controlling step operate after the completion of the writing of the new update program; the first controlling step for executing the update program stored in the storing device to receive the new update program and write the received new update program over data stored in a first area in the storing device that is a part of an area where the non-update program has been stored, and, at the same time, receive a first non-update program which is a part of the new non-update program and write the received first non-update program over data stored in a second area, aside from the first area, that is a part of the area where the non-update program has been stored; and the second controlling step for executing the new update program written in the storing device to take over reception and writing of the first non-update program and , at the same time, receive a second non-update program which is a part of the new non-update program other than the first non-update program and write the received second non-update program over data stored in a third area in the storing device aside from the second area and an area where the new update program which is currently being used is stored.
With the above construction, while the new update program is being written into the first area, the first non-update program can be written into the second area. Accordingly, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus does not need to be equipped with a memory specifically used for rewriting the control program, and the time taken for the download processing can be shortened.
Here, when it is judged in the judging step that the writing of the new update program has been completed, the second controlling step may copy the new update program written in the first area to an area in the storing device where the update program has been stored, and execute the copied new update program.
With this construction, only after the new update program written in the first area is copied to an area in the storing device where the update program has been prestored, the second non-update program is written into the first area. Accordingly, even when a malfunction such as power failure occurs while, for example, the new update program is being copied, it can be ensured that at least one of the prestored update program and the new update program exists in the storing device in complete form.
As a result, the control program can be safely rewritten without affecting the control operation of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus.
Here, the new update program may be divided into divisions which are each accompanied by a first identifier and a serial number, and be received in units of divisions, wherein the first non-update program is divided into divisions which are each accompanied by a second identifier and a serial number, and is received in units of divisions, wherein the second non-update program is divided into divisions which are each accompanied by a third identifier and a serial number, and is received in units of divisions, wherein in the first controlling step, if the first identifier is appended to a received division of the new control program, the received division is judged as belonging to the new update program and a location where the received division is to be written is specified within the first area based on a serial number appended to the received division, while if the second identifier is appended to the received division, the received division is judged as belonging to the first non-update program and a location where the received division is to be written is specified within the second area based on a serial number appended to the received division, and wherein in the second controlling step, if the third identifier is appended to a received division of the new control program, the received division is judged as belonging to the second non-update program and a location where the received division is to be written is specified within the third area based on a serial number appended to the received division.
With this construction, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus refers to a serial number of each division to specify an address in the storing device in which the division is to be written. Since the download processing does not depend on the transmission sequence of each division, the reception of the new control program can be started from any division, with it being possible to save the cycle wait time.
The above object can also be fulfilled by a control program transmitting method for transmitting a control program of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus, the control program transmitting method including: an acquiring step for acquiring the control program which is made up of an update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for download of the control program and a non-update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for processing other than the download of the control program; a separating step for separating a first portion from the non-update program, combining the first portion with the update program to form a first control program whose data size is approximately 1/M of the control program, separating a second portion whose data size is equal to the first control program from the non-update program aside from the first portion, setting the second portion as a second control program, and dividing the non-update program aside from the first portion and the second portion by approximately (M-2) into third to Mth control programs, where M is an even number no less than 4; a dividing step for dividing each of the first control program, the second control program, and the third to Mth control programs into divisions of similar size; an identifier appending step for appending a first identifier and a second identifier respectively to each division of the first control program and each division of the second control program, evenly sorting the third to Mth control programs into a first program group and a second program group, and appending a third identifier and a fourth identifier respectively to each division of the first program group and each division of the second program group; and a transmitting step for repeatedly transmitting, when every division with any of the first identifier and the third identifier is grouped as a first set and every division with any of the second identifier and the fourth identifier is grouped as a second set, the first set and the second set alternately in units of divisions.
With this construction, the new control program is repeatedly transmitted according to the above sequence, so that the cycle wait time can be saved and the download processing can be accelerated.
The above object can also be fulfilled by a control program transmitting method for transmitting a control program of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus, the control program transmitting method including: an acquiring step for acquiring the control program made up of subprograms of different types; a dividing step for dividing each of the subprograms into divisions; an appending step for appending, to each of the divisions, a current identifier specifying a type of a subprogram which the division belongs to, priority information showing a priority subprogram which is given priority for being downloaded, and concurrency information showing a concurrency subprogram which can be downloaded concurrently with the priority subprogram; and a transmitting step for repeatedly transmitting, in sequence, every division to which the current identifier, the priority information, and the concurrency information is appended.
The above object can also be fulfilled by a control program downloading method that is used by a digital broadcast receiving apparatus to download a transmitted control program of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus, the control program being made up of subprograms of different types which are each divided into divisions and are repeatedly transmitted in a predetermined sequence in units of divisions, each of the divisions being accompanied by a current identifier specifying a type of a subprogram that the division belongs to, the control program downloading method including: a receiving step for receiving the subprograms in units of divisions; a judging step for judging, with reference to a current identifier appended to a received division, whether the received division belongs to a priority subprogram which is given priority for being downloaded, a concurrency subprogram which can be downloaded concurrently with the priority subprogram, or a subprogram which is neither the priority subprogram nor the concurrency subprogram; and a downloading step for downloading the received division which is judged as belonging to any of the priority subprogram and the concurrency subprogram.
With the above construction, the concurrency program can be downloaded without waiting for the download of the priority program to be completed. Accordingly, the download processing time can be reduced to a relatively short time.
The above object can also be fulfilled by a computer-readable storing medium storing a control program of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus, the control program being characterized in that: the control program is made up of subprograms of different types which are each divided into divisions; and each of the divisions is accompanied by a current identifier specifying a type of a subprogram which the division belongs to, priority information showing a priority subprogram that is given priority for being downloaded, and concurrency information showing a concurrency subprogram that can be downloaded concurrently with the priority subprogram.
With this construction, each division of the new control program is stored in the storing medium together with its current identifier, priority information, and concurrency information.
Accordingly, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus that receives this storing medium can download the concurrency subprogram concurrently with the priority subprogram, so that the download processing can be completed within a relatively short time.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that illustrate a specific embodiment of the invention. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic sketch of an MPEG2 digital broadcast transmitting apparatus;
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic sketch of an MPEG2 digital broadcast receiving apparatus;
FIG. 3 shows a section structure table;
FIG. 4 shows the control program transmission form in digital satellite broadcasting;
FIG. 5A shows a memory map of a flash memory 909 that stores a control program;
FIG. 5B shows a memory map of a DRAM 910 that stores a control program;
FIG. 6 shows the DCT format;
FIG. 7 shows the DLT format;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a conventional method of rewriting a control program;
FIG. 9 shows the general configuration of a program transmitting apparatus 100 of the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic sketch of generating DLTs from download codes;
FIG. 11 shows an example of the contents of a download header;
FIG. 12 shows the general hierarchical structure of DLTs generated by a dividing unit 104 and identifier adding unit 105;
FIG. 13 shows the general configuration of a program receiving apparatus 150 of the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 14 shows the storage contents of a control program storing unit 152 that stores a current control program;
FIG. 15A shows the state of a temporary storing unit 151 during non-download;
FIG. 15B shows the state of the temporary storing unit 151 during download;
FIG. 16 shows changes of the storage contents of the control program storing unit 152 during download;
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the overall download processing;
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the boot operation by a boot program;
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the download start operation;
FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the DLT receive operation;
FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the command execute operation;
FIG. 22 shows a memory map of the control program storing unit 152;
FIG. 23 is a timing chart for download processing;
FIG. 24 shows a memory map of the control program storing unit 152;
FIG. 25 is a timing chart for download processing;
FIG. 26 shows a memory map of the control program storing unit 152;
FIG. 27 is a timing chart for download processing;
FIG. 28 shows a memory map of the control program storing unit 152;
FIG. 29 is a timing chart for download processing;
FIG. 30 shows a memory map of the control program storing unit 152;
FIGS. 31A and 31B are timing charts for download processing;
FIG. 32 shows changes of the storage contents of the control program storing unit 152 during patch download;
FIG. 33 shows a memory map of the control program storing unit 152 during patch download;
FIG. 34 shows an example of the contents of a download header; and
FIG. 35 is a diagrammatic sketch of generating DLTs from download codes.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
The following is a description of the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the figures.
First Embodiment
Based on the fact that a large part of a control program is not used while the receiver is rewriting the control program, in the first embodiment of the present invention the transmitter sends a new download program and a new non-download program separately that compose a new control program, and the receiver uses a memory area storing a current non-download program as a work area for storing the new download program. By doing so, the increase of the memory capacity associated with additional program update functions can be limited.
Further, considering that the memory area which is the work area for storing the new download program is not fully used if the non-download program is larger than the download program, the transmitter divides the new non-download program into separate new non-download programs, and the receiver replaces a non-download program stored in an area which is not used as the work area with a new non-download program corresponding to the non-download program, without waiting for the rewriting of the download program to be completed. By doing so, the time taken for rewriting the control program can be saved.
<Program Transmitting Apparatus>
FIG. 9 shows the general configuration of a program transmitting apparatus 100 of the first embodiment of the present invention.
This program transmitting apparatus 100 includes a control program acquiring unit 101, a data size acquiring unit 102, a separating unit 103, a dividing unit 104, an identifier adding unit 105, and a transmitting unit 106.
The control program acquiring unit 101 acquires a new control program made up of a new download program and a new non-download program. A download program referred to here is a part of a control program used for control of download processing by a program receiving apparatus which will receive the control program, whereas a non-download program is the other part of the control program which is not used by the program receiving apparatus for the control of the download processing.
The data size acquiring unit 102 acquires a data size obtained by subtracting a data size of an area prepared in the program receiving apparatus for an increase of codes associated with download of the new non-download program, from a data size of the new download program.
The separating unit 103 separates the new non-download program into a first non-download program whose data size is equal to the data size acquired by the data size acquiring unit 102 and a second non-download program other than the first non-download program. Here, the data size of the first non-download program may be equivalent to the data size of the new download program, as long as the data size of the first non-download program is no less than the acquired data size. If there is no such area in the program receiving apparatus that has been prepared for the code increase, the data size acquiring unit 102 can be omitted.
The dividing unit 104 divides each of the new download program, the first non-download program, and the second non-download program into a plurality of divisions to which serial numbers for each of the programs (download program, first non-download program, and second non-download program) are appended. More specifically, first each program is divided into blocks of the same size to which download commands are respectively appended to generate scripts. Then each of these scripts is further divided into DLTs in each of which a download header is included in a model information field and a code data byte filed. Lastly serial group numbers are given to DLT groups generated from respective scripts, and serial sequence numbers are given to DLTs (sequences) generated from a script.
A download command mentioned here is to indicate the program receiving apparatus how to process a script. According to this download command, the program receiving apparatus executes download processing for the script. The download command is mainly made up of memory manipulation instructions that typically designate a source address and a destination address as operands. A copy command, for example, designates a copy destination address, a copy source address, and a copy size as operands. For other types of commands, they are not related to the main features of the present invention, so that their explanation has been omitted.
A script is made up of a block and a download command as described above. This block is the minimum unit of data transferred to the flash memory or else in the program receiving apparatus.
A download header is DLT identification information or the like that is necessary for download processing. By placing such necessary information in the beginning of a DLT, the processing of the program receiving apparatus on receiving the DLT is facilitated.
The identifier adding unit 105 appends a first identifier to each DLT of the groups generated from the new download program, and appends a second identifier to each DLT of the groups generated from the first and second non-download programs. Alternatively, the identifier adding unit 105 may append a third identifier to each DLT of the groups generated from the new download program, a fourth identifier to each DLT of the groups generated from the first non-download program, and a fifth identifier to each DLT of the groups generated from the second non-download program. The first to fifth identifiers each include a current ID which will be used by the program receiving apparatus to specify a program type for a DLT. In this embodiment, a download ID for designating a download sequence in the program receiving apparatus is added to each DLT, too.
The transmitting unit 106 repeatedly sends the generated DLTs with respective identifiers in a predetermined order.
Thus, program codes which are to be downloaded (hereinafter "download codes") are transmitted from the program transmitting apparatus 100 together with necessary information, in units of DLTs.
In the DLT format, a model information field (fixed to 145 bytes) and a code data byte field (fixed to 2 Kbytes) follow the section header (see "Download Transmission Standards" in ARIB STD-B16 chapter 4 for more details). For efficient download, in the present embodiment the both fields which are 2193 bytes long in total are used for download codes.
FIG. 10 shows how DLTs are created from download codes.
The generation of DLTs is performed by the dividing unit 104 and identifier adding unit 105 as follows.
(1) First, in consideration of a capacity of a reception memory and a sector structure of a flash memory in the program receiving apparatus, download codes (2 Mbytes in this embodiment) are divided into blocks (each being 128 Kbytes long in this embodiment).
(2) A download command is appended to each block to create a script.
(3) The script is then is divided into parts. The parts are written respectively into DLTs, with a download header being included in the model information field of each of the DLTs. Each of the DLTs generated as a result includes a section header, a download header (assigned to a part of the model information field), a part of the script (assigned to the remaining part of the model information field and the code data byte field), and a CRC32, in this order.
FIG. 11 shows an example of the contents of a download header. In the following description, a simple expression "program" indicates any of a download program and a non-download program.
Note that every DLT is given a download header of the same format.
In the figure, begin_version and end_version respectively specify the oldest and the latest of software versions which are subjected to download. Only when a software version of the program receiving apparatus is within the range from begin_version to end_version, the program receiving apparatus judges that the DLT is to be downloaded.
New_version specifies a new software version to be set after download. Once the download of the new control program has finished, the software version of the program receiving apparatus is changed to the version shown by new_version.
Exmodel_id is used for expanding model_id of the DLT and limits models which are subjected to download. Only if exmodel_id and an extension model ID of the program receiving apparatus match, the program receiving apparatus judges that the DLT is to be downloaded.
Exmodel_map is a bitmap for limiting apparatus types that are subjected to download. If a bit corresponding to the type of the program receiving apparatus is on, the program receiving apparatus judges that the DLT is to be downloaded.
Current_id is an identifier showing a type of a present program which the DLT belongs to.
Sub_id shows current_id of a program which can be downloaded concurrently with the present program.
Start_id shows current_id of a program which is to be initially downloaded.
Start_subid shows current_id of a program which can be downloaded concurrently with the program shown by start_id.
Next_id shows current_id of a program which is to be downloaded after the present program. In this embodiment, next_id of a program to be downloaded last is set at "0xffff".
Next_subid shows current_id of a program which can be downloaded concurrently with the program shown by next_id.
The most significant bit (MSB) of each of the above identifiers is used for distinguishing a download program from a non-download program. If the MSB of a 2-byte identifier is "1", a download program is indicated, while if the MSB is "0", a non-download program is indicated.
Grp_no is a group number of a group which the DLT belongs to. Here, serial group numbers starting from 0 have been given to DLT groups that have identical current_id.
Last_grpno is a group number of the last DLT group among DLT groups that have the same current_id as the DLT and is used to judge whether all DLT groups with the same current_id as the DLT have been downloaded. The number of groups for one program is no more than 32 in the present example, so that last_grpno<32 and 0.ltoreq.grp no.ltoreq.last_grpno.
Seq_no is a sequence number of the DLT. Here, serial sequence numbers starting from 0 have been given to DLTs that have identical current_id and grp_no.
Last_seqno is a sequence number of the last sequence (DLT) among DLTs that have the same current_id and grp_id as the DLT and is used to judge whether all DLTs with the same current_id and grp_id as the DLT have been downloaded. The number of sequences for one group is no more than 256 in this example, so that last_seqno<256 and 0.ltoreq.seq_no.ltoreq.last_seqno.
Dlt_total shows the total number of valid DLTs in one cycle and is used for computing the progress during reception of DLTs.
Attr_flag is a set of flags showing an attribute of the DLT, where a type of processing is determined depending on a value of each bit. Suppose bit0 is used for judging whether CRC (cyclic redundancy check) is to be executed. If CRC is to be executed (bit0 showing "1"), a 6-bit CRC is added to 26-bit data.
Offset shows the number of bytes between the end of the download header and the beginning of the written script.
The generation of DLTs by the dividing unit 104 and identifier adding unit 105 is performed separately for the download program, the first non-download program, and the second non-download program.
The hierarchical structure of DLTs generated in the above way is as follows.
Since each program made up of download codes is larger than a DLT, it is impossible to write all of the download codes within one DLT. Accordingly, DLTs generated from the download and non-download programs are hierarchically structured.
FIG. 12 shows the general hierarchical structure of such DLTs generated by the dividing unit 104 and identifier adding unit 105.
As illustrated, one cycle of DLTs which are repeatedly transmitted is specified by download IDs. The number of groups that have the same download ID is 32 at the maximum, with serial group numbers being assigned to such groups. Further, the number of sequences that have the same group number is 256 at the maximum, with serial sequence numbers being assigned to such sequences.
A download ID is used for designating a download sequence in the program receiving apparatus and is made up of current_id, sub_id, next_id, start_id, next_subid, and start_subid. Among these, next_subid and start_subid are used for realizing prompt download processing. Next_subid of a present DLT is the same as sub_id in a DLT whose current_id is identical to next_id of the present DLT. Similarly, start_subid of the present DLT is the same as sub_id in a DLT whose current_id is identical to start_id of the present DLT. For the sake of convenience, therefore, the following explanation mainly uses current_id, sub_id, next_id, and start_id, instead of next_subid and start_subid.
Current_id is an identifier corresponding to a present program which is any of the download program, the first non-download program, and the second non-download program, indicating that DLTs with the same current_id have been generated from the same program.
Sub_id shows current_id of a program which can be downloaded during download of the present program in the program receiving apparatus.
Next_id shows current_id of a program that is to be downloaded following the present program in the program receiving apparatus.
Start_id shows current_id of a program that is to be initially downloaded in the program receiving apparatus.
In this embodiment, a first download ID is made up of "current_id=1, sub_id=3, next_id=2, start_id=1", a second download ID is made up of "current_id=2, sub_id=3, next_id=3, start_id=1", and a third download ID is made up of "current_id=3, sub_id=null (0xffff), next .sub.13 id=null (0xffff), start_id=1" (it is assumed in the present explanation that there is no download IDs following the third download ID, although this is not the case in FIG. 12 which shows more download IDs). With these combinations, it is specified that the download program is to be initially downloaded during which the second non-download program can be also downloaded, and the completion of downloading the download program is followed by download of the first non-download program during which the second non-download program can also be downloaded.
As for the predetermined order according to which the transmitting unit 106 transmits DLTS over and over again, one example is first transmitting all DLTs of the download program, then some of DLTS of the first non-download program, then all DLTs of the second non-download program, and lastly the rest of the DLTs of the first non-download program. As a result of sending DLTs according to such an order, the time taken for the download processing in the program receiving apparatus can be lessened.
Thus, the program transmitting apparatus 100 of the first embodiment of the present invention divides each of the new download program and the new non-download program that compose the new control program into DLTs to which identifiers are appended and repeatedly sends DLTs of the new download program and new non-download program.
Here, the program transmitting apparatus 100 may separate the non-download program into the first non-download program that cannot be downloaded until the download of the new download program ends and the second non-download program that can be downloaded before the download of the new download program ends, divide each of the first and second non-download programs into DLTs to which identifiers are appended, and repeatedly send DLTs of the new download program, first non-download program, and second non-download program in the predetermined order.
<Program Receiving Apparatus>
FIG. 13 shows the general configuration of a program receiving apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention.
This program receiving apparatus 150 includes a temporary storing unit 151, a control program storing unit 152, a receiving unit 153, a program judging unit 154, a download judging unit 155, a first downloading unit 156, a second downloading unit 157, and a status holding unit 158.
The temporary storing unit 151 is a general-purpose memory such as a DRAM and is used as a reception buffer. DLTs of each script are sequentially stored in this temporary storing unit 151.
The control program storing unit 152 is a nonvolatile rewritable memory such as a flash memory and prestores a current control program that is made up of a download program for controlling download processing and a non-download program for controlling processing other than the download processing.
The receiving unit 153 includes a tuner, a demodulator, and a demultiplexer and receives a new control program from the program transmitting apparatus 100 in units of DLTs to which the first and second identifiers or the third to fifth identifiers have been appended.
The program judging unit 154 is a TD or the like. The program judging unit 154 judges whether a received DLT of the new control program belongs to a new download program or a new non-download program, depending on which of the first and second identifiers is appended to the DLT. The program judging unit 154 may instead judge whether the received DLT belongs to the new download program, a first non-download program, or a second non-download program, depending on which of the third, fourth, and fifth identifiers is appended to the DLT.
The download judging unit 155 is implemented, for example, via a download program executed by a CPU and judges whether download of the new download program has been completed.
The first downloading unit 156 is implemented, for example, via the current download program executed by the CPU. Until the download judging unit 155 judges that the new download program has been completely downloaded, in accordance with the current download program stored in the control program storing unit 152, the first downloading unit 156 sequentially stores DLTs which belong to the new download program into the temporary storing unit 151 to form at least one script and transfers each of the scripts from the temporary storing unit 151 to an area (hereinafter "first area") in the control program storing unit 152 where a current first non-download program of the current non-download program has been stored, thereby writing the new download program over a part of the current non-download program.
At the same time, the first downloading unit 156 may sequentially store DLTs belonging to the new second non-download program into the temporary storing unit 151 to form at least one script, and transfer each of the scripts from the temporary storing unit 151 to an area (hereinafter "second area") in the control program storing unit 152 where a current second non-download program of the current non-download program has been stored, thereby writing a part of the new non-download program over a part of the current non-download program.
The second downloading unit 157 is implemented, for example, via a boot program and the new download program executed by the CPU. When the download judging unit 155 judges that the new download program has been completely downloaded, the second downloading unit 157 copies the new download program written in the first area to an area (hereinafter "third area") where the current download program has been stored, thereby writing the new download program over the current download program. The second downloading unit 157 then commences the control of the new download program written in the third area. The above procedure is executed by the boot program activated by a reboot instruction. Here, it is also possible to commence the control of the new download program in the first area without copying it to the third area.
Next, under the control of the new download program, the second downloading unit 157 sequentially stores DLTs belonging to the new non-download program into the temporary storing unit 151 to form at least one script and transfers each of the scripts from the temporary storing unit 151 to an area (hereinafter "unused area") in the control program storing unit 152 other than the area where the new download program which is being used is stored. By doing so, the second downloading unit 157 writes a part of the new non-download program over a part of the current control program which is not being used for the present control.
Also, if the first downloading unit 156 was writing the part of the new second non-download program (new second non-download program) over the part of the current non-download program (current second non-download program), the second downloading unit 157 takes over that download processing of the first downloading unit 156 under the control of the new download program. Simultaneously, the second downloading unit 157 sequentially stores DLTs belonging to the new first non-download program into the temporary storing unit 151 to form at least one script and transfers each of the scripts from the temporary storing unit 151 to an unused area (to the first area if the new download program was copied from the first area to the third area, or to the third area if the new download program was activated in the first area without being copied to the third area), thereby writing a part of the new non-download program over a part of the control program which is not being used for the present control.
The status holding unit 158 is a rewritable memory, such as an EEPROM, that can hold its storage contents even when power is off. The status holding unit 158 holds a status value that shows one out of: status 1 from the start of downloading the new control program until the complete transfer of the new download program to the control program storing unit 152; status 2 from the complete transfer of the new download program to the control program storing unit 152 until the start of the control of the new download program; status 3 from the start of the control of the new download program until the completion of downloading the new control program; and normal status where download processing is not being performed. Here, status values representing statuses 1.about.3 are respectively "1", "2", and "3", while a status value representing normal status is "0".
The status holding unit 158 also holds an execution ID, a concurrency ID, an update flag, new program copy information, transmission information, and a management table.
The execution ID shows current_id of a program that should be downloaded at present.
The concurrency ID shows current_id of a program which can be downloaded concurrently with the program specified by the execution ID.
When the download processing begins, start_id and start_subid of a given DLT are stored in the status holding unit 158 respectively as the execution ID and the concurrency ID, and DLTs of a program specified by any of the execution ID and the concurrency ID are subjected to reception. Once a program specified by the execution ID has completely been processed, the execution ID and the concurrency ID in the status holding unit 158 are replaced respectively with next_id and next_subid of a DLT of that program. If next_id of the DLT is "0xffff", then it is judged that there are no more programs to be received.
The update flag is a flag showing whether the current control program is being updated. In this embodiment, the flag shows "1" during the update. Otherwise, the flag shows "0".
The new program copy information includes new program presence information showing whether the new download program has been completely written in a non-download program area (area where the current non-download program was stored) in the control program storing unit 152, and information showing a copy destination address, copy source address, and copy size of the new download program. In the present example, the new program presence information shows "1" if the whole new download program has been written in the non-download program area. Otherwise, the new program presence information shows "0". Also, the copy source address shows the start address at which the new download program is written in the non-download program area, the copy destination address shows the start address of a download program area (area where the current download program has been stored), and the copy size shows the data size of the new download program.
The transmission information is necessary for switching the tuner according to a frequency and a polarization plane when receiving download codes.
The management table is used to manage whether download codes of each group have been transferred to the control program storing unit 152. Also, when in each program a group is first transferred, a download header of that group is registered in the management table.
Thus, the program receiving apparatus 150 of the first embodiment of the present invention is equipped with storage means, such as a flash memory, that has the download program area and the non-download program area. With this structure, the program receiving apparatus 150 receives the new control program in units of DLTs and refers to identifiers accompanying the received DLTs to write the new download program into a part of the non-download program area. When the new download program has been fully written, the new download program is transferred from the non-download program area to the download program area for updating the current download program, and then the new non-download program is written into the non-download program area.
Here, the non-download program area may further be divided into a first non-download program area and a second non-download program area, wherein the new second non-download program is written into the second non-download program area while the new download program is written into the first non-download program area.
<Program Code Downloading Method>
Program codes can be grouped under a boot program, a download program, or a non-download program.
In general, the boot program is initially used when activating the CPU and cannot be rewritten by download. The boot program is also used in this embodiment when conditions for starting download processing are met, when the download program is updated, and when the download processing is completed.
The download program is made up of libraries and drivers which are necessary for download processing.
The non-download program is made up of libraries, such as a font library, and drivers which are not related to the download processing.
FIG. 14 shows the storage state of the control program storing unit 152 that stores the current control program.
As shown in the figure, the control program storing unit 152 is divided into a boot program area, a download program area, and a non-download program area, with a clearance (unassigned area) being given to each of the download program area and the non-download program area as the memory capacity allows, in preparation for increases of the data size of each program after update. Given that patching is performed in units of modules, each program area may further be divided into module areas corresponding to the modules with a clearance being given to each module area, in preparation for increases of the data size of each module after update.
FIG. 15A shows the state of the temporary storing unit 151 when download is not being performed, whereas FIG. 15B shows the state of the temporary storing unit 151 when the download is being performed.
FIG. 16 shows changes of the storage contents of the control program storing unit 152 during the download processing.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the download processing.
The download processing is described below with reference to FIGS. 15.about.17.
(1) The status value held in the status holding unit 158 shows "0" under normal status (top left of FIG. 16). Once predetermined conditions for starting the download are met, the download processing is commenced (S1).
(2) Once the download processing has started, the update flag held in the status holding unit 158 is set at "1", and the status value is changed to "1" indicating status 1 (top right of FIG. 16) (S2).
(3) Data of a new download program is read into the temporary storing unit 151 (S3).
(4) Step S3 is repeated until at least one script of the new download program is read (S4).
(5) When at least one script of the new download program has been read, the read new download program is written from the temporary storing unit 151 into the non-download program area in the control program storing unit 152 in units of scripts (S5).
(6) Steps S3.about.S5 are repeated until the new download program is completely written in the non-download program area in the control program storing unit 152 (S6).
(7) Once the new download program has been completely written, the status value is changed to "2" indicating status 2 (bottom right of FIG. 16) (S7).
(8) Reboot is executed. Here, according to the boot program the new download program written in the non-download program area in steps S3.about.S6 is copied to the download program area (S8).
(9) The status value is changed to "3" indicating status 3 (bottom left of FIG. 16) (S9).
(10) Data of a new non-download program is read into the temporary storing unit 151 (S10).
(11) Step S10 is repeated until at least one script of the new non-download program is read (S11).
(12) Once at least one script of the new non-download program has been read, the read new non-download program is written from the temporary storing unit 151 into the non-download program area in the control program storing unit 152 in units of scripts (S12).
(13) Step S10.about.S12 are repeated until the new non-download program is completely written in the non-download program area in the control program storing unit 152 (S13).
(14) When the new non-download program has been fully written, the update flag in the status holding unit 158 is changed to "0" indicating that update is not being performed, and the status value is changed to "0" indicating normal status (top left of FIG. 16) (S14).
Note here that an area (shown in the lower half of FIG. 15B, the area being hereafter called "buffer region") in the temporary storing unit 151 where the new download program is stored in step S3 and the new non-download program is stored in step S10 is a region (non-DL region in FIG. 15A) which is used by the non-download program at normal status. In doing so, the region storing the non-download program which does not operate during the download can be effectively used. Also, a management table is included at the head of the buffer region to manage the reception state of sequences for each group.
Also, in step S4 or S11, the condition for repeating step S3 or S10 may not be that at least one script of the program is read but that the buffer region becomes full.
The number of scripts simultaneously transferred from the temporary storing unit 151 to the control program storing unit 152 in step S5 or S12 depends on the capacity of the buffer region. If the capacity of the buffer region is 512 Kbytes and the data size of a script is 128 Kbytes, then at most 4 scripts can be written into the control program storing unit 152 at one time.
Also, the reception may not necessarily be started from the new download program. For example, it is possible in step S3 to commence reading a part of the new non-download program corresponding to the non-download area aside from the area into which the new download program is written in step S5.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the boot operation by the boot program.
This boot operation is executed as follows.
(1) With reference to the new program presence information held in the status holding unit 158, judge whether step S8 in FIG. 17 has to be performed, that is, whether the new download program written in the non-download program area needs to be copied to the download program area (S101).
(2) When the new download program needs to be copied, execute step S8 according to the copy destination address, copy source address, and copy size included in the new program copy information in the status holding unit 158 (S102).
(3) With reference to the update flag in the status holding unit 158, judge whether update processing is under way (S103).
(4) If the update processing is not being performed, it means that the program receiving apparatus 150 is in normal status. At this point the download start operation shown in FIG. 19 is executed (S104).
(5) If the update processing is under way, on the other hand, switch the tuner based on the transmission information held in the status holding unit 158 (S105).
(6) Receive aNIT to confirm whether the program receiving apparatus 150 is linked to a proper network (S106).
(7) Receive DCTs to confirm whether download codes which are to be downloaded next are present based on maker_id, model_id, and version_id of each of the received DCTs (S107).
(8) Secure the buffer region for receiving DLTs (lower half of FIG. 15B) (S108).
(9) Execute the DLT receive operation shown in FIG. 20 (S109).
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the download start operation.
This download start operation is performed as follows.
(1) Receive DCTs sent at regular time intervals during normal status (S201).
(2) Judge whether download codes to be downloaded are present based on maker_id, model_id, and version_id of each received DCT (S202). If there are no such download codes, the download processing is not possible, so that the download start operation is terminated (RETURN).
(3) If there are download codes to be downloaded, display a message notifying the user of the presence of the download codes on a monitor or the like and wait for an instruction from the user (S203).
(4) On receiving a download instruction from the user, change the modulated wave to be received by the receiving unit 153 to a modulated wave of a frequency specified by transport_stream_id included in a DCT with which it is judged that the download codes exist (S204).
(5) Receive an ECM and extract key information ( |
