Method and device for remote maintenance

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD [Detailed description of the invention]

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention relates to a remote maintenance method and a remote maintenance device that remotely upgrades software, replaces or adds software to a device connected to a network by wireless or wired digital broadcasting.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, in a network by wireless or wired digital broadcasting, a device that receives and processes transferred digital data processes the above data by software corresponding to the dedicated hardware of the device. An example of such a conventional network is a broadcasting system using a broadcasting satellite. In the broadcasting system, all broadcasting stations produce and transmit programs by a common broadcasting system such as MPEG (video transmission system, video coding system, etc.), and the receiving side supports the common broadcasting system. Broadcasts are received and played back using the dedicated hardware of the receiving device. On the other hand, due to the improvement in computer performance, video signal processing, which could only be processed by dedicated hardware in the past, can now be realized by software processing using general-purpose hardware. That is, even a receiving device that does not have dedicated hardware can decode a plurality of broadcasting data having different broadcasting methods by loading a software program for decoding each broadcasting data into the general-purpose hardware of the receiving device. This will enable broadcasting in which various broadcasting methods are mixed, such as data broadcasting in a form different from conventional video / audio broadcasting.

【0003】

Therefore, it is expected that the demand for a program download system that downloads a software program executed by a receiving device by wireless or wired digital broadcasting will increase.

【0004】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, the software program must correspond to the hardware of the terminal that receives it. That is, if a different software program is inserted in the place where the software program corresponding to the chip must be inserted in the terminal, the terminal will not work. Therefore, a software program corresponding to the hardware of the terminal cannot be created unless the detailed hardware information of the terminal is completely grasped. However, there are terminals having various specifications in the market, and it is difficult to transmit a software program corresponding to the hardware of all the terminals because the transmission capacity is large.

【0005】

Therefore, a method is envisioned in which the software program is divided into module-based programs and transmitted, and the terminal stores only the programs that can be executed by the hardware. According to this, it is possible to upgrade by replacing or adding some programs without storing the entire software program. Therefore, it goes without saying that information on the hardware of the terminal is required for this version upgrade, but further information on the current software version of the terminal is required.

【0006】

As described above, in order to remotely and reliably upgrade the software of the terminal by downloading the program, it is an important problem to ensure the consistency between the hardware of the terminal and the software to be stored.

【0007】

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and enables an upgrade of software that guarantees the consistency of software and hardware versions in a wireless or wired network capable of digital data transfer. It is an object of the present invention to provide a remote maintenance method and a remote maintenance device.

【0008】

[Means for solving problems]

In order to solve the above problems, the remote maintenance method according to the present invention (claim 1) transfers a program, which is a collection of functions having a certain processing purpose, from the transmitting side by wireless or wired digital broadcasting. In a remote maintenance method that upgrades software that consists of a group of programs consisting of the program on the receiving side by changing or adding the program, the version of the hardware that can receive the program data from the transmitting side is selected. The model code shown, the version information indicating the software version corresponding to the model code, the program name which is the name of the above program to be replaced or added in the software version, and the version to the software version corresponding to the model code. The download information including the program data packet identifier (PID) in which the program code required for uploading is stored, and the program data including the program code, program name, and packet identifier (PID) of the above program are stored. It is transferred as a packet, and on the receiving side, the model code indicating the hardware version of the receiving side and the version information indicating the software version corresponding to the model code are input to the model code described in the received download information and the version information. When the two versions do not match with the version information and the version has not been upgraded, a data packet to which the program data required for the version upgrade is transferred is acquired based on the PID described in the above download information. The version is upgraded by storing it.

【0009】

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the remote maintenance method according to the first aspect, the program data further includes arrangement information on the receiving side of the function included in the program, and the receiving side includes the information. The transferred program is replaced or added based on the arrangement information.

【0010】

Further, in the present invention (claim 3), in the remote maintenance method according to claim 1, the receiving side confirms whether or not a transmission error has occurred when upgrading the version, and confirms the confirmation result. This is to notify the sender.

【0011】

Further, in the remote maintenance method according to claim 1, the present invention (claim 4) transfers program data including a program code which is a test program from the transmitting side, and the receiving side transfers the program data at the time of version upgrade. The test program is executed, and the sender is notified of the presence or absence of an execution error.

【0012】

Further, the present invention (claim 5) is a group of programs composed of a program on the receiving side by transferring a program which is a collection of functions having a certain processing purpose from the transmitting side by wireless or wired digital broadcasting. In the remote maintenance method that upgrades the software to be configured by changing or adding the program, a model code indicating the version of hardware that can receive the program data from the transmitting side, and software corresponding to the model code. The version information indicating the version of the software, the program name which is the name of the above program to be replaced or added in the software version, and the program code necessary for upgrading to the software version corresponding to the model code are stored. The download information including the identifier (PID) of the program data packet is transferred as a data packet, and the receiving side indicates the model code indicating the hardware version of the receiving side and the software version corresponding to the model code. The version information is compared with the above model code and the above version information described in the above download information to confirm whether or not the software version upgrade has been completed, and the result of the confirmation is notified to the above sender. Is.

【0013】

Further, the present invention (claim 6) is a group of programs composed of a program on the receiving side by transferring a program which is a collection of functions having a certain processing purpose from the transmitting side by wireless or wired digital broadcasting. In a remote maintenance method that upgrades the software to be configured by changing or adding the program, the sender provides all service information indicating the service names of all services provided by the sender, and the program data. Transfer the model code indicating the version of the hardware that can be received, the version information indicating the version of the software corresponding to the model code, and the service program information describing the service name of the service that can be executed for each version of the software. On the receiving side, the model code indicating the hardware version of the receiving side and the version information indicating the software version corresponding to the model code are compared with the model code and the version information described in the service program information. Then, when the current software version or the compared version does not match in all the above service information and the version is not upgraded, the service that can be executed is marked by the upgraded version.

【0014】

Further, the present invention (claim 7) is a group of programs composed of a program on the receiving side by transferring a program which is a collection of functions having a certain processing purpose from the transmitting side by wireless or wired digital broadcasting. In a remote maintenance method that upgrades the constituent software by changing or adding the program, the service name of all services provided by the sender and the execution of the service requested by each service are performed from the sender. All service information indicating service execution restrictions indicating the level, model code indicating the version of hardware that can receive the above program, version information indicating the software version corresponding to the model code, and each software version Transfer the service program information that describes the service name of the service that can be executed and the service execution restrictions that indicate the execution level of the above service that is possible in the version of the software, and on the receiving side, the hardware version of the receiving side. The model code indicating the above and the version information indicating the software version corresponding to the model code are compared with the above model code and the above version information of the above service program information, and among the above service program information, all the above service information If the current software version or the compared version does not match and the version has not been upgraded, information about the services that can be executed is stored in the current and upgraded versions.

【0015】

Further, the present invention (claim 8) is a group of programs composed of a program on the receiving side by transferring a program which is a collection of functions having a certain processing purpose from the transmitting side by wireless or wired digital broadcasting. A model code that is a device that executes a remote maintenance method that upgrades the software to be configured by changing or adding the program, and indicates the version of the hardware that can receive the program transferred from the transmitting side. , Version information indicating the software version corresponding to the model code, the program name which is the name of the above program to be replaced or added in the software version, and the program code necessary for upgrading to the version are stored. Program data A program receiver that receives download information including the packet identifier (PID), the program code of the above program, the program name, and program data including the packet identifier (PID), and the hardware of the own device. It is stored in the hardware information storage unit that stores the model code indicating the version, the software information storage unit that stores the version information indicating the current software version of the own device, and the hardware information storage unit and the software information storage unit, respectively. Compare the above model code and the above version information with the model code and the above version information described in the download information, check whether the version has been upgraded, perform program reception control, and the compared versions match. When the version is not upgraded, the loader unit that stores the program code of the program data required for the version upgrade in the program storage unit and controls the program storage based on the PID described in the above download information, and the above It is provided with a program storage unit that stores the program code required for the version upgrade from the program data, and a program execution unit that executes the program stored in the program storage unit.

【0016】

Further, according to the present invention (claim 9), a program that is a collection of functions having a certain processing purpose is transferred from the transmitting side by wireless or wired digital broadcasting, and the receiving side is composed of the program. A model used in a remote maintenance method that upgrades the software composed of a group by changing or adding the program, and indicates the version of the hardware that can receive the program transferred from the transmitting side. The code, version information indicating the software version corresponding to the model code, the program name which is the name of the above program to be replaced or added in the software version, and the program code necessary for upgrading to the version are stored. Download information including the program data packet identifier (PID), the program code of the above program, the program name, the packet identifier (PID),And a program receiver that receives program data including placement information on the receiving side of the function included in the program, a hardware information storage unit that stores the model code indicating the hardware version of the own device, and the own device. The software information storage unit that stores the version information indicating the current software version, the model code and the version information stored in the hardware information storage unit and the software information storage unit, respectively, are described in the download information. Compare with the model code and the above version information, check whether the version has been upgraded, perform program reception control, and when the compared versions do not match and the version has not been upgraded, it is described in the above download information. Based on the PID and placement information, the loader unit that stores the program code of the program data required for version upgrade in the program storage unit and controls the program storage, and stores the program code required for the above version upgrade from the above program data. It includes a program storage unit and a program execution unit that executes a program stored in the program storage unit.

【0017】

Further, according to the present invention (claim 10), in the remote maintenance device according to claim 9, the loader unit confirms whether or not a transmission error has occurred at the time of version upgrade, and confirms the confirmation result. It is further provided with a communication unit that notifies the transmitting side from the following communication unit and transmits the confirmation result to the transmitting side.

【0018】

Further, according to the present invention (claim 11), in the remote maintenance device according to claim 9, the program receiving unit receives the program data having the program code of the test program transferred from the transmitting side. At the time of the program storage control, the loader unit notifies the transmitting side of the presence or absence of an execution error due to the execution of the test program in the program execution unit, and transmits the presence or absence of the execution error due to the execution of the test program from the following communication unit. It is equipped with a communication unit that transmits to the side.

【0019】

Further, according to the present invention (claim 12), a program that is a collection of functions having a certain processing purpose is transferred from the transmitting side by wireless or wired digital broadcasting, and the receiving side is composed of the program. A model used in a remote maintenance method that upgrades software composed of a group by changing or adding the program, and indicates the version of hardware that can receive the program transferred from the transmitting side. The code, version information indicating the software version corresponding to the model code, the program name which is the name of the above program to be replaced or added in the software version, and the program code necessary for upgrading to the version are stored. The program receiver that receives download information including the program data packet identifier (PID), the hardware information storage that stores the model code that indicates the hardware version of the own device, and the current software version of the own device. The software information storage unit that stores the indicated version information, the model code and the version information stored in the hardware information storage unit and the software information storage unit, respectively, are combined with the model code and the version information of the download information. When it is confirmed whether or not the version has been upgraded, the loader unit that notifies the transmission side of the confirmed result from the communication unit below and the loader unit that confirms whether or not the version has been upgraded and controls the program reception. A communication unit that notifies the transmitting side of the confirmed result together with the model code and the version information of the own device, a program storage unit that stores the program, and a program that executes the program stored in the program storage unit. It is equipped with an execution unit.

【0020】

Further, according to the present invention (claim 13), a program that is a collection of functions having a certain processing purpose is transferred from the transmitting side by wireless or wired digital broadcasting, and the receiving side is composed of the program. A device used in a remote maintenance method for upgrading software composed of a group by changing or adding the program, and the service name of all services provided by the transmitting side transferred from the transmitting side. All the service information shown, the model code indicating the version of the hardware that can receive the above program, the version information indicating the version of the software corresponding to the model code, and the service name of the service that can be executed for each version of the software are described. A program receiver that receives the service program information, a hardware information storage unit that stores the model code that indicates the hardware version of the own device, and software information storage that stores version information that indicates the current software version of the own device. The above model code and the above version information stored in the unit, the hardware information storage unit, and the software information storage unit, respectively, are compared with the model code and the version information of the service program information, and all the service information is described. In, if the current software version or the compared version does not match and the version has not been upgraded, mark the executable service in the upgraded version and store all the marked service information in the service information. A loader unit to be stored in the unit, a service information storage unit to store all the marked service information, a program storage unit to store the program, a program stored in the program storage unit to be executed, and the service information storage to be performed. It includes a program execution unit that creates a screen image from the information stored in the unit, and a playback unit that displays the screen image created by the program execution unit.

【0021】

Further, according to the present invention (claim 14), a program that is a collection of functions having a certain processing purpose is transferred from the transmitting side by wireless or wired digital broadcasting, and the receiving side is composed of the program. A device used in a remote maintenance method for upgrading software composed of a group by changing or adding the program, and is a service of all services provided by the transmitting side transferred from the transmitting side. All service information indicating the name and service execution restrictions indicating the execution level of the service required by each service, the model code indicating the version of the hardware that can receive the above program, and the software version corresponding to the model code. A program that receives version information indicating the version information, the service name of the service that can be executed for each version of the software, and the service program information that describes the service execution restrictions indicating the execution level of the above service that is possible for the software version. A receiver, a hardware information storage unit that stores a model code indicating the hardware version of the own device, a software information storage unit that stores version information indicating the current software version of the own device, and the above hardware information storage unit. And the above model code and the above version information stored in the software information storage unit are compared with the above model code and the above version information of the above service program information, and among the above service program information, all the above service information, And when the current software version or the compared version does not match and the version has not been upgraded, a loader that stores information about the services that can be executed in the current and upgraded versions in the service information storage unit. Of the above service program information, all the above service information, and the current software version, or if the version has not been upgraded, the current,And in the upgraded version, a service information storage unit that stores information about executable services, a program storage unit that stores the above program, and a program stored in the program storage unit are executed, and the above service information. It includes a program execution unit that creates a screen or audio image from the information stored in the storage unit, and a playback unit that shows the screen or audio image created by the program execution unit.

【0022】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configurations of the remote maintenance devices used in the first to fourth embodiments of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes a front end portion, which consists of a tuner, a demodulator, and an error corrector. 11a is a tuner, which synchronizes with the frequency of the physical channel according to the channel selection, and extracts a signal modulated by, for example, the QPSK (Quadrature Phase Shift Keying) method. 11b is a demodulator, MPEG (Moving Picture Experts) from QPSK signal Group) Demodulates to a transport stream. 11c is an error corrector, which detects whether there is a signal error in the demodulated stream in hardware. Reference numeral 12 denotes a TS decoder, which decodes the MPEG transport stream extracted by the front end unit 11 and extracts each data packet including video data, program information, download information, and program data of the channel selected. Reference numeral 13 denotes a loader unit, which performs data packet storage control, program storage control, and service program information storage control. Reference numeral 14 denotes a program information temporary storage unit, which temporarily stores the decoded download information and program data. Reference numeral 15 denotes a program storage information storage unit, which is composed of a hardware information storage unit and a software information storage unit. 16 is a hardware information storage unit, which stores hardware version information. Reference numeral 17 denotes a software information storage unit, which stores software version information currently stored. Reference numeral 18 denotes a program storage unit, which stores a predetermined program code from the program data stored in the program information temporary storage unit 14. Reference numeral 19 denotes a program execution unit, which executes the program stored in the program storage unit 18. Reference numeral 20 denotes a communication unit, which communicates with the transmitting side by connecting a modem to a telephone line or the like. Reference numeral 21 denotes a service program information storage unit, which stores the decoded service program information. Reference numeral 22 denotes an input unit, which is composed of a remote controller and a remote controller receiver, receives an infrared signal from the user's remote controller input, converts the remote controller input into an input event, and inputs the remote controller input to the program execution unit 19. 23 is an AV decoder, and the menu created by the program execution unit 19, And the video stream and audio stream according to the MPEG standard sent from the TS decoder 12 are decoded, the video stream is converted to an analog signal such as NTSC (National Television System Committee) standard, and the audio stream is converted to an analog signal by DAC (Digital Audio Converter). Convert and output to the playback section. Reference numeral 24 denotes a playback unit, which is a TV monitor that reproduces analog signals of video and audio output from the AV decoder 23 and displays a menu created by the program execution unit 19.

【0023】

Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of software executed by the remote maintenance device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the software is composed of software transmitted from the transmitting side by dividing it into units called modules A, which are a collection of functions that achieve a certain process. That is, at the time of downloading, only the new version is transmitted for each module A, and the module A is replaced in the program storage unit 18 (see FIG. 1) to upgrade the software. Here, in the present invention, the software part of the module unit is called a program, and each program is given a program name such as a drawing library, a kernel, and an MPEG driver.

【0024】

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of program data transmitted from the transmitting side by satellite broadcasting radio waves in the remote maintenance method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 30 is a packet header part, and the packet ID of the program data is described. Reference numeral 31 denotes a header part, in which the program name of the program data and the program arrangement information regarding the arrangement of the programs are described. 32 is the code part, the program code is stored in a relocatable format, and a CRC is added at the end to check for transmission errors due to data loss. The relocatable format is, for example, a relocatable program described by relative addressing. Further, the program arrangement information of the header part 31 is obtained from the size of the program described in the code part 32 and the list of functions and variables (external public entry list) that the program exposes to the external program. It is configured. Therefore, the software version is upgraded by replacing or adding the above program code according to the program arrangement information while referring to the program name.

【0025】

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of download information transmitted from the transmitting side by satellite broadcasting radio waves in the remote maintenance method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the download information includes the hardware information (model code) of the receiving device, the version information of the software version of the receiver corresponding to the model code due to the program download, and the software version. The program name, which is the name of the above program to be replaced or added in, and the ID of the data packet containing the program data required for version upgrade are described.

【0026】

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the state of the program stored in the program storage unit shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, in order to realize indirect addressing for functions and variables (hereinafter referred to as entries) that each program exposes to the outside, the entry and its address are located below the address of the program storage unit. The external public entry table that is a set of is placed. The program is arranged on the higher address side following the external public entry table.

【0027】

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the remote maintenance device according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. Next, the operation of the remote maintenance device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

【0028】

First, it receives radio waves from satellites and retrieves download information. Here, the radio wave is a transport stream defined by the DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting) standard or the MPEG standard modulated by a method such as QPSK modulation. Further, the download information is transmitted using the private section of the MPEG standard, and the download information is identified by the table ID of the private section. In the first embodiment, the above table ID is explicitly added, and the description of the identification method will be omitted.

【0029】

That is, in order to retrieve the download information, the front end unit 11 and the TS decoder 12 are initially set (S1), and the loader unit 13 inquires the TS decoder whether or not the download information has been decoded (S2).

【0030】

Next, when the download information is decoded, the loader unit 13 temporarily stores the download information in the program information temporary storage unit 14 (S3).

【0031】

Then, the loader unit 13 acquires the model code from the hardware information storage unit 16 (S4), acquires the version information from the software information storage unit 17 (S5), and stores these information in the program temporary storage unit 14. Compare with the above download information.

【0032】

At this time, it is checked whether or not the download information has the same model code as that of the hardware information storage unit 16 (S6), and if there is no same model code, the process ends. Check if the above download information program has been upgraded from the software in (S7).

【0033】

Next, if the version has not been upgraded, the process ends, and if the version has been upgraded, one of the data packet IDs of the program data corresponding to the model code stored in the download information is acquired from the download information ( S8), the data packet ID is set in the TS decoder 12 (S9), and the loader unit 13 inquires the TS decoder whether or not the data packet of the program data having the data packet ID has been decoded, and that the data packet ID has been decoded. Confirm (S10).

【0034】

Next, when the decoded data packet of the inquired program data is decoded, the loader unit 13 temporarily stores the decoded program data data packet in the program information temporary storage unit 14 (S11).

【0035】

Then, the loader unit 13 arranges the program code of the program data in the program storage unit 18 based on the program arrangement information described in the header unit 31 (see FIG. 3) of the program data, and arranges the program code in the program code in the program code. Determine the entry address of the function, variable, etc., and change the address of the external public entry table of the program storage unit 18 corresponding to the external public entry list of the program placement information (S12).

【0036】

In this way, S8 to S12 are repeated (S13) for the number of programs required for the version upgrade described in the download information, and the storage operation of all the programs required for the version upgrade is completed.

【0037】

For example, when the download information shown in FIG. 4 is received and the hardware information and software information of the receiving device shown in FIG. 7 are stored in the program storage information storage unit 15, the model code of the hardware information storage unit 16 ( Since the same model code as STB-9706) is also found in the above download information, the version information (000001) of the software information storage unit 17 is compared with the version information of the model code (STB-9706) in the above download information. Since the model code (STB-9706) of the above download information has the version information of 000001 and 010001, it can be seen that the current version of the receiving device is 000001 and the version has not been upgraded. Therefore, the loader unit 13 acquires the data packet ID (0x0201) of the program data of the program name (MPEG driver) contained in the version information (010001) and sets the PID (0x0201) in the TS decoder 12. It receives the data packet of the program data of the MPEG driver it has and stores it in the program information temporary storage unit 14. Here, when the MPEG driver has the program arrangement information shown in FIG. 3, first, the program code of the code unit 32 is stored in the program storage unit 18. At this time, referring to the above program name, if the program storage unit 18 already has an old version of the MPEG driver, it is overwritten there, and if not, it is stored in the free area. Next, since the start address of the stored MPEG driver is determined, the relative address inside the program is corrected to an absolute address based on this address. Finally, the entry published to the outside is searched according to the list of public entries in the program placement information, the address is obtained, and the address part of the corresponding entry in the public entry table of the program storage unit is overwritten. The above processing completes the placement of the program in the program storage unit 18.

【0038】

As described above, in the remote maintenance method according to the first embodiment, the model code, version information, the program name which is the name of the above program to be replaced or added in the software version, and the program data PID are obtained from the broadcasting station. The remote maintenance device that transmits the download information including the download information and the data packet of the program data including the program code, the program name, and the PID and receives the download information uses the model code and version information of the device as the download information. In comparison, if the version is not upgraded, the program data with the program data PID required for the version upgrade is acquired. Therefore, the consistency between the hardware and software of the receiving device that executes the received program is guaranteed. It is possible to upgrade the software version.

【0039】

Further, the program data further includes the arrangement information on the receiving side of the function included in the program, and the transferred program is replaced or added on the receiving side based on the arrangement information. By upgrading the version, it can be made into a software program that functions reliably.

【0040】

In the remote maintenance method according to the first embodiment, the remote maintenance device has been described as a satellite broadcast receiving device such as STB that receives the download information transmitted by satellite broadcasting radio waves. It may be a device that receives the download information transmitted by radio waves other than broadcasting or a digital CATV device that receives the download information transmitted by cable broadcasting.

【0041】

Embodiment 2. In the remote maintenance method according to the above-described first embodiment, the model code, version information, program name, download information including program data PID, and PID, program name, program layout information, and program are used from the transmitting side. The receiving device that transmits the program data including the code and receives the download information compares the model code and version information of the receiving device with the download information, and when the version is not upgraded, it matches the receiving device. Although it is assumed that the above program data having the property is acquired, in the remote maintenance method according to the second embodiment, only the download information is transmitted from the transmitting side, and the version is not upgraded in the same manner as in the first embodiment. When the above is confirmed, the receiving device notifies the transmitting side that the version has not been upgraded.

【0042】

Therefore, the download information (see FIG. 4) used in the first embodiment is also used in the remote maintenance method according to the second embodiment.

【0043】

Here, in the first embodiment, since all the program data corresponding to all the model codes described in the download information are transmitted, this becomes a considerable capacity, and it is inefficient to transmit frequently. Therefore, only the download information with a small capacity is frequently and periodically transmitted, and as for the program data, all the program data described in the download information is periodically transmitted only once a day or the like. Only those necessary for upgrading the software of each receiving device will be transmitted separately.

【0044】

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the remote maintenance device according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. Next, the operation of the remote maintenance device according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

【0045】

S1 to S7 are the same as the operations in the first embodiment, and the same operations as S1 to S7 shown in FIG. 6 are performed. Next, if the version has not been upgraded, the process ends, and if the version has been upgraded, the communication unit 20 identifies the remote maintenance device 1 to the center 25 (in the second embodiment, the broadcasting station of satellite broadcasting). Notifies the receiver ID of the software and the model code which is the software version information and the hardware version information (S8). At this time, instead of notifying the version information and the model code of the software, the program data PID of the program data determined to be necessary for the version upgrade by the receiving device may be notified.

【0046】

Next, the center 25, which is a broadcasting station, receives the notification from the remote maintenance device 1 and transmits the program data necessary for software version upgrade by the receiving device of the receiver ID by radio waves. In this case, the broadcasting station may transmit all the program data described in the download information if there is a request for transmission of various program data from a large number of remote maintenance devices having different specifications. This also applies when the program information is transmitted by radio waves of terrestrial broadcasting, radio waves other than broadcasting, or wired broadcasting.

【0047】

It is also possible to transmit only the necessary program data from the center 25 to each computer connected to the center 25 via a telephone line or the like in response to a notification from each computer.

【0048】

Even when the program data is transmitted from the transmitting side and the version is upgraded, if the transmitting side is notified of the version upgrade, the transmitting side can surely grasp the state of the receiving side.

【0049】

As described above, in the remote maintenance method according to the second embodiment, only the download information used in the first embodiment is transmitted from the transmitting side, and the remote maintenance device that receives the download information uses the download information. When it is confirmed that the version has not been upgraded, the sender is notified that the version has not been upgraded, and the sender is also equipped with a communication unit that notifies the sender when the version is upgraded. You can check the remote maintenance device that has not been upgraded, and it is possible to upgrade by transmitting the program data required for the upgrade, and at the same time, receive the program data and understand that the upgrade has been completed. You can also do it.

【0050】

In addition, when program data is transmitted, there is an error during CRC (Cyclic redundancy check), which is an error check during transmission, and when the program data is not downloaded normally, the address of the program cannot be resolved. It is possible to confirm that no error has occurred and send these confirmation results to the sender. Therefore, when an error is notified, the sender instructs the appropriate action for the error. It is possible, and when it is normal, the sender can know that the download has been made.

【0051】

Furthermore, after storing and relocating the program, the test program downloaded included in the download information (see Fig. 4) is executed to check whether the stored and relocated program code can operate logically as software. Find out. At this time, since this result can be transmitted to the sender, if an execution error occurs, the sender can instruct an appropriate action for the error, and if it is normal, the version is upgraded. The sender can know that the program has been completed and the program can be executed.

【0052】

Embodiment 3. The remote maintenance method according to the third embodiment transmits service program information in addition to the download information and program data transmitted from the broadcasting station in the remote maintenance method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of service program information transmitted from a broadcasting station in the remote maintenance method according to the third embodiment. As shown in the figure, in the remote maintenance method according to the third embodiment, from the broadcasting station of the satellite broadcasting, all the service information describing all the services provided by the broadcasting station and the receiving device for executing the received program are provided. Service program information that includes not only information on available services but also information on available services for each software version according to the model code according to the hardware (model code) is multiplexed into the program broadcast. Be sent out.

【0053】

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the remote maintenance device according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. Next, the operation of the remote maintenance device according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

【0054】

First, the program is stored in the version upgrade area of the program storage unit 18 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Then, in order to retrieve the above service program information, the front end unit 11 and the TS decoder 12 are initially set (S1).

【0055】

Next, the service program information is transmitted by radio waves from the satellite, and the loader unit 13 inquires whether or not the service program information is decoded by the TS decoder 12 (S2).

【0056】

Next, when the service program information is decoded, the loader unit 13 first acquires the model code from the hardware information storage unit 16 (S3), and acquires the version information from the software information storage unit 17 (S4).

【0057】

Then, it is checked whether or not the above service program information has the same model code as the model code of the hardware information storage unit 16 (S5), and if there is no same model code, the service program information is stored in the service information storage unit 21. Finish without doing.

【0058】

On the other hand, when there is the same model code, all service information (see FIG. 9) is acquired from the above service program information, and all the service information is stored in the service information storage unit 21 (S6). Further, the loader unit 13 acquires an executable service name from the acquired version information of the software information storage unit 17 (S7), and can execute the service in this version among all the services stored in the service information storage unit 21. Mark the service (see Figure 11) (S8).

【0059】

Then, the loader unit 13 notifies the program execution unit 19 that the service program information has been acquired (S9). Acquiring the service program information here means not only the service program information transmitted from the transmitting side as it is, but also all the information shown in FIG. 11 that does not include information about services that can be executed by other receiving devices. It means to store the service information marked with an executable service. If the receiving device has not been upgraded, not only the services that can be executed by the current version are marked, but also the services that can be executed when the version is upgraded can be executed when the version is upgraded. By adding a mark indicating, the user can more easily understand the situation.

【0060】

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation in the program execution unit shown in FIG. Further, the operation of the program execution unit 19 will be described with reference to FIG.

【0061】

The program is loaded from the program storage unit 18 (S1), the demodulator 11, the TS decoder 12, and the AV decoder 23 are initially set (S2), and the loader unit 13 is started (S3). As a result, the download information, the program data, and the service program information can be obtained at any time. At this time, the operation of the loader unit 13 when acquiring the download information and the program data is shown in FIG. 6 and has already been described in the first embodiment, and the loader unit when acquiring the service program information. The operation in No. 13 is also shown in FIG. 10 and described above, and the description thereof will be omitted.

【0062】

Then, the program loaded from the program storage unit 18 is executed (S4). Here, it is checked whether or not the end event has been acquired from the input unit 22 (for example, whether the user has pressed the end key of the remote controller to input to the input unit) (S5), and if so, the loader unit 13 is terminated. (S6).

【0063】

On the other hand, when the service program information acquisition event is acquired instead of the end event (for example, the user inputs a key instructing the acquisition of the service program information using a remote controller or the like) (S7), the service information storage unit 21 The service information is acquired from (S8), a screen image for displaying the service program information on the screen is created (S9), and the screen image is output to the AV decoder 23 (S10).

【0064】

Alternatively, when another event is acquired instead of the service program information acquisition event (S7), the program for processing the acquired other event is executed (S11).

【0065】

After this, return to S5 to get the next event. Even when the service program information acquisition event is acquired (S7 to S10), the process returns to S5 and the event processing is performed again.

【0066】

In step 9, instead of creating the screen image, a voice image may be created and the content to be displayed on the screen may be shown to the user by voice.

【0067】

Here, according to the screen image created in step 9 displayed on the screen (see FIG. 13 (a)), the user cannot execute the service that can execute the selectable one and the non-selectable one. As a service, it is possible to grasp at a glance whether it is an executable service or not. At this time, the "detailed information" and "cancellation" shown in Fig. 13 (a) are not displayed on the screen, but the others are as shown in Fig. 13 (a). is there.

【0068】

As described above, after displaying the above service program information on the screen and confirming the executable service, the case where any of the executable services is received and executed is simply described with reference to FIG. explain.

【0069】

The front end unit 11 tunes the channel, and the TS decoder 12 outputs a menu of services that are programs provided by the channel. The program execution unit 19 creates a screen image for displaying the acquired menu on the screen, which is output by the AV decoder 23 and displayed on the screen by the playback unit 24. The user selects a desired service from this screen by clicking with a mouse or the like, and this is input from the input unit 22 to the program execution unit 19, and the program execution unit 19 causes the TS decoder 12 to decode the selected service. .. The service is executed by being decoded by the AV decoder 23 and displayed on the screen by the playback unit 24. In addition, the service program information and the menu of the service may be linked and displayed on the screen.

【0070】

As described above, in the remote maintenance method according to the third embodiment, in addition to the download information and the program data used in the first embodiment, all the service information from the transmitting side and the software version according to the model code are used. The remote maintenance device that transmits the service program information including the information of the executable service and receives the service program information compares the model code and version information of the device with the above service program information and executes the device. Since the configuration is such that the possible services are grasped, it is possible to inform the viewer of the services that can be executed by the current version or version upgrade of the software of the remote maintenance device.

【0071】

Embodiment 4. The remote maintenance method according to the fourth embodiment is a service display indicating at what execution level the service can be displayed in the service program information used in the remote maintenance method according to the third embodiment. It transmits the one with restrictions added.

【0072】

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of service program information transmitted from a broadcasting station in the remote maintenance method according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in the figure, the service program information used in the fourth embodiment includes all the service information in which the service that is the program to be provided is described in the service program information used in the third embodiment. A service execution restriction that indicates the execution level of the service requested by is added, and a service execution restriction that indicates the execution level that can actually execute the above service is added with the software version corresponding to the above model code. It is described as.

【0073】

For example, for a service "game", the color display execution level required to perform this is the full color display, which is the highest execution level. "Game" is a service that can be executed by the receiver of the model code (STB-9706). This can be executed in the version of version information (000001), but only 16 colors can be displayed here. Also, in the version of version information (010001), the execution level has been raised to 256-color display, but the required full-color display cannot be achieved. This indicates that even if the "game" can be enjoyed by being displayed in full color, it cannot be fully enjoyed because the display state is poor even though it can be executed by the above receiving device. ..

【0074】

Also, regarding the "news" of the service, the audio execution level required to execute this is the execution level that can be played in bilingual and stereo. "News" is also a service that can be executed by the receiver of the model code (STB-9706). In the version of version information (000001), it can be played in stereo but not in bilingual, and in the upgraded version information (010001), it can be played in bilingual and stereo, which is the same as the execution level required by the service. Is.

【0075】

The configuration of the remote maintenance device according to the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the remote maintenance device according to the third embodiment. The operation will be described with reference to FIG.

【0076】

In the same manner as in the third embodiment, the operations S1 to S4 are performed, and if there is no same model code, the service program information is terminated without being stored in the service information storage unit 21.

【0077】

On the other hand, if there is the same model code, the loader unit 13 further acquires all service information from the above service program information and information about services related to the acquired version information from the acquired version information of the software information storage unit 17. , These information are stored in the service information storage unit 21.

【0078】

Then, the loader unit 13 notifies the program execution unit 19 that the service program information has been acquired. The service program information referred to here does not include information about services that can be executed by other extra receiving devices, and the program execution unit 19 creates a screen image for displaying the service program information on the screen. Is displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. First, the screen display 1 shown in (a) is displayed, which corresponds to the service program information used in the third embodiment displayed on the screen, and the service that can be executed can be confirmed from this screen. Next, by clicking the detailed information displayed on the screen display 1, the screen display 2 shown in (b) is displayed, and the service that can be executed and the execution that can execute the service with the current software version. The level is shown. "Game" is not displayed because it cannot be executed, and "News" that can be executed is displayed, showing the bilingual and stereo levels that can be executed with the current software version (010001).

【0079】

As in the case of the third embodiment, if the version has not been upgraded, not only the information about the service related to the current version information but also the information about the service that can be executed after the version upgrade can be acquired. It makes it easier for the user to understand the situation.

【0080】

As described above, in the remote maintenance method according to the fourth embodiment, the service program information in which the service execution restriction item indicating the execution level of the service is added to the service program information used in the third embodiment is transmitted to the service. The remote maintenance device that receives the program information compares the model code and version information of the device with the service program information, and among the service program information, all the service information and the current software version or version upgrade. If not, the current and upgraded versions are configured to store information about the services that can be executed, so the viewer can execute the program by the current version or version upgrade of the software of the remote maintenance device. Not only can we guide you to various services, but you can also tell us at what level of execution this executable service can be performed.

【0081】

[Effect of the invention]

As described above, according to the present invention (claims 1 and 8), download information including a model code, version information, program name, and program data PID from a broadcasting station, and a program code, program name, and The remote maintenance device that transmits the data packet of the program data including the PID and receives the download information compares the model code and version information of the device with the download information, and if the version is not upgraded, the version Since the configuration is such that the program data having the program data PID required for the upgrade is acquired, there is an effect that it is possible to upgrade the software that guarantees the consistency between the hardware and the software of the receiving device that executes the received program. ..

【0082】

Further, according to the present invention (claims 2 and 9), in the remote maintenance method according to claim 1 or the remote maintenance device according to claim 8, the program data is a function included in the program. Since the transferred program is replaced or added on the receiving side based on the arrangement information, the software program can be made to function reliably by the version upgrade. There is an effect that can be done.

【0083】

Further, according to the present invention (claims 3 and 10), in the remote maintenance method according to claim 1 or the remote maintenance device according to claim 8, a transmission error occurs at the time of version upgrade. Since it is decided to confirm whether or not it is and notify the sender, when an error is notified, it is possible for the sender to instruct an appropriate action for the error, and when it is normal, This has the effect of allowing the sender to know that the download has been made reliably.

【0084】

Further, according to the present invention (claims 4 and 11), the test program included in the download information and downloaded in the remote maintenance method according to claim 1 or the remote maintenance device according to claim 8. Is executed to check whether the upgraded program code can operate logically as software, and the result is sent to the sender. Therefore, if an execution error occurs, the error is dealt with. It is possible to instruct an appropriate action from the transmitting side, and when it is normal, there is an effect that the transmitting side can grasp that the version upgrade is completed and the program can be executed.

【0085】

Further, according to the present invention (claims 5 and 12), only the download information including the model code, version information, program name, and program data PID is transmitted from the transmitting side, and the download information is received. When the remote maintenance device confirms that the version has not been upgraded based on the download information, it notifies the sender that the version has not been upgraded, and also notifies the sender when the version is upgraded. , It is possible to check the remote maintenance device that has not been upgraded on the transmitting side, and it is possible to upgrade by transmitting the program code, and it is necessary to understand that the program code has been transmitted and the upgrade has been completed. It also has the effect of being able to do it.

【0086】

Further, according to the present invention (claims 6 and 13), service program information including all service information and information on services that can be executed for each software version according to the model code is transmitted from the transmitting side. The remote maintenance device that received the service program information compares the model code and version information of the device with the service program information to grasp the services that can be executed by the device. It has the effect of being able to guide the services that can be executed by the current version or version upgrade of the software of the remote maintenance device.

【0087】

Further, according to the present invention (claims 7 and 14), all service information from the transmitting side, information on services that can be executed for each software version according to the model code, and service execution indicating the execution level of the service are shown. The remote maintenance device that transmits the service program information with restrictions and receives the service program information compares the model code and version information of the device with the service program information, and among the service program information, Since all the above service information and the current software version, or when the version has not been upgraded, the current and upgraded versions are configured to store information about the services that can be executed, the viewer can be informed. The effect of not only being able to guide the services that can be executed by the current version or upgrade of the software of the remote maintenance device, but also being able to guide the execution level of this executable service. is there.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

[Figure 1]

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the remote maintenance apparatus used in Embodiments 1 to 4 collectively.

[Figure 2]

It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the software executed by the remote maintenance apparatus in Embodiment 1. FIG.

[Fig. 3]

It is a figure which shows an example of the program data transmitted from the transmitting side by the radio wave of satellite broadcasting in the remote maintenance method by Embodiment 1. FIG.

[Fig. 4]

It is a figure which shows an example of the download information transmitted from the transmitting side by the radio wave of satellite broadcasting in the remote maintenance method by Embodiment 1. FIG.

[Fig. 5]

It is a figure which shows an example of the state of the program stored in the program storage part shown in FIG.

[Fig. 6]

It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation of the remote maintenance apparatus in Embodiment 1 shown in FIG.

[Fig. 7]

It is a figure which shows an example of the information stored in the hardware information storage part and the software information storage part shown in FIG.

[Fig. 8]

It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation of the remote maintenance apparatus in Embodiment 2 shown in FIG.

[Fig. 9]

It is a figure which shows an example of the service program information transmitted from a broadcasting station in the remote maintenance method by Embodiment 3. FIG.

[Fig. 10]

It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation of the remote maintenance apparatus in Embodiment 3 shown in FIG.

[Fig. 11]

In the remote maintenance device shown in Fig. 1, the service program information in which the service that can be executed is marked in all the service information stored in the service information storage unit.

[Fig. 12]

It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation in the program execution part shown in FIG.

[Fig. 13]

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of displaying the service program information stored in the service information storage unit on the screen in the remote maintenance method according to the fourth embodiment.

[Fig. 14]

It is a figure which shows an example of the service program information transmitted from a broadcasting station in the remote maintenance method by Embodiment 4. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Remote maintenance device 11 Front end 11a tuner 11b demodulator 11c Error corrector 12 TS decoder 13 Loader section 14 Program information temporary storage 15 Program storage information storage 16 Hardware information storage 17 Software information storage unit 18 Program storage 19 Program Execution Department 20 Communication Department 21 Service information storage 22 Input section 23 AV decoder 24 Playback section 25 Center 31 Header part 32 code part