KR20030089092A - Apparatus and Method for Program Update - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An apparatus and a method for updating a program are provided to realize stable program update regardless of power on and off according to update advance notice information. CONSTITUTION: It is judged whether update advance notice information exists in broadcast signals to notify a time transmitting update data for updating a predetermined program of a receiver. If so, the update advance notice information is analyzed to judge whether update is necessary. If so, the corresponding update time is set up and stored according to the advance notice information. The current time is checked according to the existence of update time set information(S52-S53). An equipment is turned on if it is the update set time(S54). The update data is received to update the corresponding program and update set time storage information is cleared(S55-S63).

Description

Apparatus and Method for Program Update

The present invention relates to a program updating apparatus and method for performing a program (S / W) update by automatically controlling the power of the device at a set time according to the notice information regardless of whether the power on / off.

In order to meet the needs of consumers and to improve their competitiveness by satisfying these needs, various electronic products such as TVs, computers, etc. have undergone rapid developments such as systems and applications are updated to the latest version or new programs are added in a short cycle. Doing.

Therefore, not only the quality and design of the product itself is a major factor in determining the competitiveness of the product, but also how quickly it can be updated in response to the development of technology is playing a key factor in the aspect of product competitiveness.

In particular, the TV, which is now an essential home appliance among home appliances, is changing from a unidirectional analog medium to simply watching a broadcast from a broadcasting station to a bidirectional digital medium. Update of various control programs and application programs to support services has become an essential function.

Such a digital TV is composed of a front end 10 for digital RF signal input and a back end 20 for signal processing.

At this time, the front end unit 10 is composed of a tuner / link unit 11 for demodulating the RF signal received through the antenna, and the back end unit 20 digitally processes the demodulated broadcast signal to monitor and speaker. TP separator (21), microcomputer (22), video / audio decoder (23), NTSC / PAL encoder (24), OSD (On Screen Display) / Graphics accelerator (25), peripheral processor (26) And an IEEE 1394 27, a traffic controller 28, a DRAM 29 for application software data storage, an SRAM 30 for OSD data storage, and the like.

In addition, referring to the operation of the digital TV configured as described above, a transport packet transmitted after being QPSK modulated by the transmitter is input to the tuner / link unit 11 via an antenna.

Subsequently, the transport packet corresponding to the broadcast program selected by the user using the remote controller is separated into audio, video and system information (PSI) by the TP separator 21 under the control of the microcomputer 22 through the I ² C bus. .

Among them, the audio data is output to the speaker via the video / audio decoder 23 and the amplifier (not shown), and the image data is output via the video / audio decoder 23 and the NTSC / PAL encoder 24. It is output to C, CVBS, etc. and displayed for viewing by the user through CRT or Flat Panel Display (FPD).

At the same time, the system information, namely, user information, caption data, teletext, broadcast guide information, and OSD data, are also displayed on the screen together with the video signal via the OSD / graphic accelerator 25.

On the other hand, the peripheral processor 26 is connected to the remote control, GPIO, smart card, modem, etc. through the external input terminal to interface various broadcast information and user-related information, the traffic controller 28 controls the flow of the overall digital signal At the same time, memory access operations of the DRAM 29 and the SRAM 30 are controlled.

Looking at the control method and the application program update method of the digital TV showing the configuration and operation described above, first, the broadcast station includes the corresponding update data included in the broadcast signal for a limited time and transmits the broadcast signal only when the power is turned on in the digital TV. Update the program by extracting the included update data.

In the prior art, in particular, in the case of a program update using airwaves, since the update data is limited to a predetermined time, the user and the receiver are not aware of this, and even if the time is known, the user may not be able to check the contents of the notification. Even if the user checks the notice, the user may not remember the time, and the device may not be turned on at the corresponding time. Thus, if the device is not turned on, there is a problem in that the program is not updated.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a program update apparatus and method for automatically executing a program update regardless of a power state of a device.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a typical digital TV

2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a program updater according to the present invention.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of transmitting program update data according to the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of setting a program update time according to the present invention.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a program update method according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

31: digital broadcast receiving unit 32: image processing unit

33: display unit 34: user interface unit

35: storage unit 36: control unit

The program update apparatus according to the present invention includes a receiving unit for receiving update notice information or update data, update time setting information according to the control and application program and update notice information, and a storage unit for storing the corresponding update data, and a receiver. The control unit sets the update time according to the received update notice information and stores it in the storage unit. The controller determines the device power state at the update time, turns on the device power, and updates the corresponding program in the storage unit using the update data received through the receiver unit. It is characterized by including.

The program update method according to the present invention comprises the steps of determining whether there is update notice information for notifying in advance a time for transmitting update data for updating a predetermined program of a receiver in a broadcast signal, and if there is update notice information in a broadcast signal. Analyzing the information to determine the need for an update, and if the result of the determination of the need for an update requires setting and storing the corresponding update time according to the notice information, and checking the current time according to the existence of the update time setting information. When the update setting time is reached, the power supply of the device is checked, and the power is turned on, receiving update data, and updating the corresponding program.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a program updating apparatus and method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a program update apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a method of transmitting program update data according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a method of setting a program update time according to the present invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a program update method according to the present invention.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a program update apparatus according to the present invention may include a digital broadcast receiver for receiving a broadcast signal including update notice information or update data and a video and audio signal, as shown in FIG. 31), an image processing unit 32 for performing image processing so that the image signal received through the digital broadcasting receiver 31 can be displayed on the screen, and outputting the output of the image processing unit 32 to an image medium such as CRT or PDP or LCD. Display unit 33 to display through, the control unit and the application and the update time setting information according to the update notice information and the storage unit 35 for storing the corresponding update data, the power supply unit for supplying the operating power to the respective components (Not shown), the update time may be set according to the update notice information received through the digital broadcast receiver 31. For example, the storage unit 35 stores the device power state at the corresponding update time, controls the power unit to supply power to the digital broadcast receiver 31, and updates the update data received through the digital broadcast receiver 31. Control unit 36 for updating the corresponding program of the storage unit 35 by using, and a user interface unit 34 for the user to input various operation commands.

A program update method through the program update device configured as described above will be described in detail as follows.

First, in the program update method of the present invention, update notice information should be basically provided.

Therefore, as an embodiment of the present invention, since a digital TV has been applied, a method of transmitting update notice information through an airwave in a broadcasting station will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

The broadcast station includes the updated notice information in the additional information area of the digital broadcast signal and transmits it (S31).

That is, NIT (Network Information Table) in Service Information (SI) in Program Service Information (PSI) among Transport & Packet Information (RSMS) of Transport Packet multiplexed with video, audio, and additional information Update notice information is included in the linkage descriptor information of the second loop.

At this time, the update notice information is composed of the update data transmission period and the version (Version) information, the version information is a criterion for determining whether the update is applicable to the receiver, including the product code, model number, software version, The software version consists of the cause of the update (a problem with the software or a change in the broadcast format) and a status code of the hardware on which the update can be made.

Subsequently, the broadcasting station checks the period set in the update notice information (S32), and transmits the broadcast signal including the update data in the corresponding period (S33), and transmits the general broadcast signal in the other period (S34).

At this time, the update data is divided into a plurality of blocks including headers and transmitted to the Digital Storage Media Command & Control (DSM-CC) of the Network Information Table (NIT) in the SI (Service Information) in the PSI (Program Service Information) of the transport packet. .

Next, a method of updating the corresponding program by receiving update notice information and update data transmitted from a broadcasting station will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 4, and 5.

First, a method of setting an update time according to update notice information transmitted from a broadcasting station will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4.

The controller 36 analyzes the linkage descriptor information of the second loop of the NIT (Network Information Table) in the SI (Service Information) in the PSI (Program Service Information) among the digital broadcast signals received through the digital broadcast receiver 31. It is determined whether the updated notice information exists (S41).

Subsequently, if the determination result S41 and update notice information exist, the control unit 36 first checks whether the information corresponds to the user through the above-described product code and model number of the update notice information, and then checks the current program of the user through the software version. It is checked whether it is a higher version, that is, an update is necessary (S42).

In addition, when the determination result S42 requires an update, the control unit 36 sets at least two times of an update period included in the update notice information and stores it in the storage unit 35 (S43). For example, if the update period set in the update notice information is from May 1 to May 5, the time when the update does not disturb TV viewing (for example, 2 am) is 2 times per day. It is set five times.

At this time, if the update setup time is set only once, the update may not be performed stably, so it is set more than twice.

Subsequently, the controller 36 determines whether the setting time storage is completed (S44) and ends.

Meanwhile, an operation in which an actual program update is performed after the update time is set will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 5.

The control unit 36 determines whether the update setting time storage information exists in the storage unit 35 (S52).

Subsequently, the controller 36 checks whether the current time is the update setting time (S53), and if the update setting time storage information exists (S53), and checks the power state of the TV (S54). In particular, it is checked whether the digital broadcast receiver 31 for receiving update data is in an 'on' state.

The controller 36 turns on the power when the power is 'off' state (S55), and in the PSI (Program Service Information) of the digital broadcast signals received through the digital broadcast receiver 31. It analyzes the linkage descriptor information of the second loop of the NIT (Network Information Table) in the service information (SI) and integrates each data divided into blocks including headers in the Digital Storage Media-Command & Control (DSM-CC) section. Received and stored in the storage unit 35 (S56).

Subsequently, when reception of the update data is completed (S57), the controller 36 performs a corresponding program update (S58).

The control unit 36 clears the update setting time storage information of the storage unit 35 and turns off the device power (S59).

On the other hand, the control unit 36 determines that the NIT (Network) in the service information (SI) in the program service information (PSI) of the digital broadcast signal received through the digital broadcast receiver 31 when the power is 'on' state, the determination result (S54) Linkage Descriptor (Linkage_Descriptor) information of the second loop of the information table is analyzed to integrate and receive each data divided into blocks including headers in the Digital Storage Media-Command & Control (DSM-CC) section, and to the storage unit 35. Save (S60).

Subsequently, when reception of the update data is completed (S61), the controller 36 performs a corresponding program update (S62).

The control unit 36 clears the update setting time storage information of the storage unit 35 (S63).

The program update apparatus according to the present invention performs stable program update automatically regardless of power on / off according to the update notice information, thereby increasing the reliability and ease of use of the product.

Claims (12)

A receiver for receiving update notice information or update data, A storage unit for storing update time setting information and corresponding update data according to the control and application program and the update notice information; Set the update time according to the update notice information received through the receiving unit and store it in the storage unit, grasp the device power state at the update time, turn on the device power, and use the update data received through the receiving unit. And a control unit for updating the program. Transmitting, by a broadcasting station, update notification information included in the broadcast signal for notifying in advance of a time for transmitting update data; And transmitting a corresponding update data when a current time is a time set in the update notice information. The method of claim 2, The update notice information is included in a network information table (NIT) in a service information (SI) in a program service information (PSI) of a transport packet. The method of claim 2, The update notice information includes an update data transmission period and version information. The method of claim 4, wherein The version information includes a product code, model number, software version. The method of claim 5, And said software version includes update cause information and a corresponding hardware status code. The method of claim 2, And the update data is included in a network information table (NIT) in a service information (SI) in a program service information (PSI) of a transport packet. Determining whether there is update notice information for notifying in advance a time for transmitting update data for updating a predetermined program of a receiver to a broadcast signal; If there is update notice information in the broadcast signal, analyzing the notice information and determining whether an update is necessary; Setting and storing a corresponding update time according to the notice information if an update is needed as a result of the determination of whether the update is necessary; Checking the current time according to the existence of the update time setting information, and if the update setting time is reached, the program updating method comprising the step of identifying the power state of the device 'on' the power and receiving the update data to update the program. The method of claim 8, The update notice information includes the update data transmission period and the version information as a reference for determining whether the update needs to be updated at the receiver. The method of claim 8, The setting of the update time according to the notice information may include setting at least two times of update data transmission periods in the notice information. The method of claim 8, And deleting previously stored update time setting information after the program update. The method of claim 8, And 'turning off' the device after the program update.