CN1399469A - Digital broadcast receiver and relevant data download method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a digital broadcast receiver that can stably carry out data downloading to small-sized receivers with a narrow transmission band, and to provide a data downloading method. Device information of the small-sized receivers (14, 15, 17) is registered to the digital broadcast receiver (11), and the digital broadcast receiver (11) acquires and stores download data digitally broadcast to the small-sized receivers (14, 15, 17), and the stored download data to the small-sized receivers (14, 15, 17) are transfered to the small-sized receivers (14, 15, 17).

Description

Digital broadcast receiver and related data downloading method

technical field

The present invention relates to improvements in digital broadcasting receivers to accommodate ground wave based digital broadcasting or direct digital broadcasting via satellite. Meanwhile, the present invention also relates to an improvement of a method of downloading data such as a program to such a digital broadcast receiver.

Background technique

As is well known, digital broadcasting based on ground waves or direct digital broadcasting via satellites is intended to use transmission bands of 1 or 3 bands mainly for extremely light and small receivers.

For such a small receiver, since the transmission frequency band is too narrow with only 1 or 3 bands, it takes a long time to receive data downloaded from broadcasting stations to update programs or rewrite data.

In many cases, small receivers are used as portable terminals. Therefore, it is difficult to continuously and stably receive data downloaded from broadcasting stations for a long time.

Therefore, there is presently a possibility that data cannot be downloaded using a narrow transmission band. Given this situation, another data download method had to be developed.

Techniques that allow a portable terminal to handle large amounts of data include, for example, techniques disclosed in Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publications, Serial Nos. 10-336238 and 2000-47968 in Japan.

The technique disclosed in the previous publication includes temporarily storing digital data generated by a portable terminal in a memory, and then sending the data to a server in time order to be stored there.

The technique disclosed in the latter publication is to selectively accept data on a case-by-case basis. In both publications, it is not disclosed how to solve the problems related to downloading data.

Contents of the invention

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a digital broadcasting receiver and a data downloading method whereby data can be downloaded to a small receiver whose transmission frequency band is narrow so as to operate stably.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a digital broadcast receiver is provided, which is characterized in that the receiver includes: a registration device for recording equipment information related to a receiver to which digital broadcast data is to be downloaded; an acquisition device, for acquiring and storing digital broadcast data to be downloaded to a receiver whose equipment information has been registered in the registration means; and transmitting means for downloading the digital broadcast data stored in the acquiring means to the receiver.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be learned from this description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. These objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter.

Description of drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate some embodiments of the invention and, together with the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the embodiments, serve to explain the design principles of the invention.

1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the relationship between a digital broadcast receiver and a small receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the digital broadcast receiver in FIG. 1;

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of each small receiver in Fig. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a procedure for a digital broadcast receiver to acquire download data for each type of small receiver; and

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a process in which a digital broadcast receiver transmits download data to a corresponding one of the small-sized receivers.

Detailed ways

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a fixed digital broadcasting receiver, which is a 13-band broadcasting receiver capable of receiving a digital signal from a broadcasting satellite 12 and a ground wave digital signal from a broadcasting antenna 13.

The digital broadcast receiver 11 can perform data communication with the portable compact receiver 14 through its wireless communication facility such as "Bluetooth". The receiver 14 is a 1- or 3-band broadcast receiver capable of receiving the above-mentioned digital broadcast signals.

In the digital broadcast receiver 11, equipment information related to the compact receiver 14 such as manufacturer's name, equipment type, model number, etc. has been registered in advance. Therefore, the digital broadcast receiver 11 can monitor the download notification information of the receiver 14, and, when receiving the notification information, determine, acquire and store the data to be downloaded to the small receiver 14 based on the download list attached to the notification information. .

After storing the data to be downloaded to the receiver 14, the digital broadcast receiver 11 displays the end of the download, and, when the receiver 14 is in the area covered by the effective range of the wireless communication facility and is not busy, the digital broadcast receiver 11 The download data is sent to the receiver 14 .

Once all the download data is received from the digital broadcast receiver 11, the receiver 14 executes the download data. Thus, data downloading to the receiver 14 is completed.

Furthermore, the digital broadcast receiver 11 is also allowed to perform data communication with the portable compact receiver 15 via a communication facility through a cable connection using, for example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB). The receiver 15 is a 1- or 3-band broadcast receiver capable of receiving the above-mentioned digital broadcast signals.

In the digital broadcast receiver 11, equipment information related to the compact receiver 15 such as manufacturer's name, equipment type, model number, etc. has been registered in advance. Accordingly, the digital broadcast receiver 11 can monitor the download notification information of the receiver 15, and, when receiving the notification information, determine, acquire and store data to be downloaded to the receiver 15 based on the download list attached to the notification information.

After storing the data to be downloaded to the receiver 15, the digital broadcast receiver 11 indicates that the download is complete, and, when the cable connection with the receiver 15 is established, transmits the download data to the receiver 15.

Once all the download data is received from the digital broadcast receiver 11, the receiver 15 executes the download data. Thus, data downloading to the receiver 15 is completed.

Furthermore, the digital broadcast receiver 11 is also allowed to transmit data to and receive data from the portable small receiver 17 via the external storage medium 16 as an information communication medium.

In the digital broadcasting receiver 11, equipment information related to the compact receiver 17, such as manufacturer's name, equipment type, model number, etc., has been registered in advance. Accordingly, the digital broadcast receiver 11 can monitor the download notification information of the receiver 17, and, when receiving the notification information, determine, acquire and store data to be downloaded to the receiver 17 based on the download list attached to the notification information.

After storing the data to be downloaded to the receiver 17, the digital broadcast receiver 11 displays the end of the download and, when registered with the external storage medium 16, writes the downloaded data to the medium 16.

Then, the external storage medium 16 storing the downloaded data is loaded into the receiver 17, so that the receiver 17 can read and execute the downloaded data on the storage medium 16. Thus, data downloading to the receiver 17 is completed.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the digital broadcast receiver 11 . In this configuration, a digital broadcast signal received by the antenna 18 is input to a channel selector circuit 19 to select a broadcast signal on a channel notified to a central processing unit (CPU) 20 .

The broadcast signal selected by the channel selector 19 is input to a demodulator circuit 21, where the signal is demodulated, and then input to a video processing circuit 22, which generates a video display signal. The generated video signal is displayed on a TV monitor 23 . In this case, although not shown in the figure, it is also possible to generate an audio signal and input the audio signal to a speaker.

This digital broadcast receiving operation is completely controlled by the CPU 20, which responds to operation information received from a remote control (not shown) through the remote control receiver 24.

Connected with the CPU 20 is a storage unit 25, which can be used as: a memory for storing a processing program that enables the CPU 20 to perform a control operation, a working memory for storing data when the CPU 20 performs a control operation, and a memory for storing data when the CPU 20 performs a control operation. A cache memory for temporarily storing received program information.

The aforementioned device information relevant to the small receivers 14, 15 and 17 is input by remote control, and then stored in the storage unit 25 by the remote control receiver 24 and CPU 20. Then, the equipment information is entered into the digital broadcast receiver 11 .

The download notification information, download list and download data are extracted by the data extraction unit 26 from the broadcast signal demodulated by the demodulation circuit 21, and then input to the CPU 20.

When the download notification information from the data extraction circuit 26 is suitable for the small receiver 14, 15 or 17 whose equipment information has been entered, the CPU 20 acquires the load data for the receiver, and stores the data in the memory Unit 25.

The digital broadcasting receiver 11 is equipped with a wireless transmitting/receiving unit 27 for wireless communication with the receiver 14, an external connector 28 connected with the receiver 15 via a cable, and a slot 29 for loading an external storage medium 16, All these parts are connected with CPU 20.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the receiver 15 . The other receivers 14 and 17 are almost similar in configuration to the receiver 15, so descriptions thereof are omitted. The digital broadcast signal received by the antenna 30 is input to the channel selection circuit 31, where the signal on the channel notified by the CPU 30 is selected.

The broadcast signal selected by the channel selector 31 is input to a demodulator circuit 33, where the signal is demodulated, and then input to a video processing circuit 34, which generates a video display signal. The resulting video signal is displayed on a monitor 35 . In this case, although not shown in the figure, it is also possible to generate an audio signal and input the audio signal to a speaker.

This digital broadcast receiving operation is entirely controlled by the CPU 32, which responds to operation information received from a remote control (not shown) via the remote control receiver 36.

Connected with the CPU 32 is a storage unit 37, which can be used as: a memory for storing a processing program that enables the CPU 32 to perform a control operation, a working memory for storing data when the CPU 32 performs a control operation, and a memory for storing data when the CPU 32 performs a control operation. A cache memory for temporarily storing received program information.

The aforementioned device information related to the receiver 15 has been stored in the storage unit 37 of the digital broadcast receiver 11 . Download data from the digital broadcast receiver 11 is stored in the storage unit 37 .

The download notice information, download list and download data are extracted by the data extraction circuit 38 from the broadcast signal demodulated by the demodulation circuit 33, and then input to the CPU 32.

When the download notification information from the data extraction circuit 38 is suitable for the receiver 15, the CPU 32 obtains the download data for the receiver 15 according to the download list attached to the notification information, and then stores the data in the storage unit 37.

The receiver 15 is provided with an external connector 39 connected to the digital broadcast receiver 11 via a cable, and the connector is connected to the CPU 32.

The receiver 15 can selectively execute the operation of sending the download data obtained by the digital broadcast receiver 11 to the storage unit 37 through the connector 39 and the CPU 32, or send the download data obtained by the data extraction circuit 38 to the storage unit 37 through the CPU 32. Operation of Unit 37.

The receiver 15 is equipped with a wireless transmitting/receiving unit 40 for wireless communication with external devices (including the digital broadcasting receiver 11 and other small receivers 14 and 17), and a slot 41 for loading an external storage medium 16, all These parts are all connected with CPU 32.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the process by which the digital broadcast receiver 11 acquires download data for the receiver 14, 15 or 17. As shown in FIG.

When the process starts (step S11), the CPU 20 first judges whether the small-sized receiver 14, 15 or 17 whose device information has been registered exists (step S12). When it is judged that such a receiver 14, 15 or 17 does not exist, the process ends (step S19).

And if this receiver 14, 15 or 17 exists, then CPU 20 obtains download notification information (step S13) for this receiver 14, 15 or 17. Then, it is judged in step S14 whether the information has been successfully acquired.

If it is determined that the download notification information has been successfully acquired, the CPU 20 acquires the download data and stores it in the storage unit 25 in step S15. In the subsequent step S16, it is judged whether or not the download data has been successfully stored.

If it is determined that the download data has been successfully stored, then in step S17, the CPU 20 indicates on the monitor 23 that the download data has been acquired.

After step S17, or if it is determined in step S14 that the download data has not been successfully acquired, or if it has been determined in step S16 that the download data has not been successfully stored, then in step S18, the CPU 20 determines whether its device information has been All receivers 14, 15 and 17 entered acquired the download data. If the download data has been acquired, the process ends (step S19); otherwise, the process returns to step S13.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a process in which the digital broadcast receiver 11 transmits the obtained download data to the corresponding receiver 14, 15 or 17. Referring to FIG.

When the process starts (step S20), in step S21, the CPU 20 judges whether or not the receiver 14, 15 or 17 for which downloaded data has been acquired and stored in the storage unit 25 exists. If no such receiver 14, 15 or 17 exists, the process ends (step S34).

And if such a receiver 14, 15 or 17 exists, then in step S22, the CPU 20 judges whether the receiver 14, 15 or 17 is ready for wireless communication with the digital broadcast receiver 11.

If the receiver is ready, then in step S23, the CPU 20 judges whether the process of transmitting the download data from the digital broadcast receiver 11 to the receiver 14, 15 or 17 has been set to be automatic.

If the sending process has been set to be automatic, then in step S24, CPU 20 further judges whether receiver 14, 15 or 17 is in the valid range of digital broadcast receiver 11. If not, the process ends (step S34).

If it is determined in step S24 that the receiver 14, 15 or 17 is within the effective range of the digital broadcast receiver 11, the CPU 20 performs a process of starting wireless communication with the receiver 14, 15 or 17 in step S25, and then in step S25 In S26, the download data is sent to the receiver 14, 15 or 17 in a wireless manner.

If in step S22, the receiver 14, 15 or 17 is not ready for wireless communication with the digital broadcast receiver 11, or in step S23, the download data transmission process has not been set to automatic, then, the CPU 20 executes in step S27 the The process in which the download data has been acquired is indicated on the monitor 23, and then, it is judged by which communication facility the receiver 14, 15 or 17 to which the download data is to be transmitted is connected to the digital broadcast receiver 11.

If the communication facility is by radio, then the CPU 20 proceeds to step S25. If the communication facility is by cable, then, CPU 20 sends an instruction that is ready to be connected with receiver 14, 15 or 17 cables in step S29, then, in step S30, download data is sent to receiver 14, 17 through cable. 15 or 17.

If the communication facility is by means of the external storage medium 16, then the CPU 20 sends an instruction that the medium 16 is loaded to the digital broadcast receiver 11 in step S31, and then the download data is sent to the storage medium 16 in step S32. After step S26, S30 or S32, CPU 30 carries out the process of finishing download data transmission in step S33. Then, the process ends (step S34).

According to the above-mentioned embodiment, the device information of the small receiver 14, 15 or 17 capable of receiving broadcasts of 1 or 3 bands is entered into the digital broadcast receiver 11 capable of receiving broadcasts of 13 bands so that the digital The broadcast receiver can acquire the download data for each kind of small receiver and transmit the obtained download data to the corresponding one of the receivers through wireless communication, cable communication or external storage medium 16 .

Therefore, the download data can be quickly sent to a small receiver whose transmission frequency band is too narrow to only 1 or 3 bands, and the data download can be stably completed.

Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims (5)

1. A digital broadcast receiver, characterized in that it comprises: Registration means (24, 25) for recording equipment information related to the receiver (14, 15, 17) to which the digital broadcast data is to be downloaded; acquiring means (25, 26) for acquiring and storing digital broadcast data to be downloaded to receivers (14, 15, 17) whose equipment information has been entered in the registering means (24, 25); and Transmission means (27, 28, 29) for downloading the digital broadcast data stored in the acquisition means (25, 26) to the receiver (14, 15, 17). 2. The digital broadcasting receiver as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the acquisition means (25, 26) is used to monitor the receiver (14, 15) whose equipment information has been entered by the registration means (24, 25) , 17) of the download notification information, and according to the download list attached to the download notification information, determine the digital broadcast data to be acquired. 3. The digital broadcast receiver as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, the transmission means (27, 28, 29) is used to download the digital broadcast data stored in the acquisition means (25, 26) to the In the receiver (14, 15, 17). 4. The digital broadcasting receiver as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, the transmitting means (27, 28, 29) is used for downloading the digital broadcasting data stored in the acquiring means (25, 26) to the receiver through a cable Machine (14,15,17). 5. The digital broadcasting receiver as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, the transmission means (27, 28, 29) is used to store the digital data stored in the acquisition means (25, 26) through an external storage medium (16). The broadcast data is downloaded into the receiver (14, 15, 17).

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