DE10212435A1 - System handling software for television set, includes reader for memory card containing software for the set - Google Patents

Abstract

The TV set (1) includes a card reader (180). The card (185) contains software for the set. An Independent claim is included for the corresponding method of handling software for a TV set.

Description

The present invention relates to a system for handling software for a television, as well as a method, a television and a replaceable Storage unit, for easy and quick handling of software or Software changes for the television.

TVs manufactured today are digitized on a large scale, i. H. essential components of the television are digital components formed or monitored and controlled by digital components. Software will used in such televisions to the individual components control and so the desired functions of the TV are available put.

In the known television sets, the software is stored in non-volatile memories saved, e.g. B. PROM or EPROM memories, which are usually fixed in the TV are built in or inserted in sockets and therefore without Soldering work can be changed.

After the completion of the known televisions, a change to the software stored in the non-volatile memories, however, considerable effort is required in both cases, because for this purpose physical replacement of the non-volatile memory is required. To do this usually open the case of the TV to the non-volatile memory devices.

If the non-volatile memories can be changed directly using electrical signals, be deleted or overwritten, such as B. with EEPROM memories, it is also a desired software change possible via an interface and e.g. B. to accomplish a service computer.

In any case, it is necessary in the known television sets that the Modification of the software is made by a specialist because, on the one hand the handling of electronic components of the television certain security risk, since this with the housing open takes place and thus live parts can be freely accessible, and the non-volatile memory if mishandled, for example electrostatic discharges can be destroyed. On the other hand is for the Exchange of software via an interface, specialist knowledge and a service Computer required. In addition, it is not possible to use software only temporarily to change z. B. using special software to diagnose the condition of the TV.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a handling system of software for a television, as well as a method, a television and an exchangeable storage unit for easy and quick handling of software or software changes for the television set so that the handling of the software or software changes by one not specially trained operators of the television itself and without any special Aid can be made.

In the present invention, this object is achieved by the features of Claims 1, 7, 8 and 14 solved.

In the system for handling software for a television set, as well as the Procedure, the television and the removable storage unit for which easy and quick handling of software or software changes for the television set is based on the consideration that the replaceable storage unit is designed as a card-shaped memory and the television has an easily accessible facility, e.g. B. one Connector by means of which the removable storage unit with the TV or the memory of the TV can be connected.

The advantage of the invention is that it is simple and quick Handling of software or software changes for the television the removable storage unit and the associated device of the TV are enabled. This doesn't particularly allow you to either trained operator of the television, handling the software or Make software changes without the use of special tools is required.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the stored in the removable storage unit Software stored in the TV's non-volatile memory Software replaced in whole or in part after the removable storage unit by means of the associated device of the television with the television has been connected. The changes made to the Memory contents of the TV's non-volatile memory remain also obtained after the removable storage unit from the TV has been disconnected.

The particularly preferred embodiment of the invention has the advantage that by means of the removable storage unit, the software of the television can be replaced in whole or in part, the interchangeable Storage unit removed after the replacement of the television set can be. The replaceable storage unit can then be used, for example All or part of the software from other television sets is used change.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the stored in the removable storage unit Software is loaded into the memory of the TV to the To supplement software of the television set, to replace it in whole or in part and / or all or part of the working memory of the television set form after the removable storage unit by means of the associated Setup of the TV has been connected to the TV. The supplements or changes to the software of the TV will be lost after the interchangeable Storage unit has been disconnected from the television, i. H. after this The point in time becomes the non-volatile memory of the TV stored software used to operate the TV.

The further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention has the Advantage that the software of the TV temporarily supplemented and replaced in whole or in part can be. This allows that during the presence of the interchangeable Storage unit, for example, special modes of operation of the television be made possible such. B. a diagnosis of the television. Likewise, the Software of the removable storage device contain additional data with the TV can be displayed, e.g. B. image data and / or Audio data.

Further advantages of the present invention result from the dependent ones Claims and the following description of an embodiment of a TV set according to the invention using a figure.

The single figure shows a basic circuit diagram of an embodiment of a system for handling software for a television with an interchangeable Storage unit.

To facilitate understanding of the present invention, in Figure shows only the components of the embodiment, which in Connection with the invention are important.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of a system for handling of software for a television set 1 with a removable storage unit 185.

The television 1 has a signal input 110 , for example an antenna, a tuner 115 and an intermediate frequency stage 120 , in order, for. B. to receive a television signal from a particular station. The received television signal is processed by a signal processing circuit 125 , so that an audio signal and a video signal are available at the outputs of the signal processing circuit 125 . The audio signal is amplified by a power amplifier 130 and converted into an acoustic signal by a loudspeaker 140 . The video signal is processed by a video signal processing circuit 135 for display by means of a display 145 .

For the operation of the television 1 , a control device 150 , 155 is provided which, for. B. may consist of a remote control transmitter 150 and a remote control receiver 155 connected to a control device 160 . Remote control transmitter 150 and remote control receiver 155 can be connected to one another wirelessly, e.g. B. via infrared signals. By means of the remote control transmitter 1 , all functions of the television set 1 can be controlled, e.g. B. the selection of a specific station to be played.

The components 115 to 155 of the television set 1 are controlled by the control unit 160 , e.g. B. a microprocessor, controlled and monitored. Software is stored in a memory 175 for the operation of the microprocessor 160 , ie for the control and monitoring of the components 115 to 155 of the television set 1 . The memory 175 is a non-volatile memory, e.g. B. a PROM, EPROM, EEPORM or flash memory. An additional memory 170 , e.g. B. a RAM memory may be provided. The software, or portions thereof, are then loaded from the non-volatile memory 175 into the working memory 170 for operation. For a releasable electrical connection of the exchangeable storage unit 185 , a device 180 , for. B. provided a connector according to the PCMCIA standard. The exchangeable memory unit 185 can be designed, for example, as an EEPROM or flash memory. The replaceable memory unit 185 is particularly advantageously designed as a memory card, since known memory cards such as flash card, compact flash card, MMC, SMC, SD etc. are particularly easy to handle. For this purpose, the associated device 180 is attached to the television set 1 in such a way that the memory card 185 can be easily reached in order to be able to carry out an exchange particularly easily. The connector of the device 180 is therefore attached, for example, directly accessible on the front of the television set 1 . For design reasons, the connector of the device 180 can be attached behind a flap or panel. In order not to disturb the appearance of the television set 1 even when there is a memory card 185 in the device 180 , the flap or cover can be designed in such a way that it can also be closed when the memory card 185 is inserted into the connector of the device 180 .

If an exchangeable storage unit 185 is inserted into the associated device 180 and connected to the television set 1 , it can be provided in a first embodiment that the software stored in the exchangeable storage unit 185 completely or partially replaces the software stored in the non-volatile memory 175 of the television set 1 , This can take place, for example, under the control of the control unit 160 as soon as the control unit 160 recognizes that an exchangeable storage unit 185 is connected via the device 180 . The changes made to the memory content of the non-volatile memory 175 of the television set 1 in this way are retained even after the exchangeable memory unit 185 has been disconnected from the television set, ie has been removed from the associated device 185 . In order to use the content of the nonvolatile memory 175, as described, to modify or replace the nonvolatile memory 175 must be electrically erasable and writable, that is, the nonvolatile memory 175 must z. B. from a flash or EEPROM memory.

Likewise, in a second embodiment it can be provided that the software stored in the removable storage unit 185 is loaded into the working memory 170 of the television set in order to supplement, to replace, in whole or in part, the software of the television set, for example under the control of the control unit 160 , as soon as the control unit 160 recognizes that a removable storage unit 185 has been connected via the device 180 . The additions or changes made to the software of the television set 1 in this way are lost after the exchangeable memory unit 185 has been disconnected from the television set 1 , ie after this point in time the software stored in the non-volatile memory 175 of the television set 1 becomes operative for the operation of the television set 1 used and z. B. loaded into memory 170 . Instead of loading the software into the working memory 170 , provision can also be made for the software to be executed by the control unit 160 directly from the exchangeable storage unit 185 .

In a third embodiment, a combination of the first and second embodiments described above can be provided. In this case, software stored in the exchangeable storage unit 185 can either be directly executed or loaded into the working memory 170 for execution, as well as loaded into the non-volatile memory 175 of the television set 1 in order to completely or partially replace existing software there or to replace the existing software to complete.

In addition to the procedure described so far, in which software stored in the exchangeable storage unit 185 is loaded into one of the memories 170 , 175 of the television set 1 , it can also be provided that software of the television set 1 is written into the exchangeable storage unit 185 , ie the software the TV 1 is z. B. written under control of the control unit 160 via the associated device 180 in the removable memory 185 .

The term software used in connection with the description of the exemplary embodiments is to be understood to mean both software in the narrower sense, ie programs executable by the control unit 160 , and data which arise during the operation of the television set 1 itself, such as. B. Operating or state values of certain components of the television set 1 . In addition, audio and / or video data, text data etc. can also be part of the software, which can be written into the removable memory 185 or read from the removable memory 185 .

The removable memory unit 185 can be used to expand the program code. The software or the program code stored in the exchangeable storage unit 185 is then stored in the non-volatile memory 175 of the television set 1 after the exchangeable storage unit 185 has been connected to the television set 1 via the associated device 180 . If the non-volatile memory 175 of the television set 1 is of a type that cannot be written to later, or if the non-volatile memory 175 of the television set has no additional capacity, the program code can also be loaded directly from the removable memory 185 into the main memory 170 if necessary , or directly from the removable memory 185 .

The exchangeable memory unit 185 can also be used to renew the software or the program code. The software or the program code stored in the exchangeable storage unit 185 is then stored in the non-volatile memory 175 of the television set 1 after the exchangeable storage unit 185 has been connected to the television set 1 via the associated device 180 . For this purpose, existing software or the program code in the non-volatile memory 175 is completely or partially replaced.

The exchangeable storage unit 185 can also be used to expand the features present in the television set 1 , ie device functions. Then, the software of the features to be supplemented stored in the exchangeable storage unit 185 is stored in the non-volatile memory 175 of the television set 1 after the exchangeable storage unit 185 has been connected to the television set 1 via the associated device 180 . If the non-volatile memory 175 of the television set 1 is of a type that cannot be written to later, or if the non-volatile memory 175 of the television set has no additional capacity, the software of the respective feature can also be transferred directly from the removable memory unit 185 into the main memory if necessary 170 can be loaded, or executed directly from the removable memory 185 . In addition, the removable feature storage unit 185 can be used to store data required for the feature. For example, the feature can be a picture-in-picture function in which the picture data to be reproduced are stored in the exchangeable storage unit 185 .

The exchangeable memory unit 185 can also serve to expand the memories 170 , 175 of the television set 1 . For example, the exchangeable storage unit 185 can expand the storage capacity for functions such as the picture-in-picture function already described, for Teletext, TeleWeb, Electronic Program Guide, etc.

The exchangeable storage unit 185 can also serve to reproduce audio and / or video data by means of the television set 1 or to record audio and / or video data of the television set 1 . For example, the audio and or video data can come from a digital camera. The data can be in known formats such as JPEG, GIF, MP3, etc.

The replaceable storage unit 185 can also be used to manage personal data. For example, data such as telephone numbers, addresses, birthdays, appointments, etc. can be entered using a keyboard of the remote control transmitter 150 and stored in the exchangeable storage unit 185 . The personal data can also be loaded and saved via an interface from a PC or PDA. For security purposes, it can be provided that the personal data are additionally stored in the non-volatile memory 175 of the television set 1 . The display 145 of the television set can be used to display the personal data. The personal data stored in the exchangeable storage unit 185 can then also be evaluated on other television sets which have an associated device 180 .

In addition to the described use of the exchangeable storage unit 185 for managing personal data, personal settings of the television set 1 can also be stored in the exchangeable storage unit 185 . For example, settings such as program assignment, installation, configuration, etc. can be stored in the removable memory unit 185 .

• - Menüsprache;
• - TV-Guideeinstellungen, wie TV-Guide ein/aus, Anbieter, Aktuallisierung im Standby, Automatische Eingrenzung ein/aus, Dauer der Programmeinblednung, Programmabgleich;
• - TeleWebeinstellungem, wie TeleWeb ein/aus, Anbieter, aktualisieren im Standby;
• - Geräteanschlüsse, insbesondere welche externen Geräte sind an welcher Schnittstelle bzw. Buchse angeschlossen;
• - AV-Schnittstelleneinstellungen wie RGB-Wiedergabe ein/aus, RGB-Pegel, Megalogic ein/aus;
• - Schnittstelleneingabe bzw. Buchseneingabe ein/aus
• - Einschlaten mit zuletzt vor dem Ausschalten gewählten Programmplatz oder mit Programmplatz 1;
• - OSD-Einblendungen ein/aus, insbesondere den Lautstärkebalken ein/aus schalten;
• - Megalogic info ein/aus;
• - Statusanzeige unten/oben;
• - Farbdeckung, Rotation, Bildschärfe und Rauschreduktion für alle Programme;
• - Lautsprecherinstallation extern/intern, Sitzposition des Nutzers auswählbar;
• - SAT-Einstellungen, Anzahl der vorhandenen LNBs;
• - Bildeinstellungen wie Helligkeit, Kontrast, Farbe, Schärfe, Format, Weißbalance, Rauschreduktion, Kammfilter, Flimmerreduktion, insbesondere für jeden Programmplatz individuell;
• - Toneinstellungen wie Soundeinstellungen, insbesondere Stereo, Mono, Dolby Surround, Dolby Pro Logic; Balance, Klang, Kopfhörereinstellungen, programmplatzbezogene Lautstärkeanpassung, Dynamikbegrenzung ein/aus, Maximalpegelbegrenzung, Minimalpegelanhebung.

The following can be stored on the replaceable storage unit 185 as installation settings / configuration settings:

• - menu language;
• - TV guide settings, such as TV guide on / off, provider, update in standby, automatic limitation on / off, duration of the program integration, program comparison;
• - TeleWeb settings like TeleWeb on / off, provider, update in standby;
• - Device connections, in particular which external devices are connected to which interface or socket;
• - AV interface settings such as RGB playback on / off, RGB level, Megalogic on / off;
• - Interface input or socket input on / off
• - Start with the program position last selected before switching off or with program position 1 ;
• - Switch on / off OSD fades, in particular switch the volume bar on / off;
• - Megalogic info on / off;
• - status display below / above;
• - Color coverage, rotation, sharpness and noise reduction for all programs;
• - External / internal loudspeaker installation, user seating position can be selected;
• - SAT settings, number of existing LNBs;
• - Image settings such as brightness, contrast, color, sharpness, format, white balance, noise reduction, comb filter, flicker reduction, especially for each program position individually;
• - Sound settings such as sound settings, especially stereo, mono, Dolby Surround, Dolby Pro Logic; Balance, sound, headphone settings, program-related volume adjustment, dynamic limitation on / off, maximum level limitation, minimum level increase.

The personal settings of the television set 1 stored in the exchangeable storage unit 185 can then also be used on other television sets which have an associated device 180 without these personal settings having to be made by an operator. The personal settings stored in the removable storage unit can e.g. B. can only be used for the period during which the replaceable storage unit 185 is connected to the television set 1 via the associated device 180 . However, the personal settings can also be adopted in the non-volatile memory 175 of the television set 1 . Then these are also available after the exchangeable storage unit 185 has been removed from the associated device 180 .

In a further application it can be provided that the exchangeable memory unit 185 is used to carry out service functions and / or a diagnosis. In this case, the exchangeable memory unit 185 contains a service and / or diagnostic program, which is used, for example, for setting or checking one or more of the components of the television set 1 . In this case, for example, data can also be recorded that are generated during the operation of the television set 1 . After the removable storage unit 185 has been removed from the television set 1 , this operating data can be evaluated in order, for. B. to analyze faults or malfunctions of the television set 1 . This can be done, for example, using a service PC that is suitable for evaluating the stored operating data.

In order to avoid unauthorized use of the exchangeable storage unit 185 , it can be provided that the software stored in the exchangeable storage unit 185 is protected by a password. Access to the software is only possible if this password by means of e.g. B. the keyboard of the remote control transmitter 150 is entered.

To further protect against unauthorized use of the software stored on the exchangeable storage unit 185 , a counter can also be present in the exchangeable storage unit 185 , which counts the number of executions of the stored software and / or the number of loading processes of the stored software into the non-volatile memory 175 Televisions counts. If a maximum permissible number of executions and / or loading processes is exceeded, a further execution and / or a further loading process of the software stored on the exchangeable storage unit 185 is no longer possible.

Alternatively, a serial number of the television set 1 or the control unit 160 of the television set 1 to which the interchangeable storage unit 185 is to be assigned can be used to protect against unauthorized use of the software stored on the exchangeable storage unit 185 . The serial number is then stored in the removable storage unit 185 . If the exchangeable storage unit 185 is inserted into the associated device 180 of a television set 1 , a check is carried out before the software stored in the exchangeable storage unit 185 is executed to determine whether the serial number stored in the exchangeable storage unit matches the serial number of the television set 1 . If the serial numbers do not match, the software stored in the removable storage unit 185 is not executed.

As a further protective measure, it can be provided that the software and / or the serial number and / or the password are stored in protected form in the exchangeable storage unit 185 , for. B. in encrypted form.

Deviating from the described embodiments is a variety of Modifications possible.

For example, it can be provided that instead of the connection of the device 180 to the control unit 160 shown , the device 180 is connected directly to the non-volatile memory 175 and / or the working memory 170 .

In order to be able to save on components, it can also be provided that the television set 1 has no non-volatile memory 175 and / or no working memory 170 . In this case, the removable memory unit 185 serves as non-volatile memory and / or as working memory. In this case, it goes without saying that an exchangeable memory unit 185 must always be present for the operation of the television set 1 .

The control unit 160 can also be formed by a digital signal processor, or in addition to the control unit 160 there can be a digital signal processor which takes over parts of the signal processing. Then software for signal processing by the digital signal processor can also be supplemented, changed, etc. by means of the exchangeable memory unit 185 .

Claims (18)

1. System for handling software for a television set, characterized in that the television set ( 1 ) has a device ( 180 ) for connecting a card-shaped interchangeable memory unit ( 185 ), and in that the interchangeable memory unit ( 185 ) contains software for the television set , 2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the software stored in the removable memory unit ( 185 ) completely or partially replaces a software stored in a non-volatile memory ( 175 ) of the television set ( 1 ) after the removable memory unit ( 185 ) by means of the associated device ( 180 ) of the television has been connected to the television ( 1 ). 3. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the software stored in the exchangeable memory unit ( 185 ) is loaded into a working memory ( 170 ) of the television set ( 1 ) in order to supplement, completely or partially replace software of the television set and / or to form the working memory of the television set in whole or in part after the exchangeable storage unit ( 185 ) has been connected to the television set ( 1 ) by means of the associated device ( 180 ) of the television set, wherein after removal of the exchangeable storage unit ( 185 ) the originally existing software in the non-volatile memory ( 175 ) is loaded into the main memory ( 170 ) of the television set ( 1 ). 4. System according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the software stored in the removable memory unit ( 185 ) partially replaces the software stored in the non-volatile memory ( 175 ) of the television ( 1 ), and that parts of the in the removable memory unit ( 185 ) stored software can be loaded into the main memory ( 170 ) of the television set ( 1 ). 5. System according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that software of the television set ( 1 ) is stored in the exchangeable memory unit ( 185 ). 6. System according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the replaceable memory unit ( 185 ) extends the memory ( 170 , 175 ) of the television set. 7. TV set for use in a system according to one of the Claims 1 to 6. 8. Card-shaped removable storage unit for use in one System according to one of claims 1 to 6. 9. Card-shaped exchangeable storage unit according to claim 8, characterized in that the exchangeable storage unit ( 185 ) contains a non-volatile memory. 10. Card-shaped exchangeable storage unit according to claim 9, characterized in that the non-volatile memory is a flash or EEPROM memory. 11. Card-shaped interchangeable memory unit according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the software stored in the interchangeable memory unit ( 185 ) is protected against unauthorized use. 12. Card-shaped exchangeable storage unit according to claim 11, characterized in that the software through encryption and / or a password and / or a Serial number and / or a counter showing the frequency of use detects, is protected. 13. Card-shaped exchangeable storage unit according to one of claims 8 until 12, characterized in that the software program code and / or audio data and / or video data and / or service functions and / or diagnostic functions and / or includes personal data and / or personal settings. 14. A method for handling software for a television set, characterized in that a card-shaped interchangeable memory unit ( 185 ) is connected to the television set ( 1 ), and in that in the interchangeable memory unit ( 185 ) stored software is used by the television set ( 1 ) , 15. The method claim 14, characterized in that a software of the television ( 1 ) by the in the replaceable memory unit ( 185 ) software is completely or partially replaced after the removable memory unit ( 185 ) has been connected to the television ( 1 ) , 16. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that a software of the television ( 1 ) by the software stored in the replaceable storage unit ( 185 ) is replaced in whole or in part after the exchangeable storage unit ( 185 ) has been connected to the television ( 1 ) the original software of the television ( 1 ) being reused after the removable memory ( 185 ) has been removed. 17. The method according to claims 15 and 16, characterized in that the software stored in the removable memory unit ( 185 ) partially replaces the software of the television ( 1 ), and that parts of the original software of the television ( 1 ) are reused after the removable memory ( 185 ) has been removed. 18. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that software of the television set ( 1 ) is stored in the exchangeable memory unit ( 185 ).