Control program downloading method for replacing control program in digital broadcast receiving apparatus with new control program sent from digital broadcast transmitting apparatus

A control program downloading method that is used by a digital broadcast receiving apparatus equipped with a storing device which stores in advance a control program made up of an update program used for download of a new control program and a non-update program used for processing other than the download of the new control program, the new control program being made up of a new update program and a new non-update program, the control program downloading method comprising:

• a judging step for repeatedly judging whether writing of the new update program has been completed, having a first controlling step operate until completion of the writing of the new update program, and having a second controlling step operate after the completion of the writing of the new update program;
• the first controlling step for executing the update program stored in the storing device to receive the new update program and write the received new update program over data stored in a first area in the storing device that is a part of an area where the non-update program has been stored, and, at the same time, receive a first non-update program which is a part of the new non-update program and write the received first non-update program over data stored in a second area, aside from the first area, that is a part of the area where the non-update program has been stored;
• and
• the second controlling step for executing the new update program written in the storing device to take over reception and writing of the first non-update program and, at the same time, receive a second non-update program which is a part of the new non-update program other than the first non-update program and write the received second non-update program over data stored in a third area in the storing device aside from the second area and an area where the new update program which is currently being used is stored.

A control program downloading method that is used by a digital broadcast receiving apparatus to download a transmitted control program of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus,

• the control program being made up of subprograms of different types which are each divided into divisions and are repeatedly transmitted in a predetermined sequence in units of divisions, each of the divisions being accompanied by a current identifier specifying a type of a subprogram that the division belongs to,
• the control program downloading method comprising:
• a receiving step for receiving the subprograms in units of divisions;
• a judging step for judging, with reference to a current identifier appended to a received division, whether the received division belongs to a priority subprogram which is given priority for being downloaded, a concurrency subprogram which can be downloaded concurrently with the priority subprogram, or a subprogram which is neither the priority subprogram nor the concurrency subprogram;
• and
• a downloading step for downloading the received division which is judged as belonging to any of the priority subprogram and the concurrency subprogram.

A control program transmitting method for transmitting a control program of a program receiving apparatus, comprising:

• an acquiring step for acquiring the control program made up of an update program to be used in the program receiving apparatus for download of the control program and a non-update program to be used in the program receiving apparatus for processing other than the download of the control program;
• a dividing step for dividing each of the update program and the non-update program into divisions which are each accompanied by a serial number;
• an identifier appending step for appending a first identifier and a second identifier respectively to each division of the update program and each division of the non-update program;
• and
• a transmitting step for repeatedly transmitting, in sequence, every division to which any of the first identifier and the second identifier is appended.

A control program transmitting method for transmitting a control program of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus, comprising:

• an acquiring step for acquiring the control program made up of an update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for download of the control program and a non-update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for processing other than the download of the control program;
• a separating step for separating the non-update program into a first non-update program whose data size is no smaller than the update program and a second non-update program other than the first non-update program;
• a dividing step for dividing each of the update program, the first non-update program, and the second non-update program into divisions which are each accompanied by a serial number;
• an identifier appending step for appending a first identifier to each division of the update program, a second identifier to each division of the first non-update program, and a third identifier to each division of the second non-update program;
• and
• a transmitting step for repeatedly transmitting, in sequence, every division to which any of the first identifier, the second identifier, and the third identifier is appended.

A control program transmitting method for transmitting a control program of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus, comprising:

• a control program acquiring step for acquiring the control program which is made up of an update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for download of the control program and a non-update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for processing other than the download of the control program;
• a data size acquiring step for acquiring a data size obtained by subtracting a size of an area prepared in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for an increase of codes associated with download of the non-update program, from a data size of the update program;
• a separating step for separating the non-update program into a first non-update program whose data size is no smaller than the data size acquired in the data size acquiring step and a second non-update program other than the first non-update program;
• a dividing step for dividing each of the update program, the first non-update program, and the second non-update program into divisions which are each accompanied by a serial number;
• an identifier appending step for appending a first identifier to each division of the update program, a second identifier to each division of the first non-update program, and a third identifier to each division of the second non-update program;
• and
• a transmitting step for repeatedly transmitting, in sequence, every division to which any of the first identifier, the second identifier, and the third identifier is appended.

A control program transmitting method for transmitting a control program of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus, comprising:

• an acquiring step for acquiring the control program which is made up of an update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for download of the control program and a non-update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for processing other than the download of the control program;
• a separating step for separating a first portion from the non-update program, combining the first portion with the update program to form a first control program whose data size is approximately 1/M of the control program, separating a second portion whose data size is equal to the first control program from the non-update program aside from the first portion, setting the second portion as a second control program, and dividing the non-update program aside from the first portion and the second portion by approximately (M−2) into third to Mth control programs, where M is an even number no less than 4;
• a dividing step for dividing each of the first control program, the second control program, and the third to Mth control programs into divisions of similar size;
• an identifier appending step for appending a first identifier and a second identifier respectively to each division of the first control program and each division of the second control program, evenly sorting the third to Mth control programs into a first program group and a second program group, and appending a third identifier and a fourth identifier respectively to each division of the first program group and each division of the second program group;
• and
• a transmitting step for repeatedly transmitting, when every division with any of the first identifier and the third identifier is grouped as a first set and every division with any of the second identifier and the fourth identifier is grouped as a second set, the first set and the second set alternately in units of divisions.

A control program transmitting method for transmitting a control program of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus, comprising:

• an acquiring step for acquiring the control program made up of subprograms of different types;
• a dividing step for dividing each of the subprograms into divisions;
• an appending step for appending, to each of the divisions, a current identifier specifying a type of a subprogram which the division belongs to, priority information showing a priority subprogram which is given priority for being downloaded, and concurrency information showing a concurrency subprogram which can be downloaded concurrently with the priority subprogram;
• and
• a transmitting step for repeatedly transmitting, in sequence, every division to which the current identifier, the priority information, and the concurrency information is appended.

A computer-readable storing medium storing any of an old control program and a new control program of a program receiving apparatus,

• the program receiving apparatus being equipped with a storing device which stores the old control program in advance,
• the old control program being made up of an old update program used for download of the new control program and an old non-update program used for processing other than the download of the new control program,
• the new control program being made up of a new update program used for the download of the new control program and a new non-update program used for processing other than the download of the new control program,
• the computer-readable storing medium, when implemented in a computer enables an installation of the new control program with an efficient allocation of the storage area of the storing device relative to writing over the old control program,
• the old control program and the new control program comprising:
• a first controlling step for executing the old update program stored in the storing device to receive the new update program and write the received new update program over the old non-update program stored in a first area in the storing device;
• and
• a second controlling step for executing, once the first controlling step has finished writing the new update program into the storing device, the new update program to receive the new non-update program and write the received new non-update program over data stored in a second area in the storing device aside from an area where the new update program that is currently being used is stored,
• wherein the new update program is divided into divisions which are each accompanied by a first identifier and a serial number, and is received in units of divisions,
• wherein the new non-update program is divided into divisions which are each accompanied by a second identifier and a serial number, and is received in units of divisions,
• wherein in the first controlling step, if the first identifier is appended to a received division of the new control program, the received division is judged as belonging to the new update program and a location where the received division is to be written is specified within the first area based on a serial number appended to the received division, and
• wherein in the second controlling step, if the second identifier is appended to a received division of the new control program, the received division is judged as belonging to the new non-update program and a location where the received division is to be written is specified within the second area based on a serial number appended to the received division.

A computer-readable storing medium storing any of an old control program and a new control program of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus,

• the digital broadcast receiving apparatus being equipped with a storing device which stores the old control program in advance,
• the old control program being made up of an old update program used for download of the new control program and an old non-update program used for processing other than the download of the new control program,
• the new control program being made up of a new update program used for the download of the new control program and a new non-update program used for processing other than the download of the new control program,
• the computer-readable storing medium, when implemented in a computer enables an installation of the new control program with an efficient allocation of the storage area of the storing device relative to writing over the old control program,
• the old control program and the new control program comprising:
• a judging step for repeatedly judging whether writing of the new update program has been completed, having a first controlling step operate until completion of the writing of the new update program, and having a second controlling step operate after the completion of the writing of the new update program;
• the first controlling step for executing the old update program stored in the storing device to receive the new update program and write the received new update program over data stored in a first area in the storing device that is a part of an area where the old non-update program has been stored, and, at the same time, receive a first non-update program which is a part of the new non-update program and write the received first non-update program over data stored in a second area, aside from the first area, that is a part of the area where the old non-update program has been stored;
• and
• the second controlling step for executing the new update program written in the storing device to take over reception and writing of the first non-update program and, at the same time, receive a second non-update program which is a part of the new non-update program other than the first non-update program and write the received second non-update program over data stored in a third area in the storing device aside from the second area and an area where the new update program which is currently being used is stored.

A computer-readable storing medium storing a control program of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus that is to download the control program transmitted to the digital broadcast receiving apparatus,

• the control program being made up of a subprograms of different types which are each divided into divisions and are repeatedly transmitted in a predetermined sequence in units of divisions, each of the divisions being accompanied by a current identifier specifying to a type of a subprogram which the division belongs to,
• the digital broadcast receiving apparatus will implement the execution of the control program to prioritize the downloading of divisions of the subprograms,
• the control program comprising:
• a receiving step for receiving the subprograms in units of divisions;
• a judging step for judging, with reference to a current identifier appended to a received division, whether the received division belongs to a priority subprogram which is given priority for being downloaded, a concurrency subprogram which can be downloaded concurrently with the priority subprogram, or a subprogram which is neither the priority subprogram nor the concurrency subprogram;
• and
• a downloading step for downloading the received division which is judged as belonging to any of the priority subprogram and the concurrency subprogram.

A computer-readable storing medium storing a control program transmission program for transmitting a control program of a program receiving apparatus, the program receiving apparatus will implement the execution and installation of the control program by the control program transmission program, the control program transmission program comprising:

• an acquiring step for acquiring the control program made up of an update program to be used in the program receiving apparatus for download of the control program and a non-update program to be used in the program receiving apparatus for processing other than the download of the control program;
• a dividing step for dividing each of the update program and the non-update program into divisions which are each accompanied by a serial number;
• an identifier appending step for appending a first identifier and a second identifier respectively to each division of the update program and each division of the non-update program;
• and
• a transmitting step for repeatedly transmitting, in sequence, every division to which any of the first identifier and the second identifier is appended.

A computer-readable storing medium storing a control program transmission program for transmitting a control program of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus will implement the execution and installation of the control program by the control program transmission program, the control program transmission program comprising:

• an acquiring step for acquiring the control program made up of an update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for download of the control program and a non-update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for processing other than the download of the control program;
• a separating step for separating the non-update program into a first non-update program whose data size is no smaller than the update program and a second non-update program other than the first non-update program;
• a dividing step for dividing each of the update program, the first non-update program, and the second non-update program into divisions which are each accompanied by a serial number;
• an identifier appending step for appending a first identifier to each division of the update program, a second identifier to each division of the first non-update program, and a third identifier to each division of the second non-update program;
• and
• a transmitting step for repeatedly transmitting, in sequence, every division to which any of the first identifier, the second identifier, and the third identifier is appended.

A computer-readable storing medium storing a control program transmission program for transmitting a control program of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus will implement the execution and installation of the control program by the control program transmission program, the control program transmission program comprising:

• a control program acquiring step for acquiring the control program which is made up of an update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for download of the control program and a non-update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for processing other than the download of the control program;
• a data size acquiring step for acquiring a data size obtained by subtracting a size of an area prepared in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for an increase of codes associated with download of the non-update program, from a data size of the update program;
• a separating step for separating the non-update program into a first non-update program whose data size is no smaller than the data size acquired in the data size acquiring step and a second non-update program other than the first non-update program;
• a dividing step for dividing each of the update program, the first non-update program, and the second non-update program into divisions which are each accompanied by a serial number;
• an identifier appending step for appending a first identifier to each division of the update program, a second identifier to each division of the first non-update program, and a third identifier to each division of the second non-update program;
• and
• a transmitting step for repeatedly transmitting, in sequence, every division to which any of the first identifier, the second identifier, and the third identifier is appended.

A computer-readable storing medium storing a control program transmission program for transmitting a control program of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus will implement the execution and installation of the control program by the control program transmission program, the control program transmission program comprising:

• an acquiring step for acquiring the control program which is made up of an update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for download of the control program and a non-update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for processing other than the download of the control program;
• a separating step for separating a first portion from the non-update program, combining the first portion with the update program to form a first control program whose data size is approximately 1/M of the control program, separating a second portion whose data size is equal to the first control program from the non-update program aside from the first portion, setting the second portion as a second control program, and dividing the non-update program aside from the first portion and the second portion by approximately (M−2) into third to Mth control programs, where M is an even number no less than 4;
• a dividing step for dividing each of the first control program, the second control program, and the third to Mth control programs into divisions of similar size;
• an identifier appending step for appending a first identifier and a second identifier respectively to each division of the first control program and each division of the second control program, evenly sorting the third to Mth control programs into a first program group and a second program group, and appending a third identifier and a fourth identifier respectively to each division of the first program group and each division of the second program group;
• and
• a transmitting step for repeatedly transmitting, when every division with any of the first identifier and the third identifier is grouped as a first set and every division with any of the second identifier and the fourth identifier is grouped as a second set, the first set and the second set alternately in units of divisions.

A computer-readable storing medium storing a control program transmission program for transmitting a control program of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus will implement the execution and installation of the control program by the control program transmission program, the control program transmission program comprising:

• an acquiring step for acquiring the control program made up of subprograms of different types;
• a dividing step for dividing each of the subprograms into divisions;
• an appending step for appending, to each of the divisions, a current identifier specifying a type of a subprogram which the division belongs to, priority information showing a priority subprogram which is given priority for being downloaded, and concurrency information showing a concurrency subprogram which can be downloaded concurrently with the priority subprogram;
• and
• a transmitting step for repeatedly transmitting, in sequence, every division to which the current identifier, the priority information, and the concurrency information is appended.

A control program downloading apparatus, comprising:

• storing means for storing in advance a control program made up of an update program used for download of a new control program and a non-update program used for processing other than the download of the new control program, the new control program being made up of a new update program and a new non-update program:
• first controlling means for executing the update program stored in the storing means to receive the new update program and write the received new update program over the non-update program stored in a first area in the storing means;
• and
• second controlling means for executing, once the first controlling means has finished writing the new update program into the storing means, the new update program to receive the new non-update program and write the received new non-update program over data stored in a second area in the storing means aside from an area where the new update program that is currently being used is stored,
• wherein the new update program is divided into divisions which are each accompanied by a first identifier and a serial number, and is received in units of divisions,
• wherein the new non-update program is divided into divisions which are each accompanied by a second identifier and a serial number, and is received in units of divisions,
• wherein if the first identifier is appended to a received division of the new control program, the first controlling means judges the received division as belonging to the new update program, and specifies a location where the received division is to be written within the first area based on a serial number appended to the received division, and
• wherein if the second identifier is appended to a received division of the new control program, the second controlling means judges the received division as belonging to the new non-update program, and specifies a location where the received division is to be written within the second area based on a serial number appended to the received division.

A computer program downloading apparatus, comprising:

• storing means for storing in advance a control program made up of an update program used for download of a new control program and a non-update program used for processing other than the download of the new control program, the new control program being made up of a new update program and a new non-update program;
• judging means for repeatedly judging whether writing of the new update program has been completed, having first controlling means operate until completion of the writing of the new update program, and having second controlling means operate after the completion of the writing of the new update program;
• the first controlling means for executing the update program stored in the storing means to receive the new update program and write the received new update program over data stored in a first area in the storing means that is a part of an area where the on-update program has been stored, and, at the same time, receive a first non-update program which is a part of the new non-update program and write the received first non-update program over data stored in a second area, aside from the first area, that is a part of the area where the non-update program has been stored;
• and
• the second controlling means for executing the new update program written in the storing means to take over reception and writing of the first non-update program and, at the same time, receive a second non-update program which is a part of the new non-update program other than the first non-update program and write the received second non-update program over data stored in a third area in the storing means aside from the second area and an area where the new update program which is currently being used is stored.

A control program downloading apparatus for downloading a transmitted control program of the control program downloading apparatus,

• the control program being made up of subprograms of different types which are each divided into divisions and are repeatedly transmitted in a predetermined sequence in units of divisions, each of the divisions being accompanied by a current identifier that specifies a type of a subprogram which the division belongs to,
• the control program downloading apparatus comprising:
• receiving means for receiving the subprograms in units of divisions;
• judging means for judging, with reference to a current identifier appended to a received division, whether the received division belongs to a priority subprogram which is given priority for being downloaded, a concurrency subprogram which can be downloaded concurrently with the priority subprogram, or a subprogram which is neither the priority subprogram nor the concurrency subprogram;
• and
• downloading means for downloading the received division which is judged as belonging to any of the priority subprogram and the concurrency subprogram.

A control program transmitting apparatus for transmitting a control program of a program receiving apparatus, comprising:

• acquiring means for acquiring the control program made up of an update program to be used in the program receiving apparatus for download of the control program and a non-update program to be used in the program receiving apparatus for processing other than the download of the control program;
• dividing means for dividing each of the update program and the non-update program into divisions which are each accompanied by a serial number;
• identifier appending means for appending a first identifier and a second identifier respectively to each division of the update program and each division of the non-update program;
• and
• transmitting means for repeatedly transmitting, in sequence, every division to which any of the first identifier and the second identifier is appended.

A control program transmitting apparatus for transmitting a control program of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus, comprising:

• acquiring means for acquiring the control program made up of an update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for download of the control program and a non-update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for processing other than the download of the control program;
• separating means for separating the non-update program into a first non-update program whose data size is no smaller than the update program and a second non-update program other than the first non-update program;
• dividing means for dividing each of the update program, the first non-update program, and the second non-update program into divisions which are each accompanied by a serial number;
• identifier appending means for appending a first identifier to each division of the update program, a second identifier to each division of the first non-update program, and a third identifier to each division of the second non-update program;
• and
• transmitting means for repeatedly transmitting, in sequence, every division to which any of the first identifier, the second identifier, and the third identifier is appended.

A control program transmitting apparatus for transmitting a control program of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus, comprising:

• control program acquiring means for acquiring the control program which is made up of an update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for download of the control program and a non-update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for processing other than the download of the control program;
• data size acquiring means for acquiring a data size obtained by subtracting a size of an area prepared in the digital Broadcast receiving apparatus for an increase of codes associated with download of the non-update program, from a data size of the update program;
• separating means for separating the non-update program into a first non-update program whose data size is no smaller than the data size acquired by the data size acquiring means and a second non-update program other than the first non-update program;
• dividing means for dividing each of the update program, the first non-update program, and the second non-update program into divisions which are each accompanied by a serial number;
• identifier appending means for appending a first identifier to each division of the update program, a second identifier to each division of the first non-update program, and a third identifier to each division of the second non-update program;
• and
• transmitting means for repeatedly transmitting, in sequence, every division to which any of the first identifier, the second identifier, and the third identifier is appended.

A control program transmitting apparatus for transmitting a control program of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus, comprising:

• acquiring means for acquiring the control program which is made up of an update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for download of the control program and a non-update program to be used in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus for processing other than the download of the control program;
• separating means for separating a first portion from the non-update program, combining the first portion with the update program to form a first control program whose data size is approximately 1/M of the control program, separating a second portion whose data size is equal to the first control program from the non-update program aside from the first portion, setting the second portion as a second control program, and dividing the non-update program aside from the first portion and the second portion by approximately (M−2) into third to Mth control programs, where M is an even number no less than 4;
• dividing means for dividing each of the first control program, the second control program, and the third to Mth control programs into divisions of similar size;
• identifier appending means for appending a first identifier and a second identifier respectively to each division of the first control program and each division of the second control program, evenly sorting the third to Mth control programs into a first program group and a second program group, and appending a third identifier and a fourth identifier respectively to each division of the first program group and each division of the second program group;
• and
• transmitting means for repeatedly transmitting, when every division with any of the first identifier and the third identifier is grouped as a first set and every division with any of the second identifier and the fourth identifier is grouped as second set, the first set and the second set alternately in units of divisions.

A control program transmitting apparatus for transmitting a control program of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus, comprising:

• acquiring means for acquiring the control program made up of subprograms of different types;
• dividing means for dividing each of the subprograms into divisions;
• appending means for appending, to each of the divisions, a current identifier specifying a type of a subprogram which the division belongs to, priority information showing a priority subprogram which is given priority for being downloaded, and concurrency information showing a concurrency subprogram which can be downloaded concurrently with the priority subprogram;
• and
• transmitting means for repeatedly transmitting, in sequence, every division to which the current identifier, the priority information, and the concurrency information is appended.