US6343379B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Receiver and program updating method
Assignee: Saturn Licensing LLC
•
Filing: 1999-03-18
•
Granted: 2002-01-29
•
Expires: 2019-03-18
Abstract
Abstract A receiver, such as that used in broadcasting, is provided with a simplified structure for storing and updating the receiver's control program and for preventing a loss of the control program because of a power outage during such updating. The structure includes a first storage means comprising an erasable, non-volatile memory and a second storage means comprising a volatile memory. The control program is stored in the first storage means and is executed to download and store a second program in the second storage means. The second program then is executed to download and store an updated version of the control program in the first storage means.
Inventors
- 👤 Toshiro Ozawa
- 👤 Koichi Oyama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:28
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04H; H04H20/00; H04H20/86; H04H20/91; G; G06; G06F; G06F8/00; G06F8/60; G06F8/65; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/80; H04N21/81; H04N21/8166; H04H60/00; H04H60/25
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A receiver for receiving a broadcast signal and for transmitting said signal to a device for display, said receiver being operated in accordance with a predetermined control program and comprising: a first memory storing said control program; a second memory; a demultiplexer for separating from said broadcast signal an updated version of said control program and a second program for downloading and storing said updated version of said control program; and a processing unit for processing said control program, said updated version of said control program and said second program, said processing unit being operative to process said control program from said first memory to load said second program into said second memory and to process said second program from said second memory to replace in said first memory said control program with said updated version of said control program.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
A receiver for receiving a broadcast signal and for transmitting said signal to a device for display, said receiver being operated in accordance with a predetermined control program and comprising: a first memory storing said control program; a second memory; a demultiplexer for separating from said broadcast signal an updated version of said control program and a second program for downloading and storing said updated version of said control program; and a processing unit for processing said control program, said updated version of said control program and said second program, said processing unit being operative to process said control program from said first memory to load said second program into said second memory and to process said second program from said second memory to replace in said first memory said control program with said updated version of said control program.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A receiver as in claim 1 , wherein said processing unit is further operative to copy said second program from said second memory to said first memory.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A receiver as in claim 1 , wherein said first memory comprises an erasable, non-volatile memory and said second memory comprises a volatile memory.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A receiver as in claim 3 , wherein said first memory comprises a flash memory or an EEPROM and said second memory comprises a RAM.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
122 words
A receiver for receiving a broadcast signal and for transmitting said signal to a device for display, said receiver being operated in accordance with a predetermined control program and comprising: a first memory storing said control program and a second program for downloading from said broadcast signal an updated version of said control program; a second memory; and a processing unit for processing said control program, said updated version of said control program and said second program, said processing unit being operative to copy said second program from said first memory to said second memory and to process said second program from said second memory to replace in said first memory said control program with said updated version of said control program.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
122 words
A receiver for receiving a broadcast signal and for transmitting said signal to a device for display, said receiver being operated in accordance with a predetermined control program and comprising: a first memory storing said control program and a second program for downloading from said broadcast signal an updated version of said control program; a second memory; and a processing unit for processing said control program, said updated version of said control program and said second program, said processing unit being operative to copy said second program from said first memory to said second memory and to process said second program from said second memory to replace in said first memory said control program with said updated version of said control program.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A receiver as in claim 5 , wherein said processing unit is further operative to process said control program from said first memory to download from said broadcast signal said second program into said second memory.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A receiver as in claim 6 , wherein said processing unit is further operative to copy said second program from said second memory to said first memory.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A receiver as in claim 5 , wherein said first memory comprises an erasable, non-volatile memory and said second memory comprises a volatile memory.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A receiver as in claim 8 , wherein said first memory comprises a flash memory or an EEPROM and said second memory comprises a RAM.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
143 words
A receiver operated in accordance with a predetermined control program and a second program for obtaining and storing an updated version of said control program, said receiver comprising: a first memory storing a starter program for determining the validity of said control program; a second memory storing said control program; a third memory; and a processing unit for processing said starter program, said control program, said updated version of said control program and said second program, said processing unit being operative to process said starter program from said first memory to determine the validity of said control program, to process said control program from said second memory to load said second program into said third memory and to process said second program from said third memory to replace in said second memory said control program with said updated version of said control program.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
143 words
A receiver operated in accordance with a predetermined control program and a second program for obtaining and storing an updated version of said control program, said receiver comprising: a first memory storing a starter program for determining the validity of said control program; a second memory storing said control program; a third memory; and a processing unit for processing said starter program, said control program, said updated version of said control program and said second program, said processing unit being operative to process said starter program from said first memory to determine the validity of said control program, to process said control program from said second memory to load said second program into said third memory and to process said second program from said third memory to replace in said second memory said control program with said updated version of said control program.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
A receiver as in claim 10 , wherein said processing unit is further operative to process said control program from said second memory to download from a broadcast signal received by said receiver said second program into said third memory.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
A receiver as in claim 11 , wherein said processing unit is further operative to process said second program from said third memory to download from said broadcast signal said updated version of said control program into said second memory.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A receiver as in claim 10 , wherein said processing unit is further operative to copy said second program from said third memory to said second memory.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A receiver as in claim 10 , wherein said first and second memories comprise non-volatile memories and said third memory comprises a volatile memory.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
A receiver as in claim 14 , wherein said first memory comprises a ROM, said second memory comprises a flash memory or an EEPROM and said third memory comprises a RAM.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
130 words
A receiver for receiving a broadcast signal, said receiver being operated in accordance with a predetermined control program and a second program for obtaining and storing an updated version of said control program, said receiver comprising: a first memory storing said control program; a second memory; and a processing unit for processing said control program, said updated version of said control program and said second program, said processing unit being operative to process said control program from said first memory to load said second program into said second memory and to process said second program from said second memory to download from said broadcast signal said updated version of said control program and to replace in said first memory said control program with said updated version of said control program.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
130 words
A receiver for receiving a broadcast signal, said receiver being operated in accordance with a predetermined control program and a second program for obtaining and storing an updated version of said control program, said receiver comprising: a first memory storing said control program; a second memory; and a processing unit for processing said control program, said updated version of said control program and said second program, said processing unit being operative to process said control program from said first memory to load said second program into said second memory and to process said second program from said second memory to download from said broadcast signal said updated version of said control program and to replace in said first memory said control program with said updated version of said control program.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
A receiver as in claim 16 , wherein said processing unit is further operative to process said control program from said first memory to download from said broadcast signal said second program into said second memory.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
A receiver as in claim 16 , wherein said processing unit is further operative to copy said second program from said second memory to said first memory.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
A receiver as in claim 16 , wherein said first memory comprises an erasable, non-volatile memory and said second memory comprises a volatile memory.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
A receiver as in claim 19 , wherein said first memory comprises a flash memory or an EEPROM and said second memory comprises a RAM.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for updating a control program for a receiver, said receiver receiving a broadcast signal and transmitting said signal to a device for display, said method comprising: storing said control program in a first memory; obtaining from said broadcast signal an updated version of said control program and a second program for downloading and storing said updated version of said control program; processing said control program from said first memory to load said second program into a second memory; and processing said second program from said second memory to download from said broadcast signal said updated version of said control program and replace in said first memory said control program with said updated version of said control program.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for updating a control program for a receiver, said receiver receiving a broadcast signal and transmitting said signal to a device for display, said method comprising: storing said control program in a first memory; obtaining from said broadcast signal an updated version of said control program and a second program for downloading and storing said updated version of said control program; processing said control program from said first memory to load said second program into a second memory; and processing said second program from said second memory to download from said broadcast signal said updated version of said control program and replace in said first memory said control program with said updated version of said control program.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 21 , further comprising copying said second program from said second memory to said first memory.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 21 , wherein said first memory comprises an erasable, non-volatile memory and said second memory comprises a volatile memory.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 23 , wherein said first memory comprises a flash memory or an EEPROM and said second memory comprises a RAM.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for updating a control program for a receiver, said receiver receiving a broadcast signal and transmitting said signal to a device for display, said method comprising: storing in a first memory said control program and a second program for downloading from said broadcast signal an updated version of said control program; copying said second program from said first memory to a second memory; and processing said second program from said second memory to replace in said first memory said control program with said updated version of said control program.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for updating a control program for a receiver, said receiver receiving a broadcast signal and transmitting said signal to a device for display, said method comprising: storing in a first memory said control program and a second program for downloading from said broadcast signal an updated version of said control program; copying said second program from said first memory to a second memory; and processing said second program from said second memory to replace in said first memory said control program with said updated version of said control program.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 25 , further comprising processing said control program from said first memory to download from said broadcast signal said second program into said second memory.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 26 , further comprising copying said second program from said second memory to aid first memory.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 25 , wherein said first memory comprises an erasable, non-volatile memory and aid second memory comprises a volatile memory.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 28 , wherein said first memory comprises a flash memory or an EEPROM and said second memory comprises a RAM.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for updating a control program for a receiver, said receiver operating in accordance with said control program and a second program for obtaining and storing an updated version of said control program, said method comprising: storing in a first memory a starter program for determining the validity of said control program; storing said control program in a second memory; processing said starter program from said first memory to determine the validity of said control program; processing said control program from said second memory to load said second program into a third memory; and processing said second program from said third memory to replace in said second memory said control program with said updated version of said control program.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for updating a control program for a receiver, said receiver operating in accordance with said control program and a second program for obtaining and storing an updated version of said control program, said method comprising: storing in a first memory a starter program for determining the validity of said control program; storing said control program in a second memory; processing said starter program from said first memory to determine the validity of said control program; processing said control program from said second memory to load said second program into a third memory; and processing said second program from said third memory to replace in said second memory said control program with said updated version of said control program.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method as in claim 30 , further comprising processing said control program from said second memory to download from a broadcast signal received by said receiver said second program into said third memory and processing said second program from said third memory to download from said broadcast signal said updated version of said control program into said second memory.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 30 , further comprising copying said second program from said third memory to said second memory.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 30 , wherein said first and second memories comprise non-volatile memories and said third memory comprises a volatile memory.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as in claim 33 , wherein said first memory comprises a ROM, said second memory comprises a flash memory or an EEPROM and said third memory comprises a RAM.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for updating a control program for a receiver of a broadcast signal, said receiver operating in accordance with said control program and a second program for obtaining and storing an updated version of said control program, said method comprising: storing said control program in a first memory; processing said control program from said first memory to load said second program into said second memory; and processing said second program from said second memory to download from said broadcast signal said updated version of said control program and replace in said first memory said control program with said updated version of said control program.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for updating a control program for a receiver of a broadcast signal, said receiver operating in accordance with said control program and a second program for obtaining and storing an updated version of said control program, said method comprising: storing said control program in a first memory; processing said control program from said first memory to load said second program into said second memory; and processing said second program from said second memory to download from said broadcast signal said updated version of said control program and replace in said first memory said control program with said updated version of said control program.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 35 , further comprising processing said control program from said first memory to download from said broadcast signal said second program into said second memory.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 35 , further comprising copying said second program from said second memory to said first memory.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 35 , wherein said first memory comprises an erasable, non-volatile memory and said second memory comprises a volatile memory.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 38 , wherein said first memory comprises a flash memory or an EEPROM and said second memory comprises a RAM.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5003591A
Cited
US5623604A
Cited
US5440632A
Cited
US5644594A
Cited
US5526435A
Cited
US5812857A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-01-28 | 2005-07-30 | 2006-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-01-28 | 2009-07-30 | 2010-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-01-28 | 2013-07-30 | 2014-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |