JP3169980B2 - Semi-fixed data rewriting device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[Object of the Invention]

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a semi-fixed data rewriting device for rewriting and changing semi-fixed data which changes sequentially in a semi-fixed memory, and more particularly to a viewing fee which changes with time in pay satellite broadcasting, for example. The present invention relates to a semi-fixed data rewriting device that rewrites semi-fixed data such as data into a semi-fixed memory such as an EEPROM and stores the rewritten data.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art As a method of storing semi-fixed data, one method is to store the data in a temporary memory such as a RAM and back up the RAM with a battery in order to protect data during a power failure or power off. However, since this method requires a backup of the battery, a method using a semi-fixed memory such as an electrically rewritable EEPROM or the like is often used instead of this method.

By the way, such semi-fixed data includes:
As described above, there is data that changes successively at predetermined time intervals, such as data on the viewing fee of pay satellite broadcasting.

[0005] More specifically, pay satellite broadcast viewing methods include (1) a flat fee method, (2) a pay-per-view (program) method, and (3) a pay-per-view (time) method. The flat fee method is a viewing method in which, for example, a fixed monthly viewing fee is paid, and all programs on the channel can be viewed. Pay Perbi
The view (program) method is to pay a predetermined viewing fee for a certain program and watch only that program,
This is a viewing method in which a viewing fee only needs to be paid for a program desired to be viewed. In the pay-per-view (time) method, a predetermined viewing fee is set for a certain time, and a viewing fee is paid for the viewing time. This is a viewing method that can be paid.

As a method of paying a viewing fee in the pay-per-view method among the above-mentioned viewing methods, there is, for example, a prepayment method. In this prepayment method, when a viewer collectively pays a viewing fee paid in pay-per-view to a broadcast station, the prepayment data is provided from the broadcast station to the pay broadcast decoder of the viewer as a part of individual information. The pay broadcast decoder includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an EEPROM,
A microcomputer system including an input / output port and the like is connected, and the prepayment data supplied to the pay broadcasting decoder is stored in the EEPROM of the microcomputer system.
It is stored in the ROM.

[0007] The prepaid money data stored in the EEPROM is sequentially withdrawn every time the viewer views the content by the pay-per-view method, and the withdrawn money data is rewritten into the EEPROM again. It is to be remembered. In this case, when the pay-per-view method is the pay-per-view (program), the advance payment is withdrawn for each program viewed, but when the pay-per-view (time) is used, the advance payment is removed at predetermined time intervals such as minutes. Since the EEPROM is sequentially removed, the EEPROM is also rewritten at predetermined time intervals.

[0008]

As described above, for example, E which stores the advance payment data of the viewing fee of pay satellite broadcasting is stored.
The EPROM requires that the prepaid data be rewritten relatively frequently one after another, but the number of times the EEPROM can be rewritten is limited. There is a problem that the life of the device is relatively shortened.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above,
An object of the present invention is to provide a semi-fixed data rewriting device in which the number of times of rewriting of a semi-fixed memory such as an EEPROM is reduced so as to extend the life of the device.

[Structure of the Invention]

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, a semi-fixed data rewriting device according to the present invention stores semi-fixed data which is supplied via a controlled device and changes sequentially, in a semi -fixed memo.
A semi-fixed data rewriting device which is rewritten and stored and operates on a second power supply different from the first power supply of the controlled device, wherein the semi-fixed data rewriting device changes the semi-fixed data in accordance with a sequential change of the semi-fixed data. A temporary memory for temporarily and sequentially storing data;
A first power supply monitoring unit that monitors the first power supply, a second power supply monitoring unit that monitors the second power supply,
Rewriting control means for controlling the semi-fixed data stored in the temporary memory to be rewritten and stored in the semi-fixed memory when the power supply of the first and second memories is turned off ;
The first power supply is turned off based on a signal from the power supply monitoring means.
And when the second power supply is on, the controlled device
And a signal cut-off means for cutting off the transmission and reception of the signal .

Further, the semi-fixed data rewriting device of the present invention
The semi-fixed data supplied via the controlled device and changing sequentially is rewritten and stored in a semi-fixed memory, and the semi-fixed data rewriting which operates on a second power supply different from the first power supply of the controlled device. A temporary memory for temporarily storing the semi-fixed data sequentially according to the sequential change of the semi-fixed data, a first power supply monitoring means for monitoring the first power supply, a second power supply monitoring means for monitoring the power, and rewrite control means for controlling the semi-fixed data the temporary memory in the memory for each Jo Tokoro time to store rewritten to the semi-permanent memory, the first And the second power supply
The first power supply is turned off based on a signal from the monitoring means.
When the second power supply is on, the communication with the controlled device
And a signal blocking unit for blocking transmission and reception of a signal .

[0013]

According to the semi-fixed data rewriting device of the present invention, the semi-fixed data that changes sequentially is temporarily stored in the temporary memory.
The temporarily stored semi-fixed data is rewritten and stored in a semi-fixed memory according to predetermined conditions.

Further, in the semi-fixed data rewriting device of the present invention, the semi-fixed data that changes sequentially is temporarily stored in the temporary memory temporarily, and the temporary memory is temporarily stored when the second power supply is turned off or every predetermined time. The semi-fixed data temporarily stored in the memory is rewritten and stored in a semi-fixed memory.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a semi-fixed data rewriting device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The semi-fixed data rewriting device shown in FIG. 1 is a pay-broadcast decoder for pay-satellite broadcasting which rewrites and stores the prepaid data of the viewing fee of pay-satellite broadcasting as semi-fixed data as EEPROM as a semi-fixed memory as described above. The system comprises a descrambler 11 for descrambling video and audio of pay satellite broadcasting, and a microcomputer 10 including a one-chip IC for storing and controlling the advance payment data.

The descrambler 11 detects program information, which is data relating to a program superimposed on a video signal and an audio signal transmitted from a pay satellite broadcasting station, and individual information indicating a contract, and compares the two information. It is determined whether or not viewing is possible. If viewing is possible, the video signal and the audio signal are descrambled, and the viewing method and the viewing are performed so that the advance payment data stored in advance in the microcomputer 10 is subtracted. Viewing information including information such as fee, start / end, and the like is supplied to the microcomputer 10.

The microcomputer 10 includes a ROM 15 storing programs, fixed data, and the like; a RAM 16 serving as a temporary memory for temporarily storing temporary data;
An EEPROM 17 which is a semi-fixed memory for semi-fixedly storing the prepayment data, that is, in a rewritable manner, an input / output port 18 for exchanging information with the descrambler 11, and an overall operation according to a program stored in the ROM 15. , And an address bus 11, a data bus 12, and a control line 13 which are commonly connected between the components.

In the semi-fixed data rewriting device configured as described above, when the viewing of pay satellite broadcasting is started by, for example, the pay-per-view (time) method, the microcomputer 10 is supplied from the descrambler 11 via the input / output port 18. The prepaid money data stored in the EEPROM 17 is subtracted every predetermined viewing time based on the viewing information. In this case, the EEPROM is subtracted every predetermined viewing time.
When the rewriting of 17 is performed, the number of times of rewriting of the EEPROM 17 increases . Therefore, the advance payment data stored in the EEPROM 17 is transferred to the RAM 16 in advance and stored, and the advance payment data stored in the RAM 16 is A subtraction process is performed for each predetermined viewing time.

In the pay-per-view (time) method, a viewing fee for a certain viewing time is determined, for example, 1 yen per minute, and this information is transmitted as a part of the program information. When the viewer operates the pay broadcast decoder by, for example, button operation in order to view the program, the microcomputer 10 subtracts 1 yen per minute from the advance payment data according to the data of the program information. However, this one-minute subtraction is performed on the RAM 16 as described above.

When the RAM 16 performs the subtraction every one minute as described above and performs this processing for a predetermined time, for example, 10 minutes, the RAM 16 is rewritten into the EEPROM 17 and the prepaid money data stored in the EEPROM 17 is updated. I have to. If the predetermined time is determined to be 10 minutes in this way, if the time specified in the program information is 10 minutes or less, the amount of money watched in 10 minutes (for example, in the case of a program of 1 yen per minute, Is stored in the RAM 16, and the monetary amount data viewed and viewed every 10 minutes is subtracted from the prepaid money data stored in the EEPROM 17 for rewriting. Further, when the time specified by the program information is 10 minutes or more, the EEPROM 1 is used every time specified by the program information.
7 is rewritten by subtracting the prepaid money data stored therein, whereby the minimum interval of the rewriting process for the EEPROM 17 can be limited to a predetermined 10 minutes or more.

Further, a method of rewriting at predetermined times of the designated time is also possible. In this case, for example, if the time specified in the program information is 1 minute and the predetermined magnification is 5 times, the viewed amount data is stored in the RAM 16 and the prepaid money data in the EEPROM 17 is stored every 5 minutes. Is subtracted and rewritten. By doing so, EEPRO
The number of rewrites of M can be limited to a predetermined fraction.

It is also possible to rewrite the program when the program ends or when the viewing is canceled. This is because a program identification code is added to a program, but the viewing fee until the code changes, that is, until the program ends, is stored in the RAM 16 and the EE is collected at the end of the program.
Rewriting is performed by subtracting from the prepaid money data in the PROM 17. Also, at the time when the viewer cancels the application to view the program, the viewing fee from the application stored in the RAM 16 to the time of cancellation is summarized and EEPRO is collected.
Rewriting is performed by subtracting from the advance payment data in M17.

As described above, the viewing fee is managed in the RAM 16 and the rewriting to the EEPROM 17 is collectively performed, whereby the number of rewriting of the EEPROM 17 can be reduced. Note that all of the above processing is performed by the CPU 14 in software according to the program stored in the ROM 15.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a semi-fixed data rewriting device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
The semi-fixed data rewriting device shown in FIG. 3 includes a power supply monitoring circuit 21 and a power supply backup capacitor 23 so that data relating to the viewing time or the viewing fee stored in the RAM 16 in the embodiment shown in FIG. , And a backflow prevention diode 25, and the other configuration and operation are the same as those in FIG.

The power supply monitoring circuit 21 monitors the power supply,
When the power is turned off from the on state, a power off signal is supplied to the input / output port 18 of the microcomputer 10. As a result, the CPU 1 of the microcomputer 10
Reference numeral 4 responds to the power-off signal to save only data relating to the viewing time or the viewing fee among the data stored in the RAM so far to the EEPROM 17 so that the power may be turned off. In this case, the power supply voltage is charged from the power supply to the power supply backup capacitor 23 via the backflow preventing diode 25, and the EEP is stored in the RAM.
The power supply voltage is reduced while the data is being saved to the ROM.

Although a fixed free viewing time is set in the pay-per-view (program), the free viewing time is a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) after the viewer has applied for viewing. This is managed by the microcomputer 10 using a timer or the like. Even if the viewer has applied for viewing once, if he cancels within this free viewing time, he does not need to pay the viewing fee. Therefore, if the value of the timer for counting the time from the application for viewing is written in the EEPROM 17 every second, for example, the data indicating the free viewing time is the number of minutes remaining after the power is turned off. You can't tell if it's there, but this way,
7, the number of rewrites is increased, so that this rewrite is performed once every 10 seconds, or is managed only in the RAM 16 without writing to the EEPROM 17, thereby making the EEPROM 16
Can be prevented from being reduced.

However, in the case described above, when the power is turned off, data indicating how many minutes the free viewing time has been used is also lost, and it is charged to set the free viewing time again from the beginning. Since it is disadvantageous for the satellite broadcasting station, the power off signal from the power supply monitoring circuit 21 also causes the data relating to the free viewing time in the RAM 16 to be E.
The data is saved in the EPROM 17.

Further, in addition to the addition of the power supply monitoring circuit 21, a RAM having the same storage capacity as that of the EEPROM 17 is added. When the power is turned on, all the data in the EEPROM 17 is transferred to the RAM. By operating only with the data of the EEPROM, the data in the RAM is transferred to the EEPROM when the power is turned off.
Rewriting to OM can be reduced only when the power is off.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a semi-fixed data rewriting device according to still another embodiment of the present invention. The semi-fixed data rewriting device shown in FIG. 2 is provided with two power sources 1 and 2 in contrast to the embodiment shown in FIG. The power supply 2 supplies power to the power supply monitoring circuit 21 , a power supply backup capacitor 23 via a backflow prevention diode 25, and the microcomputer 10 via the power supply backup capacitor 23. Only the operating power is supplied, the power supply 2 of the circuit part for managing the data relating to the viewing time or the viewing fee is separated from the power supply 1 for the descrambler 11, and the influence of the power supply 1 to the descrambler 11 when the power supply 1 is turned off is prevented. Things.

In the above configuration, the power supply 1 for the descrambler 11 can be freely turned on / off by, for example, a power switch, whereas the power supply 2 is a power supply independent of the power switch of the descrambler 11. For example, the power supply is always on except when power cannot be supplied due to a power failure or the like. Therefore, the descrambler 11
It is not necessary to save the data stored in the RAM 16 to the EEPROM 17 even when the power switch is turned off, and the number of times of rewriting of the EEPROM can be reduced.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a semi-fixed data rewriting device according to another embodiment of the present invention. The semi-fixed data rewriting device shown in the figure has a power supply monitoring circuit 31 for monitoring the power supply 1 in the embodiment shown in FIG.
A power-off signal of a low level (negative logic) when energized from the power supply monitoring circuit 31 is supplied to the microcomputer 10, and AND circuits 33 and 35 gated by the power-off signal are provided in the microcomputer 10. As a result, the signal from the descrambler 11 when the power supply 1 is turned off is transmitted to the input / output port 1 of the microcomputer 10.
8 or, conversely, a signal from the input / output port 18 of the microcomputer 10 is blocked from being supplied to the descrambler 11, that is, an abnormal signal is prevented from being supplied to the microcomputer 10 and the descrambler 11. It prevents input and abnormal interrupts.

[0033]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The semi-fixed data that changes sequentially is temporarily stored in a temporary memory, and the temporarily stored semi-fixed data is stored in accordance with a predetermined condition, specifically, when the second power supply is turned off, or Since the semi-fixed memory is rewritten and stored every predetermined time, the semi-fixed memory is, for example, an EEPROM.
Can be reduced, and the life of the device can be prolonged.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a semi-fixed data rewriting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a semi-fixed data rewriting device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a semi-fixed data rewriting device according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a semi-fixed data rewriting device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 power supply 2 power supply 10 microcomputer 11 descrambler 14 CPU 16 RAM 17 EEPROM 21 power supply monitoring circuit 23 power supply backup capacitor 31 power supply monitoring circuit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G11C 16/00-16/34 G11C 11/34 G06F 12/16 G06F 1/00

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A semi-fixed memory, which is supplied via a controlled device and changes sequentially , is rewritten and stored in a semi-fixed memory, and operates on a second power supply different from a first power supply of the controlled device. A semi-fixed data rewriting device, comprising: a temporary memory for temporarily storing the semi-fixed data according to a sequential change of the semi-fixed data; and a first power supply monitoring means for monitoring the first power supply. A second power supply monitoring means for monitoring the second power supply, wherein when the second power supply is turned off, the semi-fixed data stored in the temporary memory is rewritten and stored in the semi-fixed memory. and rewrite control means for controlling, based on a signal from said first and second power supply monitoring means
The first power supply is off and the second power supply is on
A signal interruption for interrupting transmission / reception of a signal with the controlled device.
And a disconnecting means . 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the semi-fixed data supplied through the controlled device and sequentially changing is rewritten and stored in a semi-fixed memory, and operates on a second power supply different from the first power supply of the controlled device. A semi-fixed data rewriting device, comprising: a temporary memory for temporarily storing the semi-fixed data according to a sequential change of the semi-fixed data; and a first power supply monitoring means for monitoring the first power supply. a second power supply monitoring means for monitoring said second power supply, and rewrite control means for controlling to store rewritten to the semi-permanent memory the semi-fixed data the temporary memory in the memory at predetermined time intervals , Based on signals from the first and second power supply monitoring means
The first power supply is off and the second power supply is on
A signal interruption for interrupting transmission / reception of a signal with the controlled device.
And a disconnecting means .