Patent ID: 6580462
Filing Date: 2003-06-17
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A television receiver apparatus, comprising:a tuner operable to receive a transmitted signal; an external memory unit having a semiconductor non-volatile memory operable to store information and being detachably connectable to the television receiver apparatus by a user; a non-volatile memory operable to store executable programs that are capable of controlling the television receiver apparatus; a volatile memory operable for use as a temporary memory space for various processes; and a controller operatively coupled to the tuner, the external memory unit, the non-volatile memory, and the volatile memory, the controller being operable to control operation of the television receiver apparatus by executing the executable programs that are stored in the non-volatile memory, wherein: the external memory unit is operable to store a new executable program, the new executable program is copied into the volatile memory when the external memory unit is coupled to the television receiver apparatus by the user, and the new executable program is executed by the controller causing the television receiver apparatus to perform a new function, and the new executable program is not retained in the volatile memory when the television receiver apparatus is turned off.