JP2002209180A - Communication terminal device, communication terminal control method, medium with communication terminal control program recorded thereon, method and device for data distribution, and medium with data distribution control program recorded thereon - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication terminal device, a communication terminal control method, a medium with communication terminal control program recorded thereon, a method and a device for data distribution, and a medium with data delivery control program recorded thereon which enable faithful reflection of the intention of a contents generator on a print result. SOLUTION: Circumstances for the carrying out of print based on print object data are set in a printer by using print condition data which is accepted as a part of distribution data at the time of acceptance of selection of a print object. Consequently, setting processing which a user should perform for print is reduced, and the intention of the contents generator can be faithfully reflected on the print result.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a communication terminal device, a communication terminal control method, a medium recording a communication terminal control program, a data distribution device, a data distribution method, and a medium recording a data distribution control program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various terminals, such as Internet terminals and digital data broadcasting terminals, capable of viewing digital contents have become widespread. Such digital contents include various information such as character information, music data, and photographs, and are usually viewed using some kind of browsing software. As an example of a configuration for printing a print target such as a photo in such a terminal, an application that can handle the photo or document file is started in the terminal when a photo or document file is specified, and the user is required to start the application. There is an application that executes printing by executing a printing process as one function of an application.

[0003]

The above-mentioned conventional printing process has the following problems. In other words, since printing is performed as a function of an application started on the terminal, the size of printing paper and the quality of printing paper are left to the user's own choice, and are set so that desired results can be obtained in printing. Had to be done. further,
For digital content distribution, for example, if a vertical document is printed horizontally or a high-quality photographic image is printed with low quality, the intention of the digital content creator will be that of the end user. It will not be faithfully reflected below. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has a communication terminal device and a communication terminal control capable of reducing a setting process performed by a user in printing and faithfully reflecting an intention of a content creator in a print result. It is an object to provide a method, a medium recording a communication terminal control program, a data distribution device, a data distribution method, and a medium recording a data distribution control program.

[0004]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication terminal capable of connecting a communication line serving as a transmission medium of distribution data, a display device for displaying distribution contents, and a printer. A data delivery receiving means for receiving delivery of print target data for printing a print target via a predetermined communication line and screen display data for performing a predetermined screen display; Distribution data storage means for storing print target data and screen display data received by the means; and displaying and printing predetermined distribution contents on the display device based on the screen display data stored in the distribution data storage means. Screen display means for displaying an interface for accepting the selection of an object; and receiving a selection of a print object performed while the user visually recognizes the interface. And a print environment setting unit configured to set an environment for executing printing based on the print target data in the printer when the selection of the print target is received by the selection input unit. There is as a configuration.

[0005] In the invention according to claim 1 configured as described above, when printing is executed while controlling the printer at the terminal receiving the data distribution, the user is required to reduce the setting process of the user. Necessary settings are automatically made without performing environment setting processing.
That is, since the print environment setting means sets an environment for executing printing based on the print target data when the selection of the print target is received, the user does not need to set the environment before printing, and Sometimes you don't need to do any configuration.

The screen display means displays an interface for accepting selection of a print target on a display device, and the environment is set only by the selection of the print target. It is only necessary to select the print target, and printing can be performed without performing any other operation, and even a novice user can perform printing very easily.

Here, the data distribution receiving means only needs to be able to receive the data to be printed and the screen display data via the communication line. In addition to the distribution, the data may be distributed via two-way communication such as the Internet, and various modes may be adopted. Further, in order to execute printing by the printer, it is possible to receive various kinds of data in addition to the data to be printed and the screen display data, and to receive music data and the like. can do.

When receiving the distribution of the data superimposed on the broadcast radio wave, the data distribution accepting means comprises a tuner section and a data separation section, and the tuner section transmits a broadcast signal received via an antenna. The tuning may be performed while tuning to a predetermined broadcast frequency and demodulation may be performed, and the data separating unit may separate the data superimposed on the demodulated signal output from the tuner unit.

That is, by configuring the tuner section and the data separating section, it is possible to extract data superimposed on broadcast waves including satellite broadcasts, and to apply the present invention to a terminal capable of receiving a so-called data broadcast. Become. In particular, digital data broadcasting using satellite transponders has recently begun, and various services will be provided in such digital data broadcasting. The invention is enabled and preferred.

The distribution data storage means only needs to be able to store the print target data and the screen display data, and can be constituted by a magnetic storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a memory such as a flash ROM or a RAM. . An HDD can secure a large storage capacity at a low cost, so that it is easier to receive distribution of relatively large data such as image data or to store a large amount of various data and receive the distribution. This is suitable when printing is performed later. According to the flash ROM, since a relatively large amount of data can be stored and accessed at a relatively high speed, printing can be performed without feeling stress even when printing a relatively large number of printing targets at once. Since the flash ROM is non-volatile, printing can be executed collectively after distribution.

Further, since the RAM can be accessed at a high speed, printing can be performed at a high speed. Needless to say, the configuration of these storage means is not limited to the above, and the relative access speed and capacity of each storage medium may be changed by technological progress. Therefore, in the manufacturing stage of the communication terminal device according to the present invention, a suitable storage means and usage mode may be selected in consideration of cost, and a configuration similar to that of a normal computer using both the HDD and the memory described above may be adopted. You can also.

The data to be printed includes all types of data that can be printed, and includes various data such as image data and document data. Of course, the format, for example, the bitmap format or the JPEG format, is not limited to the difference, and even the document data includes the text format and various data that can be displayed by various applications. Further, the screen display data only needs to be able to perform a predetermined screen display based on the data.
hypertext Markup Language)
And BML (Broadcast Markup Lan)
g.) is suitable, but various other embodiments can be adopted. Further, a case where the screen display data is the same as the print target data, that is, a case where the image is displayed on the screen and the image is printed based on the data such as the image is also assumed.

The screen display means only needs to be able to display an interface for receiving the display of the distribution contents and the selection of the print target based on the screen display data. Here, the interface described in general-purpose HTML or BML is also used. Is preferred. Various specific modes of the interface for accepting the selection of the print target can be adopted.A plurality of print targets can be displayed on the screen, and these print targets can be selected by an input device such as a remote controller, or the screen display can be performed. "Execute printing" beside the printed target
There are various modes, such as displaying the display and selecting the display, and changing the pointer shape when the pointer is positioned on the print target in a GUI environment using a predetermined pointer to accept the selection of the print target. Can be adopted.

The selection receiving means only needs to be able to receive a selection of a print target. If the terminal according to the present invention is a broadcast receiving terminal, the selection is input by a remote controller for inputting a channel change operation or the like, and the terminal is input. The terminal may be configured to receive the input, or when the terminal is an Internet terminal, it is preferable that the terminal be used to input the selection using a mouse or a keyboard, and the terminal be configured to receive the input. Of course, a keyboard and a mouse can be used in the broadcast receiving terminal, a remote controller can be used in the Internet terminal, and various other modes can be adopted.

The print environment setting means only needs to be able to set the print environment when the selection of the print target is accepted. Here, the printing environment is an environment necessary for executing printing, and includes various environments. For example, when a printer is connected to the terminal but a printer driver, which is a print execution module for controlling the printer, is not installed, an appropriate printer driver is installed because the environment does not allow printing. Upon installation, the printer driver can be automatically downloaded and installed, or a program that provides an interactive interface can be executed to allow the user to make an appropriate selection and install the printer driver. further,
Even when a printer that can execute printing is not connected or the power is not turned on, the environment is not an environment where printing can be executed. Therefore, an error message or the like is displayed to prompt the user to improve the situation. In this case, if the status of the printer can be acquired via an interface for connecting the printer, it is possible to know whether or not the environment is capable of executing printing.

Further, even when the printer is connected and the power is turned on, the printer is normally controlled by the print execution module, so that printing can be executed unless the print execution module is being executed. Not a state. Therefore, as a specific example of the print environment to be set, the invention according to claim 2 is the communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the print environment setting unit is configured to execute the print environment when the selection of the print target is received. The configuration is such that a print execution module for controlling the printer is started.

That is, printing by the printer requires that the print execution module be executed, and the print execution module is activated by selecting a print target. Here, the execution of printing is also supported by current web browsers on the Internet and browsers for data broadcasting. However, since these browsers have various functions in addition to printing, usually a plurality of browsers on the browser are used. Print execution is selected as one of the options indicated by the button or the like. Such an interface is particularly difficult for a beginner to understand, and even in this case, it is difficult to intuitively grasp which print target is on the screen or all print targets. However, according to the present invention, since the print execution module is activated only by selecting the print target, even a beginner can easily execute the print.

Further, in order to set a printing environment by selecting a printing target, it is preferable to provide an interface that is easy to operate. According to a third aspect of the present invention, as an example of the configuration, in the communication terminal device according to the first or second aspect, the communication terminal device should be activated when the print environment is set in the screen display data. The data indicating the print environment setting module is described, and the print environment setting means refers to the data indicating the print environment setting module when the selection of the print target is received, and starts the corresponding print environment setting module. There is a configuration to do.

That is, the data to be displayed based on the screen display data has a data description indicating a print environment setting module to be activated when setting the print environment. Therefore, the print environment setting unit can set the print environment by selecting the print target and referring to the data indicating the print environment setting module to be started, and does not require any operation other than the selection of the print target in printing. become. In this case, there is no need to display a screen for setting a print environment at all on the screen for presenting the print target to the user, so that the interface becomes very simple.

More specifically, the screen display data is composed of BML data or HTML data for displaying a print target on a display of a television device or the like, and is used as an input device such as a remote controller or a mouse of the television device or the like. Thus, the print target displayed by the screen display data can be selected. Also, link data specifying the print environment setting module is embedded in the BML data or HTML data while associating the print environment setting module with the print target. According to this configuration, the print environment setting module linked when the print target being displayed is selected is activated, and it is not necessary to make another display for setting the print environment on the display.

Of course, such an interface is an example, and the screen display data is constituted by data for displaying a button corresponding to one button on a remote control of the television apparatus on a screen of the television apparatus, A configuration may be adopted in which the print environment setting module is activated when a corresponding button operation on the remote controller is received. That is, in a normal television apparatus, it is assumed that there are various users including beginners, and since the main function is to watch moving images, the user input interface is simple. Since the input interface is usually a remote controller, if a button corresponding to one button on the remote controller is displayed by the screen display data, a very clear interface can be provided for many users. Therefore, after providing such an interface, a printing environment is set when a button operation related to the screen display is received. As a result, it is possible to provide a very clear operation environment for many users, and to reduce setting operations required for printing. Thus, various modes can be adopted as the interface.

Further, since the printing targets are various as described above, the setting items required for printing are various. Therefore, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the communication terminal device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the data distribution receiving unit is suitable for printing the print target via a predetermined communication line. The distribution data storage unit stores the received print condition data, and the print environment setting unit matches the print condition data stored in the distribution data storage unit. It is configured to execute printing based on the print target data while controlling the printer.

That is, printing condition data suitable for printing of a printing target is received by the data distribution receiving means,
Since the printer is controlled so as to conform to the printing condition data, printing can be executed under printing conditions suitable for printing of the printing target. As described above, there are various printing targets, but the printing condition data is distributed according to the various printing targets. Therefore, even if the printing targets become various, the printing targets are appropriately handled, and the printing targets are appropriately printed. can do.
In addition, even if the environment that requires setting at the time of printing increases due to technological progress or the case where the above-mentioned print execution module is newly acquired, it is possible to respond to such progress by adding conditions related to the increased setting items to the printing condition data. can do.

Even if an environment is set by printing condition data when printing a printing target, a certain printing target is not necessarily printed only under a single condition, and there are various options as printing conditions. Is normal. Therefore, it is preferable that the print condition data be a recommended print condition recommended by a creator of the print target data. Here, the recommended print condition is data indicating a condition for obtaining a print result in a mode recommended by a creator of the print target data.

That is, the creator of the print target data may assume an ideal mode of how to print the print target, or may create the print target with some intention. If the recommended printing conditions are used in such a case, a printing result that faithfully reflects the ideal mode and the intention is obtained. Specifically, by executing printing under the recommended printing conditions, a photograph or a painting intended to clearly express even minute image changes can not express such a minute image change or printing paper. Printed in
It is possible to prevent a document created in consideration of the arrangement of bindings and paragraphs from being printed in a manner contrary to the intention of the creator.

Further, not all users always want to execute printing based on the printing condition data, and a configuration for providing various services to users is provided.
According to the invention, in the communication terminal device according to the fourth aspect, the print environment setting means can receive a selection as to whether or not to conform to the print condition data, and select not to conform to the print condition data. Is performed, the user is allowed to set the printing conditions of the printing target.

That is, the user can select whether or not to conform to the printing condition data. When the user does not select to conform to the printing condition data, the user can select the desired printing condition regardless of the distributed printing condition data. It is possible to execute printing under conditions. Therefore, when the printing condition data specifies that high-quality printing paper is used, it is set to print on low-quality printing paper to reduce consumption of relatively high-cost high-quality printing paper, In a situation where a plurality of printers are connected, a user's desired printer can be selected, and more various printing can be executed. Of course, the selection of whether or not to conform to the printing condition data can be accepted at any time and may be selected at the time of printing. However, if the selection is accepted in advance, the operation required from the selection of the printing target to the printing can be performed. Can be reduced.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, as a specific example of the print condition data, in the communication terminal device according to any one of the fourth and fifth aspects, the print condition data may be a print sheet. The configuration is data indicating one or a combination of the size, the quality of the printing paper, the printing direction, the allocation of the printing target, the printing surface, and the model of the printer. That is, it is not necessary to set these printing conditions as a printing environment by the printing condition data,
A print result can be obtained by faithfully reproducing the intention of the creator or distributor of the print target.

Here, the size of the printing paper is the size of the printing paper, and an error is generated by setting an unusable printing paper size, or a printing target which is supposed to be printed on a large screen. Can be prevented from being printed on a small screen. The quality of printing paper, that is, the quality of paper such as glossy paper or plain paper, can be selected with a normal printer, and it has a significant effect on the appearance of the printing result, especially when printing images, etc. Can faithfully reproduce the intention of the person. The print direction is a condition that specifies whether the print target is portrait or landscape with respect to the printing paper, and the layout of the print target is a condition that specifies how many print targets are printed on one page. The printing surface is a condition that defines whether printing is performed on only one side or both sides of the printing paper. By setting these conditions, the intention of the creator can be faithfully reproduced. In addition, by defining the printer model, it is possible to prevent printing on a printer that does not have specifications enough to faithfully reproduce the intention of the creator. Further, even in a situation where a plurality of printers are connected, the user is not required to select a printer, and it is not necessary to set a regular printer in advance.

In setting an environment necessary for printing without imposing a special setting operation on a user, it is preferable to be able to cope with a case where a new printer is introduced or the number of setting environment items is increased due to technological advances. It is. Therefore,
The invention according to claim 7 is an example of a configuration for that purpose.
7. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the data distribution receiving unit includes a data of a print execution module that controls a printer connected to data of an application program used in the communication terminal device. And any combination of the above.

That is, since the data distribution receiving unit receives distribution of newly required application program data and print execution module data, the necessary programs can be executed as appropriate. Further, even when the version of the print execution module is upgraded due to the progress of technology, the latest print execution module that has been upgraded can be used. Further, even when a printer that has not been connected up to a certain point of time is newly connected, it is possible to receive the delivery of the corresponding print execution module and to cope with it. If the printing environment setting means is configured to install the application program or the printing execution module or to appropriately execute the subsequent execution, it is possible to set an environment necessary for printing without imposing a special operation on the user. .

Further, the print target data distributed as described above has high utility even in an external device other than the terminal to which the present invention is applied. Therefore, a configuration is provided that includes a communication unit that enables bidirectional communication with an external device, and a data output unit that outputs data received by the data distribution receiving unit to the external device via the communication unit. The communication terminal device according to the present invention can be provided as a more convenient device.

That is, by outputting the distributed data to the external device by the communication means, the data can be used in the external device. Specifically, the terminal is connected to a personal computer, and the distributed data is transmitted to the personal computer, thereby processing distribution images and documents with software on the personal computer, and a highly reliable recording medium. Various uses, such as making backups, are possible. Further, when music data is received, it is possible to reproduce music based on the music data or to create a CD capable of reproducing music.
By printing the label using the print target data for printing the label, the user can provide a variety of services, such as creating a good-looking CD by himself.

Further, in providing the service according to the present invention, it may be necessary for the distributor to be printed or the like to make various charges. As a preferred example in such a case, the invention according to claim 8 is the communication terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the identification information input means for inputting the identification information of the user includes: Identification information authentication means for transmitting and receiving predetermined information to and from an external authentication server via communication to determine whether or not the identification information input to the identification information input means belongs to a proper user; When the user authenticated by the information authentication unit executes the printing, the printing environment setting unit is configured to include a charging unit that performs charging according to the contents of the environment set by the printing environment setting unit.

That is, the user to be charged can be properly specified by the identification information input means and the identification information authentication means, and the print object is charged by the charging means after specifying the charge target. The user can be appropriately charged. Here, the identification information input means only needs to be capable of inputting the identification information of the user. The card reader may be configured to read the identification information.

The identification information authenticating means only needs to transmit and receive predetermined information to and from the authentication server and determine whether the identification information is appropriate or not. For example, the authentication server is provided in advance with a table in which the identification information and the terminal number of the terminal on which the communication terminal device is mounted are stored as a set, and the identification information input in the access from the identification information authentication unit and the terminal are stored. A configuration or the like that receives a number and determines whether the combination is appropriate or not can be adopted. Of course, it is also possible to increase security by adopting various encryption methods. The billing means may be billed according to the contents of the set printing environment.For example, discounts may be made when printing is performed according to the printing conditions recommended by the creator, or tie-ups with printers and printing paper manufacturers may be made. Accordingly, various service modes can be adopted, such as discounting when printing is performed on a recommended printer or recommended printing paper. Further, in actual billing, various modes such as updating the balance stored in the IC card and using a debit of a bank can be adopted.

As described above, the method of setting the print environment only by selecting the print target in the simple interface is not necessarily limited to a substantial device, and it can be easily understood that the method also functions as the method. Therefore, the invention according to claim 9 has a configuration corresponding to the control method of the communication terminal device. In other words, there is no difference in that the present invention is not necessarily limited to a substantial device and is also effective as a method. Of course, it is needless to say that the device configuration described in claims 2 to 8 can be adapted to the method.

Incidentally, the idea of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, such a communication terminal device may exist alone or may be used while being incorporated in a certain device. Is included. Therefore, it may be software or hardware,
It can be changed as appropriate. If the software of the communication terminal device is realized as an example of realizing the idea of the present invention, it naturally exists on a recording medium on which such software is recorded, and it must be said that the software is used. In that sense, the invention according to claim 10 has a configuration corresponding to each function that causes a computer to control the communication terminal device. Of course, it is needless to say that the device configuration described in claims 2 to 8 can correspond to the function.

Of course, the recording medium may be a magnetic recording medium, a magneto-optical recording medium, or any recording medium to be developed in the future. Also, the duplication stages of the primary duplicated product, the secondary duplicated product, and the like are equivalent without any question. Although different from the above-described medium, if the supply method is performed using a communication line, the communication line is used as a transmission medium and the present invention is used.

Further, even when a part is implemented by software and a part is implemented by hardware, there is no difference in the concept of the invention, and it is necessary to store a part on a recording medium. It may be in a form that is appropriately read in accordance with it. Further, when the present invention is implemented by software, the present invention is naturally realized not only as a medium in which the program is recorded, but also as the program itself, and the program itself is also included in the present invention.

Further, as described above, when printing is performed without troublesome operation of the user in the communication terminal device, predetermined processing can be executed in the communication terminal device even at the data distribution source. It is preferable if the data can be distributed. Therefore, an invention according to claim 11 is a data distribution device capable of connecting a distribution data output device and a distribution data transmission device, wherein a screen display for displaying a predetermined screen output by the output device is provided. Distribution data receiving means for receiving data and print target data for printing the print target and print condition data indicating conditions suitable for printing the print target; and screen display data received by the distribution data reception means. Distribution data modulating means for modulating the data to be printed and the printing condition data for transmitting a predetermined communication line as a transmission medium; and a signal modulated by the distribution data modulating means to the transmission device. And a modulation signal output means for outputting.

That is, when the data distribution apparatus modulates the print target data so that it can be transmitted by the transmission apparatus, the print condition data indicating the print conditions suitable for printing the print target is also modulated. Therefore, it becomes possible to transmit the print condition data together with the print target data in the transmission apparatus, and the communication terminal receiving the data faithfully reflects the intention of the print target creator without imposing the print condition setting on the user. Can be executed. In this data distribution device, the screen display data is also modulated. Therefore, it is easy to display a screen for selecting the print target by the screen display data, and to execute the printing using the print condition data by the selection.

Also in this case, the method of enabling transmission of print target data and print condition data at the same time and transmission of screen display data providing an interface for executing printing by selecting a print target is not necessarily a substantial method. It is not necessary to be limited to a certain device, and it can be easily understood that the device also functions as a data distribution method and a data distribution control program. For this reason, the invention according to claim 12 has a configuration corresponding to the data distribution method of the data distribution device, and the invention according to claim 13 has a configuration corresponding to the data distribution control program.

[0044]

As described above, according to the first, ninth, and tenth aspects of the present invention, the user does not need to set the environment in advance of printing, and does not need to set any environment during printing. Recording a communication terminal device, a communication terminal control method, and a communication terminal control program that can be performed by simply selecting a print target and leading to print execution. Media can be provided. According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the print execution module is activated only by selecting the print target, even a beginner can easily execute the print. Furthermore, according to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a very clear operation environment for many users and to reduce setting operations required for printing. Further, according to the invention according to claim 4,
Various printing targets can be appropriately handled and printed. In addition, it is possible to obtain a print result corresponding to the progress of technology and the upgrade of the print execution module. Further, according to the fifth aspect of the invention, it is possible to execute various printings according to the needs of the user.

Further, according to the invention of claim 6,
A print result can be obtained by faithfully reproducing the intention of the creator or distributor of the print target. Further, claim 7
According to the present invention, it is possible to cope with technological progress and version upgrade of the print execution module. Furthermore, according to the invention of claim 8, it is possible to appropriately charge the print executor, and it is possible to provide various services by various charging methods. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to distribute data for executing printing in which the intention of the creator of the print target is faithfully reflected without imposing the setting of the printing condition on the user. A data distribution device, a data distribution method, and a medium recording a data distribution control program which can be configured to execute printing using print condition data by selecting a print target. Can be.

[0046]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a satellite broadcast transmitting / receiving system including a broadcast receiving system 10 including a communication terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing components of the broadcast receiving system 10. In the figure, a broadcast receiving system 10 includes a parabolic antenna 31, a set-top box 11, a display 32, and a printer 30, and a satellite transponder 40.
Is received via the parabolic antenna 31.

The set-top box 11 is provided with a tuner and the like, which will be described later. A desired broadcast wave is selected in the set-top box 11 and subjected to a predetermined signal processing, so that a moving image broadcast or a data broadcast is displayed on the display 32. Is displayed, and sound is output from a speaker (not shown). Further, the set-top box 11 can receive an infrared remote control signal transmitted from the remote controller 33, and can switch channels, grasp input contents in data broadcasting, and the like. Furthermore, the set-top box 11 has a built-in modem, which will be described later, and can access the Internet 50 and execute input / output of predetermined information.

The broadcasting system 20 includes a broadcasting company device 22 and an uplink device 21. The broadcaster device 22 is a device that edits a video signal and an audio signal of a program created by a broadcast station, and edits a display screen of a data broadcast. And output as broadcast radio waves. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the broadcaster device 22, which includes a video and audio editing device (not shown), a server computer 28, and a data distribution unit 23. In the server computer 28, various application programs can be executed under the execution of the OS, and these application programs can create a BML file, print target data, and print condition data. The created BML file, print target data, and print condition data are output to the data distribution unit 23 via a predetermined output I / F.

The data distribution unit 23 is a video encoding unit 24
A voice encoding unit 25, a data encoding unit 26, a multiplexing unit 27, an input I / F 26a, and an output I / F 27a. The video encoding unit 24 receives an analog video signal from the video editing device (not shown) via an input terminal (not shown), performs predetermined MPEG modulation, and
The PEG signal is output to the multiplexer 27. The audio encoding unit 25 receives an analog audio signal from the audio editing device (not shown) via an input terminal (not shown), performs predetermined MPEG modulation, and outputs the MPEG signal to the multiplexing unit 27. In addition, the data encoding unit 26 receives the input I
It receives distribution data such as screen display data, print target data, and print condition data via the / F 26a, performs MPEG modulation, and outputs the result to the multiplexing unit 27.

The multiplexing unit 27 multiplexes the input video, audio, and MPEG signals of the distribution data to generate a predetermined transport stream. In the multiplexing unit 27, a header for restoring each transmission data in the transport stream is added, and further, each header for distinguishing screen display data, print target data, printing condition data, and the like is added. In the set-top box 11, each data can be restored as an individual file. The multiplexing unit 27 outputs the output I / F2
7a, and the generated transport stream is output to the uplink device 21 via the output I / F 27a. Uplink device 2
1 is capable of transmitting the transport stream as broadcast radio waves that can be relayed by the satellite repeater 40,
The transport stream output from the data distribution unit 23 is modulated, amplified, and transmitted from the transmission antenna.

As described above, in this embodiment, the input I / F 26a constitutes the distribution data receiving means, the data encoding unit 26 and the multiplexing unit 27 constitute the distribution data modulation means, and the output I / F 26a F27a constitutes the modulation signal output means. Here, the configuration of each of the encoding units and the multiplexing unit 27 is an example, and various configurations can be adopted. For example, in the above modulation, M
PEG modulation was applied, but of course, AC
Various configurations, such as -3 modulation, are adopted. Making a transport stream by time division multiplexing is preferable in terms of application to broadcasting, but other methods such as frequency multiplexing can also be adopted. It is.

The server computer 28 of the broadcaster apparatus 22 is connected to the Internet 50 so that users using the broadcast receiving system 10 can transmit and receive predetermined information. The screen display data, print target data, print condition data, and the like can be created and output to the data distribution unit 23, and output from the uplink device 21 as broadcast radio waves. The satellite transponder 40 is a geostationary satellite orbiting around a predetermined orbit around the earth. Is transmitted to the earth, and a broadcast radio wave can be received by the parabolic antenna 31 of the broadcast receiving system 10.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a specific internal configuration of the set-top box 11. The set-top box 11 demodulates a broadcast wave transmitted from the satellite repeater 40, executes a predetermined display on the basis of the superimposed signal, and performs a tuning / demodulation unit as a demodulation system for obtaining predetermined data. 12, a separation unit 13 and a decoder unit 14. An RF signal received by the parabolic antenna 31 is input to the tuning / demodulation unit 12. The tuning / demodulation unit 12 selects an RF signal of a channel desired by the user under the control of the CPU 15. Get the intermediate frequency signal,
A predetermined demodulation process is performed to output a transport stream.

The transport stream is supplied to the separation unit 13
The separation unit 13 separates the data signal and the video / audio signal superimposed on the broadcast radio wave based on the packet header of the transport stream of the time division multiplex system.
The separation unit 13 is connected to a decoder unit 14 and a predetermined bus, and the separated data signal is output to the bus. As described above, in the present embodiment, the tuning / demodulation unit 12 and the separation unit 13 constitute the data distribution receiving unit. Further, the separated video / audio signal is output to the decoder unit 14. Decoder section 14
Is an IC chip that performs MPEG demodulation, and performs predetermined video demodulation and audio demodulation on the bit stream of the video / audio signal output by the separation unit 13. These demodulated signals are output to the display 32, the video superimposed on the broadcast wave transmitted from the satellite repeater 40 is reproduced on the display 32, and sound is output from a speaker (not shown).

The decoder unit 14 is also connected to the bus, and the CPU 15 modulates the BML data, image data, and the like of the data signals separated by the separation unit 13 into signals for displaying a predetermined screen. Then, these modulation signals are input to the decoder unit 14 via the bus. The decoder unit 14 also performs predetermined demodulation on these signals, converts them into video signals for displaying images such as predetermined characters, and outputs the video signals to the display 32. In other words, the set-top box 11 according to the present embodiment functions as a receiver that supports not only satellite broadcasting of a normal image but also data broadcasting of characters and the like. Thus, the decoder section 14 constitutes the screen display means.

On the other hand, the set-top box 11 according to the present embodiment includes the set-top box 1 in addition to the demodulation system.
1 is provided with a control system for executing overall control, control of a connected printer, and the like. The control system includes the CPU 15, the memory unit 16, the HDD 17, and the modem 18, and these devices are connected via the bus. Further, this bus has remote controller I / F 19a, IC card I / F 19b and I / F 19b as interfaces with external devices.
The IEEE 1394 I / F 19c is connected.

The memory unit 16 includes a flash ROM capable of electrically writing and erasing data and an SDRAM capable of high-speed access. The flash ROM stores an OS and a main program in advance. I have. The CPU 15 executing the arithmetic processing appropriately executes the OS or the like written in the flash ROM while using the SDRAM as a temporary work area, a setting storage area, or a program area, and executes the tuning / demodulation unit 12. And the separation unit 13 as well as the modem 18 and the printer 30.

The HDD 17 is a large-capacity storage device composed of a magnetic disk. The CPU 15 sorts the data output from the separation unit 13 into a predetermined directory and saves the data. To read the data. Therefore, the HDD 17 constitutes the distribution data storage means. The modem 18 is connected to the bus 50 and the Internet 50.
A signal transmitted through the bus is modulated and sent to the Internet 50, and a signal received via the Internet 50 is demodulated to obtain a predetermined signal.
Function as a communication terminal. As a result, the set-top box 11 can browse a web page published on the Internet 50, and accesses the server computer 28 of the broadcaster device 22 to execute transmission and reception of predetermined information. It is possible. Of course, the configuration for accessing the external network is not limited to the configuration using the modem.
For example, various communication systems can be adopted, such as performing access via a dedicated line via a predetermined router.

In the set-top box 11, the user can change the channel by operating the remote controller 33, and can select a web page being viewed on the screen or an option presented by text broadcasting. It has become. That is, the remote controller 33 includes a plurality of operation buttons and transmits an infrared remote control signal according to a pressing operation of the operation buttons.
The transmitted infrared remote control signal is a remote control I / F 19
a. The remote control I / F 19a receives the infrared remote control signal, demodulates the infrared remote control signal, extracts the superimposed code signal, and outputs the code signal to the bus. The CPU 15 grasps the operation content of the user based on the output code signal, and appropriately executes a process according to the operation content. As described above, in the present embodiment, the remote controller 33 and the remote controller I / F 19a constitute the above-mentioned selection receiving means.

Further, the set-top box 11 is an IC
It is possible to read out the information of the IC card used for confirming the payment of the fee via the card I / F 19b. It is feasible. That is, the IC card I / F1
The IC card inserted into the IC card 9b has predetermined information written therein, and the IC card I / F 19b can read out the information stored in the IC card and send it to the bus. The authentication is performed by accessing the server of the mail order company through the modem 18, and the CPU 15 performs predetermined communication with the server and performs predetermined authentication processing based on the information of the IC card. Is charged to the user. Also, predetermined information can be transmitted / received via the modem 18 based on the information of the IC card to descramble the scramble. Thus, the IC card I / F 19b constitutes the identification information input means,
15 and the modem 18 constitute the identification information authentication means and the billing means.

The above IEEE 1394 I / F 19c is an IEEE
The printer 30 is an I / F for realizing high-speed serial connection conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard.
394I / F19c. Therefore, the connected printer 30 can execute bidirectional communication with the set-top box 11, and can execute predetermined printing under the control of the printer driver activated in the set-top box 11. Further, although only one printer 30 is shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of printers can of course be connected.

As the connection interface, the IEEE
Other interfaces, not limited to 1394 I / F,
For example, various things such as USB, parallel I / F, and SCSI interface can be adopted. Further, in the present embodiment, the set top box 11 and the display 3
2, the present invention is similarly applicable to a display with a built-in set-top box as shown in FIG. That is, as the configuration of the broadcast receiving system 10, an example including an integrated display 111 in which the parabolic antenna 311, the set-top box 11, and the display 32 are integrated, and a printer 301 can be adopted. Of course, the printer 30 may be built in, or the HDD 17 or the like may be provided externally.

In this example, the predetermined program such as the OS is stored in the flash ROM of the memory unit 16, but the recording medium is not limited to this. For example, the HDD 17 may be used, or a floppy disk or C
It may be a D-ROM. Floppy disk or CD
-In the case of ROM, the program is read via a floppy disk drive or CD-ROM drive,
D17 or the flash ROM of the memory unit 16 is installed. The recording medium is not limited to this, and may be a magneto-optical disk or the like. Further, since the HDD 17 can store data superimposed on broadcast waves as described above, various programs can be executed by downloading a program as one type of superimposed data and storing the program in the HDD 17. . Therefore, it is also possible to use such a function to acquire version upgrade data in addition to the OS itself.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram mainly showing the main configuration of software related to the control system. In the set-top box 11 according to the present embodiment, execution of each hardware and software is controlled under the control of the OS 60 which is read out and executed at the time of activation. Same OS
Various drivers are incorporated in 60, and when the set-top box 11 is started, a main program 61 is resident and executes processing relating to distribution data and the printer 30. The OS 60 can execute various application programs, and in this embodiment, includes a BML browser 66 as a standard application program.

Among the various drivers, the OS 60 incorporates a separation unit driver 62, a printer driver 63, and a 1394 driver 64 as main drivers according to the present invention. The separation unit driver 62 is resident under the control of the OS 60, controls the separation unit 13 to take in various data to be separated from the bus,
Write data to Here, the separation unit driver 62 further divides the data separated by the separation unit 13 and input to the bus, and stores the data in an appropriate directory having a tree structure in the HDD 17.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the directory structure of the HDD 17. In the figure, a BML directory, a print condition directory, a print target directory, a driver directory, and an application directory are provided under a root directory. The BML directory is a directory for storing a BML file for displaying a data broadcast screen. The driver directory stores driver program data such as the printer driver 63 and other hardware drivers, and the application directory stores application program data such as the BML browser 66.

Print condition data is stored in the print condition directory, print target data is stored in the print target directory, and consistency is ensured between the two by unifying file names. That is, the print conditions of the print target data having the file name of Photo 1 stored in the print target directory are recorded in the file named Photo 1 stored in the print condition directory. Of course, in many cases, the data to be printed and the data such as the image displayed by the BML file are the same, and in that case, a link to the file name may be provided by the BML. In addition, in addition to those extracted from the separation unit 13, predetermined data can be stored in these directories in advance.

In the present embodiment, a header indicating the content of the data is added to the data separated by the separation unit 13 by the multiplexing unit 27 of the data distribution unit 23, and the separation unit driver 62 To determine the data content and save the data in an appropriate directory. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a distributed BML file. In the figure, a BML file header is a header indicating that the subsequent data fields are a BML file. Separator driver 6
2 discriminates the existence of the BML file header, and stores the distributed BML file in the BML directory.

In the BML file shown in the figure, a tag for displaying a predetermined screen on the display 32 is described, a print target specified by the tag is displayed, and when the user selects the print target. Can be configured to execute a process for activating the printer driver. FIG. 8 exemplifies a tag for executing a process of displaying the photo 1 as a thumbnail and activating the printer driver when the thumbnail of the photo 1 is selected.
In the figure, the “<IMG ...>” tag is a tag for displaying the image specified in the tag on the screen of the display 32. In this example, the tag “<. . By specifying the relative path “/ print target directory / thum_photo 1 ″”, the thumbnail image of the photo 1 stored in the print target directory shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. Of course,
In the present embodiment, it is also possible to perform screen display in various modes such as writing characters such as “Photo 1” side by side in association with an image.

A tag “<A ... / A>” indicates a link, and when an image or a character surrounded by the tag is selected, a screen is displayed based on the BML file of the designated link destination. Or to launch a specified module. In the present embodiment, the description “PRN =” in the “<A ... / A>” tag indicates a printer driver activation module (not shown) included in the main program 61 when the linked thumbnail image is specified. It is something to be executed. When this printer driver activation module is executed, the process of step S150 described later is executed. This "PR
After "N =", the storage location of the print target data is specified by a relative path.
In step S410 to be described later, print target data “photo 1” of the relative path is transferred.

In the present embodiment, the printer start-up module is started in order to cope with a case where a plurality of printers are connected and a printer is specified as a print condition. PRN = "
Thereafter, a specific printer driver stored in the driver directory may be designated by a relative path, and the specific printer driver may be started. In the present embodiment, it is possible to describe the printing conditions in the BML file. In such a case, “<Recommended printing conditions ...” is included in the “<A ... / A>” tag indicating the link.
> ”Tag. As described above, the "<recommended printing condition ...>" tag is described, and when a recommended printing condition use flag described later is turned on, printing is performed using the printing condition. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the image to be displayed on the display 32 is displayed as a thumbnail. Of course, the path of the actual data such as the photograph 1 is described in the “<IMG ...>” tag instead of the thumbnail image. It is also possible to display the photograph 1 or the like.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a print data format to be distributed. In this format, print condition data indicating print conditions, print target data indicating the content of the print target itself, and thumbnail data thereof are collectively distributed in one print data. In this print data format, the printing conditions are as follows: the printing paper size is “A4”, the printing paper quality is “special paper”, the printing direction is “vertical”, and the printing target layout is “A”.
The condition is specified that one page is printed on four sheets, the print side is "one side", and the model of the print execution printer is "printer A". A plurality of models are designated as printer models, and one of the plurality of models is set-top box 11.
Can be configured so that printing can be executed if the connection is made. Further, the print target data is data in various forms such as a bit map and a text code, and is assumed to have a data format independent of a printer. And is configured in a format such as jpeg.

Here, the print condition header is a header indicating that the print condition data has been recorded in the subsequent data fields, and the print target header has the thumbnail data and the print target data recorded in the subsequent data fields. It is a header that indicates that it has been done. Therefore, even if the print condition data, the print target data, and the thumbnail data are collectively distributed in one print target data, the separation unit driver 62 determines these headers and stores appropriate data in an appropriate directory. In the example shown in FIG. 9, data existing after the print condition header and before the print target header is stored as one file, and the file is stored in the print condition directory with the file name as Photo 1. In the data existing after the print target header, the thumbnail data and the print target data are each one file. In the print target directory, the file name of the print target data is photograph 1 and the like.
Save as m_photograph 1 and so on.

As described above, the printing conditions can be described in the print data format shown in FIG.
Can be described in the recommended printing condition tag in the BML file shown in FIG.
Further, the printing conditions can be described by another method. In addition to the above-mentioned header, there is also a header indicating that the data after the header is driver program data or application program data, and the data is stored in an appropriate directory by discriminating the header. The driver program data and the application program data also include information about the version and the corresponding hardware.

The printer driver 63 shown in FIG. 6 is a driver for controlling the printer 30.
A driver prepared for each model is installed. The printer driver 63 is appropriately activated when the printer driver activation module is activated by selecting a link in the BML file, reads out print target data from the HDD 17, and generates print data that can be printed by the printer 30. . The printer driver 63
Is capable of executing printing while setting various printing conditions, displaying a predetermined property on the display 32 and executing printing in accordance with an arbitrary condition set by the user. Printing can also be executed according to the conditions indicated in the data. Whether or not to use the print condition data is defined by a recommended print condition use flag. When the recommended print condition use flag is on, printing is performed using the print condition data. Thus, the printer driver 63 is controlled by the CPU 15
It can be said that an environment for executing printing according to the printing condition data is set.
5 constitutes the printing environment setting means. The recommended printing condition use flag is turned on by default, and can be set on or off on the above properties as required by the user.

This recommended printing condition use flag can be set by the printer driver 63 for each model. However, the setting contents are stored in the HDD 17. Even when the printer driver 63 is activated, the recommended printing conditions are used, and if it is off, the recommended printing conditions are not used. When connecting a plurality of printers, it is possible to specify a printer to be used preferentially when executing printing, and this priority is determined by the printer driver 63 corresponding to each printer model.
Set by. Of course, there are various methods of setting the priority, and the priority may be acquired by storing the priority in the printer 30 and performing bidirectional communication at the time of printing.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a printer property screen displayed on the display 32. FIG. 5 shows a property for a printer A, and a different property is activated for each printer model to be used. On the property screen, check boxes are provided for each setting item, and the user can check each check box by operating the remote controller 33. In the check box associated with "Use recommended printing conditions", the flag for using recommended printing conditions
It is possible to set off. Below the check box, items of each print condition and a check box are described, and a desired condition is set for the same setting item as the print condition data shown in FIG. 9 by checking the check box. It is possible. Further, the use priority of the printer 30 can be set.
Of course, the property screen is merely an example, and it is possible to configure conditions for various other setting items so that the property screen can be set.

The 1394 driver 64 is compatible with the IEEE 13
A driver that manages input / output data so that communication conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard is performed by the 94 I / F 19c. The print data generated by the printer driver 63 is output to the printer, and settings suitable for printing conditions are performed. For this purpose, data is transmitted and received between the printer 30 and the set-top box 11. Of course, since this interface complies with the IEEE 1394 standard, a plurality of printers can be connected, and various devices other than printers can be connected. When an external device such as a computer is connected, the data to be printed and the printing condition data are transmitted to the computer or the like under the control of the CPU 15 so that the data can be used by the computer or the like. In this sense, the IEEE 139 is used.
The 4 I / F 19c constitutes the communication means, and the CPU 15 also constitutes the data output means.

The download driver 65 is a driver that is not stored in the HDD 17 or the memory unit 16 of the set-top box 11 in the initial state, but is obtained through distribution of data superimposed on the broadcast wave or via the modem 18. It is. The download driver 65 is a driver that is appropriately downloaded and installed when a driver different from the initial state is to be used, for example, when a printer is added or the driver is updated. Of course, the download driver 65 may be a printer driver, or various drivers for controlling other devices may be downloaded and installed. Further, since the set-top box 11 according to the present invention includes the IC card I / F 19b and the remote control I / F 19a as described above, a driver (not shown) for controlling these devices is incorporated.

The BML browser 66 is connected to the remote controller 19a
Is an application program that is activated when the user instructs to view a data broadcast, and makes the display 32 display the contents of the distribution data on the screen with reference to the contents of the file described in BML. Further, processing such as switching to a link screen shown on the screen or receiving a print execution instruction is performed in accordance with the user's operation content received via the remote controller 33.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display 32 by the BML browser 66, and FIG. 12 shows an example of a button arrangement on the operation button side of the remote controller 33. The screen display on the display 32 is performed by the BML browser 66 referring to the BML file. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the photographic images 32a, b, etc. Is displayed as a thumbnail. On the other hand, on the operation button surface side of the remote controller 33, various buttons are arranged as shown in FIG.
Buttons with respective colors of “green, blue, yellow” are arranged in a horizontal row. In FIG. 12, each color is represented by “R, G, B,
Y ".

FIG. 11 shows a screen for presenting a thumbnail photographic image to a user, and also constitutes a screen interface for allowing the user to select a print target. That is, in FIG. 11, a rectangular frame is displayed around the photographic image 32a, and this frame can be moved by the left and right keys of the remote controller 33 and the print target is selected by the determination button of the remote controller 33. Has become. When the selection is made, the printer driver activation module specified as a link to the print target in the BML file is executed. At this time, if the recommended printing condition use flag is turned on,
Printing is executed even if the user does not perform any operation thereafter. Therefore, printing can be performed without showing any setting screen or the like to the user. As a result, there is no need to change the screen on the display 32 during which the user is viewing, so that even if printing is performed, the viewing screen is not affected at all, and the viewing can be continued without discomfort.

In this embodiment, the frame and the like are moved by the cross key. However, it is needless to say that the pointer can be moved by the cross key and the photographic image can be designated by the pointer. . Further, in this embodiment, the red (R) button on the remote controller 33 is assigned as a button for activating the properties of the printer driver 63, and the properties of the printer driver 63 are activated by depressing the red button. . When the blue (B) button on the remote controller 33 is pressed, processing other than the above-described processing is performed.

Further, the interface for displaying the print target and accepting the selection is not limited to the one shown in FIG. 11 described above, but may adopt various other modes. FIG. 13 shows another example of a screen displayed on the display 32 by the BML browser 66. In FIG. 13, a predetermined photographic image 32c to be printed is displayed on the display 32. On the right side of the photographic image 32c on the screen, the picture of the buttons on the remote controller 33 and the processing performed by each button are represented by characters. Is displayed. Here, the picture of each button has a circular shape and is actually given each color of "red, green, blue, yellow". on the other hand,
On the operation button side of the remote controller 33, "red,
Buttons with respective colors of “green, blue, yellow” are arranged in a horizontal row. In FIG. 13, each color is represented by “R, G, B,
Y ".

In FIG. 13, the right part of the photograph image 32c is an interface for receiving an instruction to execute each of the displayed processes. The property of the printer driver 63 is activated by pressing a red (R) button on the remote controller 33. . When the green (G) button on the remote controller 33 is depressed, the printer driver activation module specified as a link to a print target in the BML file is executed. Also in this case, if the recommended printing condition use flag is turned on, printing is executed without any further operation by the user thereafter. When the blue (B) button on the remote controller 33 is pressed, processing other than the above-described processing is performed.

In this embodiment, BML provided as standard
Various application programs can be executed in addition to the browser 66. The application program may be stored in the HDD 17 or the memory unit 16 in advance, but may be configured to obtain a new application program by downloading, similarly to the above-described driver. The download APL 67 is an application program obtained through the distribution of data superimposed on the broadcast radio wave or via the modem 18. Various application programs such as utilities to be used can be added.

FIGS. 14 to 17 show flowcharts of processing performed by the main program 61 resident in the OS 60 in the above-described configuration. FIG. 14 is a general flowchart of a process performed by the main program 61 when receiving a data broadcast. Here, an example in which the screen shown in FIG. 11 is displayed will be described. Of course, an aspect in which another screen is displayed can also be adopted. In FIG. 14, in step S100, the separating unit driver 62 determines whether or not distribution data to which a predetermined header has been added is received. If it is determined in step S100 that distribution data is received, In S110, the data is stored in an appropriate directory of the HDD 17 based on each header.

In step S120, the BML file stored in the BML directory of the HDD 17 in step S110 is read, and a predetermined screen is displayed on the display 32. Here, when the BML file received in step S100 is for displaying the screen shown in FIG. 11, the screen display on the display 32 is as shown in FIG. In step S130,
It is determined whether or not the button pressing operation of the remote controller 33 has been performed. In a situation where the screen shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the display 32, when the user presses and operates the “red” button on the remote controller 33 shown in FIG. 12, the printing condition setting processing in steps S140 to S148 is performed. When a thumbnail to be printed is selected with the cross key on the remote controller 33 and the enter button is pressed down, the print execution processing in steps S150 and S155 is performed, and the remote controller 3
Pressing the “blue” button on 3 will operate step S1
The other processing of 60 is executed.

In step S140, the display 32
10 is displayed, and the setting operation of the remote controller 33 is accepted in step S142. In step S146, it is determined whether the check box of each setting item of the property is checked and the setting is completed.
Until it is determined that the setting has been completed in step S
The processing after 142 is repeated. When it is determined in step S146 that the setting has been completed, the setting is stored as data indicating the printing condition in the printing condition directory of the HDD 17 in step S148, and is used as a default setting when the recommended printing condition use flag is off. So that

In step S150, processing for activating an appropriate printer driver is performed, and in step S155, printing by the activated printer driver is executed. In step S160, as other processing, BML
It performs a predetermined process such as switching the screen of the browser to another one or activating an application for receiving music distribution.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the process of storing data in the HDD 17 in step S110.
In FIG. 10, after the separating unit driver 62 determines in step S100 that it has received the distribution data to which a predetermined header has been added, the data format is determined based on the header content in step S200. Same step S
If it is determined in 200 that the header indicates BML data, in step S210, the data after the header is stored as a BML file in the BML directory shown in FIG.

If it is determined in step S200 that the header indicates the print data including the print condition data and the data to be printed, in step S220, the data after the print condition header is stored in the print condition directory as a print condition data file. Then, data after the print target header is stored in the print target directory as a print target data file. If it is determined in step S200 that the header is either driver program data or application program data, step S230
The following processing is executed to save an appropriate program in an appropriate directory.

That is, in step S230, the IEEE
Two-way communication is performed with the hardware connected via the 1394 I / F 19c, the corresponding hardware is determined by referring to the data of the distributed driver program or application program, and these programs are actually connected. Determine whether it is compatible with hardware. If it is determined in step S230 that the distributed driver program or application program does not correspond to the connected hardware, the distribution data is not stored.

If it is determined in step S230 that the distributed driver program or application program corresponds to the connected hardware,
In step S240, it is determined by referring to the driver directory or application directory of the HDD 17 whether or not a driver program or application program of the same type already exists. If it is not determined in step S240 that the same type of program already exists, the data received in step S250 is stored in the driver directory or application directory of the HDD 17. At this time, an installation operation for making the driver program or the application program executable is also performed.

If it is determined in step S240 that the same type of program exists, step S260
Compares the version of the program already stored in the HDD 17 with the version of the received program, and determines whether the version of the received program is higher, that is, whether it is newer. If it is not determined in step S260 that the version of the distributed program is high, the distributed program is not stored. If it is determined in step S260 that the version of the received program is higher, the old program stored in the HDD 17 is updated with the received program in step S270. At this time, an installation operation is also performed to make the updated new program executable.

Steps S210, S220, S25
0, the distribution data is stored in the HDD 17 in S270, or after it is determined in steps S230 and S260 that the distribution data is not stored, the storage of all the data distributed in step S100 is completed in step S280. It is determined whether or not all the data have been saved in step S280.
The processing after 0 is repeated.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a process for executing an appropriate driver in step S150. Referring to FIG.
Based on the content stored in the DD 17, it is determined whether or not the recommended printing condition use flag is turned on. If it is not determined in step S300 that the recommended printing condition use flag is ON, the printer driver 63 having the highest priority is started in step S310. Thereafter, in order to set printing conditions necessary for printing, the processing after step S440 in FIG. 17 described later is executed.

If it is determined in step S300 that the recommended printing condition use flag is ON, bidirectional communication is performed with the printer 30 connected via the IEEE 1394 I / F 19c in step S320. Know the model. In step S330, the HDD 17 is accessed, and the print condition data of the photographic image 32a displayed on the display 32 when print execution is instructed in step S130 is acquired. In addition, when the BML file includes a condition described in a tag “<Recommended printing condition...>” In a tag “<A. get. In step S340, the above step S
The printer model specified by the print condition data obtained in 330 is compared with the connected printer obtained in step S320, and it is determined whether or not the specified printer is connected.

If it is not determined in step S340 that the designated printer is already connected, printing according to the printing conditions cannot be performed even if the recommended printing condition use flag is on, so an error occurs in step S350. After the message is displayed, the printing condition is set in step S440. If it is determined in step S340 that the designated printer has been connected, the process proceeds to step S360.
It is determined whether there are a plurality of connected printers acquired in step S320.

If it is not determined in step S360 that there are a plurality of connected printers, the connected printer is the printer specified by the print condition data. Start 63. If it is determined in step S360 that there are a plurality of connected printers, the priority set in the printer driver 63 of these printers is extracted in step S380, and a high-priority printer driver is started. In this way, after the printer driver 63 of the printer specified in the print condition data is activated in steps S370 and S380, the print processing in step S155 is executed.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the printing process in step S155. In this figure, in step S400, the printing condition data of the photographic image 32a stored in the printing condition directory of the HDD 17 or the "<recommended printing condition" in the "<A ... / A>" tag in the BML file. If there is a condition described in the tag “...”, the print condition data is extracted and passed to the activated printer driver 63. Further, in step S410, data such as a photograph 1 is extracted from the print target directory of the HDD 17 as print target data of the photo image 32a, and is transferred to the activated printer driver 63. Then, in step S420, it is determined whether or not printing in accordance with the print condition data can be executed by the connected printer controlled by the activated printer driver 63.

For example, a printer that is connected can print on a sheet size of “A3, A4” by changing the sheet feeder to be mounted. "A
If “3” is specified, or if a unit that enables double-sided printing is optional, and “duplex printing” is specified when the unit is not installed, printing cannot be performed. is there.

If it is determined in step S420 that printing can be executed, the printer driver 63 executes printing in step S480. At this time, the printer 3
0, print data that can be printed is generated, and the IEEE 1394 I / O 19 is generated together with a printer control command for executing printing adapted to the print condition data.
c to the printer 30. As a result, in the printer 30, the photographic image 32a to be printed is printed under the conditions according to the print condition data.

If it is not determined in step S420 that printing is executable, an error message indicating that printing is not possible under the recommended printing conditions is displayed in step S430. Further, in step S440, the printer properties shown in FIG. 10 are displayed to prompt the user to set the printing conditions. In step S450, the setting is received while the printer properties are displayed, and in step S460, “red,
It is determined whether the end, the cancellation, or the saving of the setting is selected by the pressing operation of one of the buttons “green, blue”. When the end is selected in the step S460, in the processing of the step S480, the above-mentioned step S4 is executed.
The printing is executed with the setting contents received at 50.

When cancel is selected in step S460, printing is not executed. When storage is selected in step S360, the user is caused to save the photographic image 32a while displaying a screen for allowing the user to select a location where the data of the photographic image 32a is to be stored in step S470. This stored data can be used later, and after the user prepares a printer or a sheet of a suitable size for the printing condition data, printing can be performed again under the recommended printing conditions.

Hereinafter, an operation example of the broadcast receiving system 10 having the above-described configuration and flow will be described. Here, it is assumed that the number of the printers 30 connected to the set-top box 11 is one, the printer driver 63 is already installed, and the recommended printing condition use flag is turned on. By operating the remote controller 33, the user can turn on the power of the set-top box 11 and start viewing the satellite broadcast. is there. The broadcasting company superimposes distribution data such as a moving image and the above-described screen display data on a broadcast wave as a program created by the broadcasting system 20 and outputs the program. In this situation, when a channel for data broadcasting is further selected by the remote controller 33, the separation unit 13 extracts a data signal from the transport stream output from the tuning / demodulation unit 12 and outputs the data signal to the bus.

At this time, the BML data for displaying the screen shown in FIG. 11 on the selected channel, the print target data which is the data of the photographic image 32a, and the print condition data for printing the photographic image 32a are distributed. Suppose it had been. Here, it is assumed that the printer 30 connected as the printer model is specified in the printing condition data. In step S100, it is determined that the data signal has been output to the bus, the BML browser 66 is started, and in step S200, each data content is determined from the data head. As a result, the BML data is stored in the BML directory in step S210, and the print target data and the print condition data are stored in step S210.
At 220, the print target directory and the print condition directory are stored.

In step S120, BML browser 66 displays a screen as shown in FIG. 11, and waits for a remote control operation. When the user wants to print the photo image 32a, the user selects the photo image 32a with the cross key on the remote controller 33 and presses down the enter button. At this time, the printer driver activation processing of step S150 and subsequent steps is executed based on the determination in step S130. In this printer driver activation process, it is determined in step S300 that the recommended printing condition use flag is ON, and in step S32
At 0, the information of the connected printer 30 is acquired. Step S
At 330, the print condition data stored in the print condition directory is acquired.

In this example, since the printer model specified by the print condition data is already connected as described above,
After the determination in steps S340 and S360, the printer driver 63 is activated. Thereafter, in step S400, the printing condition data is passed to the printer driver 63, and
In step S410, the print target data is transferred to the printer driver 63, and the printing is performed in step S480 through the determination in step S420. That is, in the present embodiment, printing is executed by the printer 30 only by the user selecting the data broadcast channel, selecting the photographic image 32a with the cross key, and pressing down the enter button, and the printing is performed. It is in line with the conditions. Since these print conditions are distributed at the same time as the distributed data to be distributed, it is possible to set the print conditions according to the intent of the distributor or creator of the print target or the ideal mode. Further, the user can obtain such an ideal print result without performing any environment setting or the like.

Although the print target data is a photographic image in the above-described embodiment, the print target data in the present invention is not limited to a photographic image, and various services can be provided depending on the type of the print target data. FIG. 18 shows a display display of a data broadcast according to the second embodiment. In the figure, a display 32 displays an image 32b of a book with an illustration, and is an example of a screen display in a program for introducing a book. The image 32b shows the spread of the book to be introduced. When the user selects the desired image with the arrow keys and presses the “green” button of the remote controller 33 to operate, the page of the book is spread and printed on both sides. You.

That is, the print target data is composed of image data indicating an illustration and text data of a sentence, and the print conditions of the print target are stored in the print condition directory of FIG. In the data, the illustration image data and the text data are stored under the file name of document 1, and the thumbnail data is stored in th
It is saved under the file name um_document 1. FIG.
Is a schematic diagram showing an example of a BML file in the present example. In the figure, the BML file is the BM of FIG.
It is stored in the L directory.

In the BML file, a tag for displaying the screen shown in FIG. 18 on the display 32 is described. That is, a link is indicated by the “<A ... / A>” tag, and the “<
IMG. . . The thumbnail image of the document 1 is designated by the “>” tag. After “PRN =”, the document 1 in the print target directory is designated. When the “green” button of the remote controller 33 is pressed while the image 32b is selected, the printer driver startup module is executed, and the printer that is started up as appropriate Document 1 is passed to the driver as print target data. Here also, "<Recommended printing condition ...
Since the “>” tag is described, when the recommended printing condition use flag is on, printing is performed using the printing condition. In this example, it is preferable to specify in the printing condition data such that an appropriate double-page spread is printed on both sides so that bookbinding can be performed after printing, and also specify the layout of the illustration and the text. That is, by specifying such conditions, the user can obtain the same as the original only by specifying the printing execution.

The data to be printed can adopt various formats other than those described above.
It may be composed of f data or the like. Needless to say, in addition to printing in such a bookbinding format, CD label data is distributed as print target data and printed by a printer capable of printing CD labels, thereby recording the data on the CD label distributor or CD. Various modes can be adopted, such as a configuration that faithfully reproduces the intention of the distributor of music data that will be performed.

As described above, in the present invention, when the selection of the print target is received, printing based on the print target data is executed by the printer by using the print condition data received as a part of the distribution data. Up the environment for Therefore, the setting process performed by the user in printing can be reduced, and the intention of the content creator can be faithfully reflected in the print result.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a transmission / reception system for satellite broadcasting.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating components of a broadcast receiving system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a broadcaster device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a specific internal configuration of the set-top box.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing components of a broadcast receiving system.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of software related to a control system.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a directory structure of an HDD.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a distributed BML file.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a print data format.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a printer property screen.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a screen display example of a BML browser.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a button arrangement of a remote controller.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a screen display example of a BML browser.

FIG. 14 is a general flowchart of a process performed when receiving a data broadcast.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a process of storing data in an HDD.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a process for executing an appropriate driver.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a printing process.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a display display of a data broadcast according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a BML file.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Broadcast receiving system 11 ... Set-top box 12 ... Tuning / demodulation part 13 ... Separation part 14 ... Decoder part 15 ... CPU 16 ... Memory part 17 ... HDD 18 ... Modem 19a ... Remote control I / F 19b ... IC card I / F 19c IEEE1394 I / F 20 Broadcasting system 21 Uplink device 22 Broadcaster device 23 Data distribution unit 24 Video encoding unit 25 Audio encoding unit 26 Data encoding unit 27 Multiplexing unit 28 Server computer 30 … Printer 31… Parabolic antenna 32… Display 32 a… Photographic image 33… Remote control 40… Satellite transponder 50… Internet 61… Main program 62… Separator driver 63… Printer driver 64… Driver 65… Download driver 66… B L browser 67 ... Download APL

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A communication terminal device capable of connecting a communication line serving as a transmission medium of distribution data, a display device for displaying distribution contents, and a printer, and for printing a print target via a predetermined communication line. Data distribution receiving means for receiving distribution of print target data and screen display data for performing predetermined screen display, and distribution data storage means for storing the print target data and screen display data received by the data distribution receiving means Screen display means for displaying predetermined distribution contents on the display device based on the screen display data stored in the distribution data storage means and displaying an interface for receiving selection of a print target; Selection accepting means for accepting selection of a print target while visually recognizing the interface; and selection of the print target by the selection input means. Communication terminal apparatus characterized by comprising a printing environment setting means for setting the environment for executing printing based on the print data at the printer when the accepted. 2. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the print environment setting unit activates a print execution module that controls the printer when the selection of the print target is received. Communication terminal device. 3. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the screen display data includes data indicating a print environment setting module to be activated when setting the print environment. Wherein the print environment setting means refers to data indicating the print environment setting module when the selection of the print target is received, and activates the corresponding print environment setting module. . 4. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the data distribution receiving unit prints a condition suitable for printing the print target via a predetermined communication line. The distribution data storage unit receives the distribution of the condition data, the distribution data storage unit stores the received print condition data, and the print environment setting unit controls the printer so as to conform to the print condition data stored in the distribution data storage unit. A communication terminal device for executing printing based on the print target data. 5. The communication terminal device according to claim 4, wherein said print environment setting means can receive a selection as to whether or not to conform to said print condition data, and select not to conform to said print condition data. A communication terminal device for allowing the user to set the printing conditions of the printing target when the operation is performed. 6. The communication terminal device according to claim 4, wherein the print condition data includes a print paper size, a print paper quality, a print direction, an allocation of a print target, and a print surface. A communication terminal device, which is data indicating any one or a combination of a printer and a printer model. 7. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the data distribution receiving unit controls a printer connected to data of an application program used in the communication terminal device. A communication terminal device that receives distribution of any one or a combination of data of a print execution module. 8. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein an identification information input means for inputting identification information of the user, and an external authentication server through a two-way communication. Identification information authenticating means for transmitting and receiving the above information to determine whether or not the identification information input to the identification information input means belongs to a proper user; and a user authenticated by the identification information authenticating means. And a charging unit for performing charging according to the contents of the environment set by the printing environment setting unit when the printing is performed. 9. A communication terminal control method for controlling a communication terminal capable of connecting a communication line serving as a transmission medium of distribution data, a display device for displaying distribution contents, and a printer, the method comprising: printing via a predetermined communication line A data distribution receiving step of receiving distribution of print target data for printing the target and screen display data for performing a predetermined screen display; and a print target data and screen display data received by the data distribution receiving step. A distribution data storing step of storing the data in a predetermined storage area; and displaying a predetermined distribution content on the display device based on the screen display data stored in the storage area in the distribution data storing step, and selecting a print target. Screen display step of displaying an interface for accepting a user, and accepting selection of a print target while the user visually recognizes the interface And a print environment setting step of setting an environment for executing printing based on the print target data in the printer when the selection of the print target is received in the selection input step. A communication terminal control method comprising: 10. A medium for recording a communication terminal serving as a transmission medium of distribution data, a communication terminal control program for controlling a communication terminal capable of connecting a display device for displaying distribution contents, and a printer, and a predetermined communication line. A data distribution accepting function for accepting distribution of print target data for printing a print target and screen display data for causing a predetermined screen display to be stored via a predetermined storage area; A screen display function for displaying a predetermined distribution content based on the screen display data stored in the storage area and displaying an interface for accepting selection of a print target; And a selection accepting function for accepting the selection of the print target when the selection of the print target is accepted by the selection input function. Medium recording a communication terminal control program for causing executed by printer and print environment setting function of setting an environment for executing printing based on the print data to the computer. 11. A data distribution device capable of connecting a distribution data output device and a distribution data transmission device, wherein screen display data for displaying a predetermined screen output from the output device and a print target are provided. Distribution data receiving means for receiving print target data for printing and print condition data indicating conditions suitable for printing the print target; screen display data, print target data, and printing received by the distribution data receiving means; Distribution data modulating means for modulating the condition data with a predetermined communication line as a transmission medium, and a modulated signal output for outputting a signal modulated by the distribution data modulating means to the transmission device And a means for distributing data. 12. A data distribution method for transmitting distribution data output from a predetermined output device by a predetermined transmission device, wherein a screen display for displaying a predetermined screen output by the output device is provided. A delivery data receiving step of receiving data and print target data for printing the print target and print condition data indicating conditions suitable for printing the print target, and screen display data received in the distribution data receiving step. A distribution data modulation step of performing modulation for transmitting print target data and print condition data using a predetermined communication line as a transmission medium; and transmitting a signal modulated in the distribution data modulation step to the transmission device. Outputting a modulated signal. 13. A medium recording a data distribution control program for transmitting distribution data output from a predetermined output device by a predetermined transmission device, wherein a predetermined screen displayed by the output device is displayed. A distribution data receiving function for receiving, via a predetermined input interface, screen display data for causing the print target data to be printed, print target data for printing the print target, and print condition data indicating conditions suitable for printing the print target; A distribution data modulation function that controls the data encoder and modulates the screen display data, print target data, and print condition data received by the distribution data reception function to transmit the data using a predetermined communication line as a transmission medium. And a modulation for outputting a signal modulated by the distribution data modulation function to the transmission device via a predetermined output interface. A medium having recorded thereon a data distribution control program for causing a computer to realize a signal output function.