JP2002305483A - Data distribution system and control method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data distribution system and a control method therefor, by which a user can conveniently obtain desired information, whenever and wherever it is desired. SOLUTION: A data broadcasting apparatus transmits a data frame, composed of header information consisting of a contents ID for identifying contents data, contents transmission period of the time and the next contents transmission time, and contents data. For each contents ID inputted by the user, a data- receiving terminal stores a schedule table, in which contents transmission finish time or next contents transmission time, and receives the data frame corresponding to the contents ID registered by the user at the time, based on the contents transmission finish time or the next contents transmission time which is registered in the schedule table.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique relating to information distribution and information collection by digital data broadcasting.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, when trying to obtain desired information,
For example, in the case of using an environment such as the WWW (World Wide Web), the user himself / herself actively searches for and finds a site storing the information, and accesses information provided from this site. Have been done. Meanwhile, various broadcasting services using digital data broadcasting have also been started. When information is provided in such a broadcast form, the user views the information provided unilaterally.

[0003]

As described above, in the conventional information search represented by the WWW or the like, it is necessary for the user to actively search a site in which desired information is stored.
Broadcast digital data broadcasting, on the other hand, is efficient for distributing large amounts of data to multiple sites due to the characteristics of broadcasting, but users cannot collect information according to their own demands. Was.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a data distribution system and a control method thereof that enable a user to easily obtain desired information anytime and anywhere.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided a data distribution system comprising a data broadcasting device used for digital data broadcasting and a plurality of data receiving terminals, wherein the data broadcasting device transmits content data to be transmitted. Header information including a content ID for identification, a content transmission time indicating a time required to transmit the content data, and a next content transmission time indicating a next transmission time of the data identified by the content ID; Content data, and transmitting means for transmitting a data frame composed of: the data receiving terminal; receiving means for receiving the data frame; and, for each content ID input by a user, the header information of the header information. The content transmission time has elapsed since the reception end time Storing a schedule table in which the content transmission end time or the next content transmission time is registered, and further storing the received content data; and referring to the schedule table, At the end time or the time based on the next content transmission time, the data / data corresponding to the content ID registered by the user
And receiving control means for controlling the receiving means so as to selectively receive a frame.

The present invention also relates to a data broadcasting device for broadcasting digital data in a data distribution system used for digital data broadcasting, wherein the transmitting means transmits a data frame including header information and content data; The header information includes a content ID for identifying the content data, a content transmission time indicating a time required for transmitting the content data, and a next content transmission indicating a next time when the data identified by the content ID is transmitted. Set the time,
And data frame generating means for generating the data frame to which the corresponding content data is added.

Further, the present invention relates to a data receiving terminal for receiving digital data in a data distribution system used for digital data broadcasting, wherein a content ID for identifying content data and a content indicating transmission time of the content data are provided. Receiving means for receiving a data frame composed of header information including a transmission time and a next content transmission time indicating a next time at which the data identified by the content ID is transmitted, and the content data; For each of the content IDs input by the following, a content transmission end time which is a time elapsed by the content transmission time from the reception end time of the header information or a schedule table in which the next content transmission time is registered, is further stored. Received content The data frame corresponding to the content ID registered by the user is selectively stored at the time based on the content transmission end time or the next content transmission time by referring to the schedule table. Receiving control means for controlling the receiving means so as to receive the data.

Further, in the data receiving terminal of the present invention,
The reception control unit determines whether the content ID included in the data frame received by the reception unit matches any one of the content IDs registered in the schedule table, and determines whether the received content ID is If the content ID matches the content ID registered in the table, the next
If the received content ID registered in the table does not match the content ID registered in the schedule table, the content transmission end time is registered in the schedule table.

The present invention also relates to a method for controlling a data broadcasting device in a data distribution system used for digital data broadcasting, the method comprising: transmitting a data frame including header information and content data; A content ID for identifying the content data, a content transmission time indicating a time required for transmitting the content data, and a next content transmission time indicating a next time for transmitting data identified by the content ID are set. Generating the data frame to which the corresponding content data is added.

[0010] The present invention also relates to a method for controlling a data receiving terminal in a data distribution system used for digital data broadcasting, comprising: a content ID for identifying content data; a content transmission time indicating a transmission time of the content data; A procedure for receiving a data frame composed of header information consisting of the next content transmission time indicating the time at which the data identified by the content ID is transmitted next, and the content data; Storing, for each content ID, a schedule table in which the content transmission end time or the next content transmission time, which is the time elapsed by the content transmission time from the reception end time of the header information, is registered; Stores content data Referring to the schedule table and selectively receiving the data frame corresponding to the content ID registered by the user at the content transmission end time or at a time based on the next content transmission time. , Is included.

According to the present invention, in the control method of the data receiving terminal according to the present invention, it is preferable that the content ID included in the received data frame matches any one of the content IDs registered in the schedule table. And the content I received in the determination.
D is the content I registered in the schedule table
D, the next content transmission time is registered in the schedule table. If the content ID received in the determination does not match the content ID registered in the schedule table, the content transmission end time is scheduled.・ To register in the table,
Is further included.

Further, the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 5.

Further, the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 6 or 7.

Further, the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 8 is recorded.

Further, the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 9 is recorded.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a data distribution system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The data distribution system according to the present embodiment includes a data broadcasting device 1 for transmitting a data frame having a format described below, and a plurality of data receiving terminals 2 for receiving the data frame. The format of the data frame broadcast from the data broadcasting device 1 is as follows (see FIG. 2).

(1) Content ID (cid): This content ID is an ID (identifier) representing the type (genre) of the content determined in advance on the transmitting side and the receiving side. For example, a numerical value or a character string corresponding to each genre such as weather forecast, stock information, and sports news is used. Note that this content ID may be configured in a hierarchical manner such as a decimal classification method. (2) Content transmission time (Δt): transmission time (required time) during content data broadcasting.

(3) Next content transmission time (Tn):
Next time, the information of the same content ID (the content I
D is a time to broadcast a data frame including content data corresponding to D). (4) Content data: The data body of the transmitted content data. As described above, the data broadcasting device 1
The data frame broadcasted from is composed of the above four fields. Note that the above (1) to (3) are called header information. The size of the header information is separately determined and fixed.

Here, the configuration of the data broadcasting device 1 will be described.

The data broadcasting device 1 includes a storage unit 11 for storing a content ID registered in advance, a content transmission time, a next content transmission time, and content data corresponding to the content ID.
D, and a processing unit 12 including a data frame generating unit 12a that uses the content transmission time, the next content transmission time, and the content data corresponding to the content ID as one data frame, and transmits the data frame. The transmission unit 13 is provided. This data frame is transmitted at the time set as the next content transmission time (Tn).

Next, the configuration of the data receiving terminal 2 will be described.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a receiving unit that receives a data frame broadcast from the data broadcasting device 1. Reference numeral 22 denotes an input unit (input device), which receives a predetermined input operation by the user. The input unit 22 includes at least
An input for registering the content ID and an operation for displaying the accumulated content data are received. Reference numeral 23 denotes a storage unit that stores the received content data in association with the content ID, and further stores the following schedule table.

The schedule table contains the contents I
D and the corresponding content transmission end time (t
n) or a table in which the next content transmission time (Tn) is set. Note that the content transmission end time is a time that has elapsed by the content transmission time from the header information reception end time, and is a time at which transmission of a data frame including the next content data is started. Reference numeral 24a denotes a content ID registration unit. When a user performs an input operation for registering a new content ID, the content ID registration unit additionally registers the newly input content ID in the schedule table. When operations such as deletion and change are performed, the schedule table is rewritten according to these operations.

Reference numeral 24b denotes a reception control unit, which controls ON / OFF of the reception function of the reception unit 21 based on the contents of the schedule table. This reception control unit 24b
Determines whether or not the content ID included in the data frame received by the receiving unit 21 matches any of the content IDs registered in the schedule table. The content data following the information is further received (O
N), the following data management unit 24c stores the received content data in the storage unit 23. And furthermore,
Schedule the next content transmission time in the header information
It is set in the field corresponding to the content ID on the table. Then, at the next content transmission time set in the schedule table for the receiving unit 21,
A data frame including the content data corresponding to the content ID is received again (again).

The contents I of the received header information
If D does not match any of the content IDs registered in the schedule table, after reception of the header information by the reception unit 21, subsequent reception is stopped (OF).
F), the content transmission end time is set in the field corresponding to the content ID on the schedule table. Then, at the content transmission end time, the data frame is received again (ON). in this case,
After the header information of the previously received data frame is received, the content data of this data frame is not received, and the subsequent data frame including the next content data is received.

Reference numeral 24c denotes a data management unit, and stores the received content data in the storage unit 23 in association with the content ID. In addition, a predetermined operation by the user via the input unit 22 causes the display unit 25 to output content data corresponding to the genre (content ID) specified by the user. Display unit (display device) 25
Displays content data and the like. The processing unit 24 includes the content ID registration unit 24a, the reception control unit 24b, and the data management unit 24c.

The storage units 11 and 23 are provided with an EEPROM.
(Electrically Erasable Pr
ogrammable Read-Only Memo
ry) and a non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk or a magneto-optical disk. In addition, the data frame generation unit 12a of the data broadcasting device 1 and the content ID registration unit 24a, the reception control unit 24b, and the data management unit 24c of the data reception terminal 2 are each implemented by a memory and a CPU (central processing unit). Included in the configured processing units 12 and 24, and a program (not shown) for realizing each function of the processing units 12 and 24 is loaded into a memory and executed to realize the function. I do. The input unit 22 is an input device such as a keypad or a pointing device.
Means a liquid crystal display device or the like. The data receiving terminal 2 of the present embodiment is a PDA (Person) capable of wireless communication.
al Digital Assistant) or the like.

Next, the operation of the data distribution system of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to the operation flowchart of FIG.

The data broadcasting device 1 generates and broadcasts (transmits) a data frame in the above format at a predetermined time. Here, for the data receiving terminal 2,
When an input operation for registering a new (first) content ID is performed by the user (when it is determined in step S11 that there is an input for registration), the input content ID is stored in a schedule. It is additionally registered in the table (step S21).

Then, the reception control unit 24b causes the reception unit 21 to receive the header information of the data frame transmitted most recently (turns on the reception function), and acquires the content ID (cid) from the received header information. (Step S
22). Next, the received content ID (cid)
It is determined whether it matches the content ID registered by the user (step S14).

If it is determined in step S14 that the received content ID (CID) matches the registered content ID, the reception control unit 24b causes the reception unit 21 to receive the subsequent content data, The receiving function is turned off, and the received content data is stored in the storage unit 23 (step S15). Further, the next content transmission time (T
n) is set in the schedule table (step S)
16).

On the other hand, in the judgment of step S14, the received content ID (cid) is
If it is determined that does not match the reception control unit 24b
The receiving function of the receiving unit 21 is turned off (step S1).
7). Then, the content transmission end time tn is set in the schedule table (step S18).

Then, the processing of steps S11 to S18 is repeated until content data matching the registered content ID is received. Step S12
Is determined whether one or more content IDs are registered in the schedule table. And
If registered, in step S13, the data frame (header information) is again received at the content transmission end time tn after the header information is received until the target content data is received (step S13) ( Turn on the receiving function).

After receiving the target content data, a data frame corresponding to the target content ID is received at the next content transmission time (Tn) set in the schedule table. As described above, the data receiving terminal 2 performs the processing until the target content data is received.
An energy-saving receiving operation of turning on the receiving function only when the header information is transmitted is performed.

As described above, in the data distribution system of the present embodiment, the data receiving terminal 2 simply registers the content ID for identifying the genre of the content that the user desires to obtain information, 2
Perform selective reception and data storage. Therefore, the user can use the energy-saving portable data receiving terminal 2 (for example, a PDA capable of wireless communication) at any time.
You can always refer to the latest information. Further, the storage of the received content data may be performed over a plurality of versions. By doing so, it is possible to refer to information from the latest version to past information.

The operation flow described above is an example, and is not limited to the above-described processing flow. Further, a program for realizing some or all of the functions of the processing unit 12 or 24 in FIG. 1 is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium is read by a computer system. The execution may control the data broadcasting device 1 or the data terminal device 2. Here, the “computer system” includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices.

The "computer-readable recording medium" is a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk,
It refers to a portable medium such as a ROM or a CD-ROM, or a storage device such as a hard disk built in a computer system. Furthermore, "computer readable recording medium"
When a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line, the program is held for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory (RAM) in a computer system serving as a server or a client when the program is transmitted. Including those that are

The above program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" for transmitting a program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line. Further, the program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. further,
What can realize the above-mentioned function in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, that is, a so-called difference file (difference program) may be used.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and the configuration and the like may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. included.

[0041]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the data broadcasting device indicates the content ID for identifying the content data to be transmitted and the time required for transmitting the content data. At a preset time, a data frame composed of header information including the content transmission time and the next content transmission time indicating the time at which the data identified by the content ID is transmitted and the content data is transmitted. ,
The data receiving terminal refers to the schedule table in which the content transmission end time or the next content transmission time is registered for each content ID input by the user, and based on the content transmission end time or the next content transmission time according to the condition. Since the receiving unit is controlled so as to selectively receive the data frame corresponding to the content ID registered by the user at the time, power consumption in the data receiving terminal can be reduced. Therefore, a portable receiving terminal requiring low power consumption can be used as the data receiving terminal. Also, since the content data corresponding to the content ID input by the user is received and stored, the user can refer to the stored content data at any time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a data distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a format example of a data frame according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart in the data receiving terminal of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Data broadcasting apparatus 11, 23 ... Storage part (storage means) 12, 24 ... Processing part 13 ... Transmission part (transmission means) 12a ... Data frame generation part (data frame generation part) 2 ... Data receiving terminal 21 ... Receiving part (receiving means) 22 ... input part (input device) 24a ... content ID registration part 24b ... reception control part (reception control means) 24c ... data management part 25 ... display part (display device)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 7/16 H04N 5/91 LF term (Reference) 5C025 AA01 AA23 BA14 DA01 DA05 5C052 CC06 DD10 5C053 FA20 FA30 GB06 JA21 KA01 KA24 LA06 LA07 5C064 BA07 BB05 BB10 BC18 BC20 BC23 BC25 BD07 BD08 BD14

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A data distribution system comprising a data broadcasting device used for digital data broadcasting and a plurality of data receiving terminals, wherein the data broadcasting device transmits a content ID for identifying content data to be transmitted, and transmits the content data. A data frame composed of header information including a content transmission time indicating a time required to perform the data transmission and a next content transmission time indicating a time at which the data identified by the content ID is transmitted next time, and the content data. Transmitting means for transmitting, the data receiving terminal comprising: receiving means for receiving the data frame; and for each content ID input by a user, a time elapsed by the content transmission time from the reception end time of the header information. Is the content transmission end time Schedule the next time content transmission time is registered,
A storage unit for storing a received content data, and a content ID registered by a user at a time based on the content transmission end time or the next content transmission time with reference to the schedule table. And a reception control unit for controlling the reception unit so as to selectively receive the corresponding data frame. 2. A data distribution system for broadcasting digital data in a data distribution system used for digital data broadcasting, comprising: a transmitting unit for transmitting a data frame including header information and content data; A content ID for identifying the content data, a content transmission time indicating a time required for transmitting the content data, and a next content transmission time indicating a next time for transmitting data identified by the content ID are set. And a data frame generating means for generating the data frame to which the corresponding content data is added. 3. A data receiving terminal for receiving digital data in a data distribution system used for digital data broadcasting, comprising: a content ID for identifying content data; a content transmission time indicating a transmission time of the content data; Receiving means for receiving a data frame composed of header information consisting of the next content transmission time indicating the time at which the data identified by the content ID is transmitted, and the content data; and A schedule in which the content transmission end time or the next content transmission time, which is the time elapsed by the content transmission time from the header information reception end time, is registered for each content ID.
A storage unit for storing a received content data, and a content ID registered by a user at a time based on the content transmission end time or the next content transmission time with reference to the schedule table. And a reception control means for controlling the reception means so as to selectively receive the corresponding data frame. 4. The reception control unit determines whether a content ID included in a data frame received by the reception unit matches any one of content IDs registered in a schedule table, and If the content ID matches the content ID registered in the schedule table, the next content transmission time is registered in the schedule table,
4. The data receiving terminal according to claim 1, wherein when the received content ID does not match the content ID registered in the schedule table, the content transmission end time is registered in the schedule table. . 5. A method for controlling a data broadcasting device in a data distribution system used for digital data broadcasting, comprising: transmitting a data frame including header information and content data; and transmitting the content data to the header information. A content ID for identification, a content transmission time indicating a time required to transmit the content data, and a next content transmission time indicating a next time to transmit data identified by the content ID are set. Generating the data frame to which content data has been added. 6. A method for controlling a data receiving terminal in a data distribution system used for digital data broadcasting, comprising: a content ID for identifying content data; a content transmission time indicating a transmission time of the content data; A procedure for receiving a data frame composed of header information consisting of the next content transmission time indicating the time at which the data identified by the ID is transmitted, and the content data; and for each content ID input by the user. A schedule in which the content transmission end time or the next content transmission time which is a time elapsed by the content transmission time from the reception end time of the header information is registered.
A procedure for storing a table; a procedure for storing received content data; and a content ID registered by a user at a time based on the content transmission end time or the next content transmission time with reference to the schedule table. And selectively receiving the data frame corresponding to (i). 7. A procedure for determining whether a content ID included in a received data frame matches one of content IDs registered in a schedule table, and determining whether the content ID received in the determination is a schedule ID. If the content ID matches the content ID registered in the table, the next content transmission time is registered in the schedule table. If the content ID received in the determination does not match the content ID registered in the schedule table,
7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: registering the content transmission end time in a schedule table. 8. A program for causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 5. 9. A program for causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 6 or 7. 10. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 8 is recorded. 11. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 9 is recorded.