JP2008118494A - Receiver control system, transmitter and receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficient control a specific receiver in a CATV network by transmitting control information from a terminal outside the CATV network thereto. <P>SOLUTION: A transmitter (CATV station), when a request such as program recording reservation from the terminal outside the CATV network to the specific receiver in the CATV network is accepted, transmits an instruction signal corresponding to the request by repeatedly multiplexing the instruction signal to data broadcast by a data broadcast format, the applicable receiver, when the instruction signal to itself is received, transmits a reception completion signal to the CATV station and thus, the specific receiver is efficiently controlled from the terminal outside the CATV network. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a receiving apparatus control system for controlling a receiving apparatus in video distribution.

  2. Description of the Related Art A mechanism for retransmitting a satellite broadcast or terrestrial broadcast program to its own wired transmission path has been realized in a cable provider such as a CATV (CAble TeleVision) operator. CATV operators have come to provide a new service that allows a receiver to have a data storage function so that a user can record a retransmitted program at home. On the other hand, some commercially available recording apparatuses have a network function, and in addition to recording at home and recording reservation, a service for recording reservation from a mobile phone or the like is also realized. If the home recording device has a fixed global IP (Internet Protocol) address, the home recording device can be accessed from a mobile phone via a server on the Internet. Allocated IP addresses are often local IP addresses whose values may change each time. A local IP address that can be used only at home and an original global IP address that can be used for Internet access are mutually linked. Thus, a device called NAT (Network Address Translation) is installed at home so that a recording device to which only a local IP address is assigned can access the Internet equivalently. However, an external mobile phone cannot directly access the home recording device over the NAT.

  In order to solve this problem, for example, in Patent Document 1, a client connected under the NAT uses a server called an IM server (Instant Messaging Server), and other clients and other clients Prior art has been disclosed that allows easy direct communication regardless of whether they are connected under the same NAT. By utilizing this technology, it becomes possible to access from a mobile phone to a home recording device having a local IP address.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional receiving apparatus control system disclosed in Patent Document 1. In FIG.

  In FIG. 6, the client 601 and the client 602 are registered in the IM server 603, and the client 601 has the same registration address of the client 601 and the registered address of the client 602 as to the IM server 603 via the NAT device 604. Requests a determination of no. The IM server 603 checks whether or not both addresses are the same, and notifies the client 601 of the determination result. When the determination result notified from the IM server 603 is not the same, the client 601 performs communication processing using the global address with the client 602, and when it is the same, performs communication processing using the local address.

  Also, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique related to a broadcast receiving apparatus and a broadcast system with a recording function that can make a recording reservation from a remote place such as a place where the user is going to record a broadcast program using the broadcast system. It is disclosed.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional receiving apparatus control system disclosed in Patent Document 2. In FIG.

In FIG. 7, a recording reservation receiving center 702 receives recording reservation data transmitted from a mobile phone 701. The recording reservation reception center 702 transmits a broadcast signal to the broadcast satellite 704 of the broadcast center 703 with the reservation data superimposed. Receiving device 705 that has received a broadcast signal transmitted from broadcast satellite 704 of broadcast center 703 controls recording reservation and records on hard disk 706 only when it is authenticated as an authorized user. The recording reservation state is transmitted to the mobile phone 701 via the electronic mail service provider 707 in the form of an electronic mail.
JP 2004-173240 A JP 2004-96395 A

  In the case of a network of CATV stations, a relay device called CMTS (Cable Modem Termination System) is set between the receiving device and the center. Usually, a device that manages which receiving device is connected to which SMTS is connected. not exist. Therefore, the receiving apparatus cannot directly access from the outside. In Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 6, it is possible to easily communicate directly with another client using the IM server 603 regardless of whether the other client is connected under the same NAT. However, there is no means for the IM server 603 to know which receiving device is under which CMTS, and eventually the receiving device cannot be accessed from a device outside the network to which the receiving device is connected. For example, a mobile phone outside the CATV network has a problem that it cannot access a receiving device inside the CATV network.

  In Patent Document 2, since broadcast waves are used as shown in FIG. 7, information can be transmitted to the receiving device 705 from outside the network to which the receiving device is connected. Since it is not known whether the information has been received from the outside, it is necessary to transmit the information from the outside forever, and there is a problem that the bandwidth is unnecessarily occupied. In addition, if the transmission is performed only for a short time, there is a high possibility that the receiving device 705 will fail to receive the information. This requires troublesome measures such as making a reservation again at the recording reservation reception center 702, which is troublesome.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems. In a broadcasting system connected by a network, data related to a command signal such as a program recording reservation received by a transmitting station (transmitting device) from a device outside the network is transmitted to the network. When data is transmitted to the receiving device via the data, the data related to the command signal is converted into a data broadcast format and repeatedly multiplexed with the data broadcast data related to the broadcast program, and the receiving device completes reception of the data related to the command signal. In such a case, by sending a reception completion signal back to the transmitting station (transmitting device), the receiving device can reliably receive command signals such as program recording reservations from devices outside the network by efficiently using the transmission band. The purpose is to provide functions that can be performed.

In order to achieve the above object, the receiving device control system according to the first invention of the present application (corresponding to claim 1) is connected to each other via the first network, and video / audio data of a broadcast program, data of data broadcast, etc. And a receiving device configured to receive at least one receiving device for receiving video / audio data of the broadcast program and data of the data broadcast transmitted from the transmitting device via the first network. A control system,
The transmitting device receives data generating means for generating a signal of a data broadcasting format such as terrestrial digital broadcasting, and a signal generated by the data generating means and a video / audio data of a broadcast program by the receiving device. Program information generating means for generating program information necessary for the transmission, and at least a signal generated by the data generating means and a signal of the program information generated by the program information generating means are transmitted to the first network. A transmission unit, a first communication unit that communicates with the receiving device via the first network, a second communication unit that communicates via a second network, and the second network. Command processing means for processing a command to the specific receiving device received by the second communication means, and the specific means in the second communication means Each time a command to the receiving device is received, for the signal (a) generated by the data generating means, information indicating each of the specific receiving devices processed by the command processing means and each of the information The command to the specific receiving device is repeatedly described, and the information indicating each of the specific receiving devices and the signal (A) in which the command to each of the specific receiving devices is repeatedly described are transmitted. Means to transmit to the first network;
The receiving device includes: a receiving unit that receives a signal in the data broadcasting format transmitted from the transmitting device via the first network; an analyzing unit that analyzes the signal received by the receiving unit; Communication means for communicating via the network of
As a result of analysis by the analysis unit, when it is confirmed that the signal received by the reception unit is specific content for its own reception device, the communication unit transmits the first transmission device via the first network. A reception end signal is transmitted to the first communication means.

A receiving device control system according to a second invention of the present application (corresponding to claim 2) is connected to each other via a first network, and a transmitting device that transmits video / audio data of a broadcast program, data of data broadcast, and the like. A receiving apparatus control system comprising at least one receiving apparatus for receiving video / audio data of the broadcast program and data of the data broadcast transmitted from the transmitting apparatus via the first network;
The transmission device is necessary for receiving data broadcast receiving means for receiving data broadcast such as digital terrestrial broadcasting, and data received by the data broadcast receiving means, video / audio data of broadcast programs, etc. Program information generating means for generating correct program information, first communication means for communicating with the receiving device via the first network, second communication means for communicating via a second network, Command processing means for processing a command to the specific receiving device received by the second communication means via the second network, and a signal processed by the command processing means in the format of the data broadcast A data broadcast editing means for describing the data, and multiplexing the described data on the data broadcast data received by the data broadcast receiving means; A transmission means for transmitting the signal received by the data broadcast receiving means and the signal of the program information generated by the program information generating means to the first network, and the second communication means Each time a command signal for the receiving device is received, in the data broadcast editing unit, information indicating each of the specific receiving devices processed by the command processing unit and a command to each of the specific receiving devices Is described in the data broadcast format data, the described data is repeatedly multiplexed with the data broadcast data received by the data broadcast receiving means, and the multiplexed signal is transmitted from the transmitting means to the first network. Is to send,
The receiving device includes: a receiving unit that receives a signal in the data broadcasting format transmitted from the transmitting device via the first network; an analyzing unit that analyzes the signal received by the receiving unit; Communication means for communicating via the network, and as a result of analysis by the analysis means, when confirming that the signal received by the reception means is specific content for its own receiving device, from the communication means A reception end signal is transmitted to the first communication means of the transmission device via a first network.

Further, a transmission device of a third invention of the present application (corresponding to claim 3) is a transmission device constituting the reception device control system of the first invention of the present application,
Data generation means for generating a signal of a data broadcast format such as terrestrial digital broadcast;
Program information generating means for generating program information necessary for receiving the signal generated by the data generating means and signals such as video / audio data of a broadcast program by the receiving device, and at least generated by the data generating means A transmission means for transmitting the received signal and the signal of the program information generated by the program information generation means to a first network, and a first communication means for communicating with the receiving device or the like via the first network And a second communication means for communicating via the second network, and a command processing means for processing a command to the specific receiving device received by the second communication means via the second network Each time the second communication means receives a command for the specific receiving device, the command for the signal (b) generated by the data generation means Information indicating each of the specific receiving devices processed by the processing means and a command to each of the specific receiving devices are repeatedly described, and information indicating each of the specific receiving devices and the specific The signal (b) in which a command to the receiving device is repeatedly described is transmitted from the transmitting means to the first network.

  A transmission device according to a fourth invention of the present application (corresponding to claim 4) is a transmission device that constitutes a reception device control system according to the second invention of the present application, and receives a data broadcast such as a terrestrial digital broadcast. Data broadcast receiving means; program information generating means for generating program information necessary for receiving data received by the data broadcast receiving means, video / audio data of broadcast programs, etc. by the receiving device; and A first communication unit that communicates with the receiving device via the second network, a second communication unit that communicates via the second network, and the second communication unit via the second network. A command processing means for processing a received command to the specific receiving device, and a signal processed by the command processing means are described by data in the format of the data broadcast, and the described data Data broadcast editing means for multiplexing the data broadcast data received by the data broadcast receiving means, at least the signal received by the data broadcast receiving means and the program information generated by the program information generating means A transmission means for transmitting a signal to the first network, and the command processing means in the data broadcast editing means each time a command signal for the specific receiving device is received by the second communication means. Information indicating each of the specific receiving devices processed and a command to each of the specific receiving devices are described by data in the format of the data broadcast, and the described data is received by the data broadcast receiving means And repeatedly multiplexing the data broadcast data, and transmitting the multiplexed signal from the transmission means to the first network. And it is characterized in and.

  A receiving device according to a fifth invention of the present application (corresponding to claim 5) is a receiving device that constitutes the receiving device control system of the first invention or the second invention of the present application. Receiving means for receiving a signal in a data broadcast format transmitted via the network, analysis means for analyzing the signal received by the receiving means, and communication means for communicating via the first network, As a result of the analysis by the analyzing means, when it is confirmed that the signal received by the receiving means has a specific content for its own receiving device, the first of the transmitting device is sent from the communication means via the first network. A reception end signal is transmitted to the communication means.

  The receiving device control system of the sixth invention of the present application (corresponding to claim 6) is the receiving device control system of the first invention or the second invention of the present application, in which the receiving device includes a receiving means and an analyzing means. A plurality of sets, wherein at least one of the receiving means and the analyzing means receives and analyzes a specific channel at the time of activation, or repeatedly receives and analyzes a specific channel at the time of activation. It is what.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 7), the receiving apparatus control system of the fifth aspect of the present invention comprises a plurality of sets of receiving means and analyzing means, and at least one set of the receiving means. The means and the analyzing means are characterized by receiving and analyzing a specific channel at the time of activation, or repeatedly receiving and analyzing a specific channel at the time of activation.

  The eighth aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 8) is the receiving apparatus control system according to the first aspect of the present invention or the second aspect of the present invention, wherein the receiving apparatus is connected via the first network. A function for inquiring the transmitting device about the presence of data relating to the instruction addressed to the transmitting device at the time of start-up or periodically at a predetermined time period, and the transmission device in response to the inquiry about the existence of the data. A function of receiving data relating to the instruction addressed to itself, wherein the transmission device inquires about the presence or absence of data relating to the instruction addressed to itself from the reception device through communication performed via the first network. On the other hand, when there is data for the inquiry, the data related to the command is sent to the receiving device via the first network. Further has a function of transmitting Te, it is characterized in.

  Further, the transmission device of the ninth invention of the present application (corresponding to claim 9) is the transmission device of the third invention or the fourth invention of the present application from the reception device by communication performed via the first network. In response to an inquiry about the presence or absence of data related to an instruction addressed to itself, if there is data related to an inquiry related to the instruction addressed to itself, the data related to the instruction addressed to itself is transmitted to the receiving device via the first network. It has the function to perform, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  The receiving device according to the tenth aspect of the present invention (corresponding to claim 10) is the receiving device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, wherein the receiving device is activated by a communication performed through the first network or at a predetermined time period. A function of periodically inquiring of the transmitting device whether or not there is data relating to the instruction addressed to itself, and the addressed to the self transmitted from the transmitting device via the first network in response to the inquiry about the presence or absence of data It further has a function of receiving data related to the instructions.

  According to the receiving apparatus control system of the present invention, an information terminal such as a mobile phone outside the network to which the transmitting apparatus and the receiving apparatus constituting the receiving apparatus control system are connected is connected to the receiving apparatus inside the network. Thus, control such as program recording reservation can be performed using the bandwidth efficiently.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a receiving apparatus control system in a CATV network according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The CATV network will be described as an example of the first network, and the Internet will be described as an example of the second network. However, the network form is not particularly limited to this.

  In FIG. 1, a CATV station (transmitting device) 110 includes first communication means (not shown) such as converting an Ethernet (registered trademark) signal so that the receiving device 100 communicates with the CATV station 110 via the CATV network 120. A second communication means (not shown) for receiving a command to the receiving device 100 transmitted via the Internet 140 from the CMTS 111 having a function as a mobile phone 150 and the mobile phone 150 outside the CATV network 120 Information indicating the receiving device that has processed the function and the command to the receiving device 100 received by the second communication means, etc., and has transmitted the command (eg, program recording reservation information). (STBID, which is a number) and program recording reservation information, and are sent to the MUX 114 as a reservation command. A CMTS 111 having a function as a processing unit (not shown), a command received by the second receiving unit, a reservation command processed and transmitted by the command processing unit, and a CMTS 111 having a function as the first communication unit A server 112 that manages information from the receiving device 100 that receives via the CATV network 120, program generation means (not shown) that generates a program signal such as independent broadcast, video / audio data and data of a broadcast program It has functions such as program information generating means (not shown) for generating program information necessary for receiving broadcast data and the like by the receiving device 100, and a signal from the program generating means and a program from the program information generating means Number from a digital broadcast receiving means (not shown) for receiving information, video / audio data of a broadcast program such as terrestrial digital broadcast, data of data broadcast, etc. A MUX (Multiplexer) 114 that converts and multiplexes information such that signals can be transmitted to the CATV network 120, and a signal from the MUX 114 is modulated by 64 QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation), and the modulated signal is converted into the CATV network 120. QAM 113 having a function as a transmitting means (not shown) for transmitting to the terminal.

  The digital broadcast receiving means includes at least data broadcast receiving means (not shown) for receiving data broadcast such as terrestrial digital broadcast.

  In addition, the program generating means includes a data generating means (not shown) having a function of generating a signal of a data broadcast format such as terrestrial digital broadcasting as one of functions for producing an independent program. ing.

  On the other hand, a STB (Set Top Box) 100 as a receiving device receives a first program selected by a user and performs QAM demodulation, and a TS (Transport Stream) demodulated by the first tuner unit 101. A first TS decoding unit 102 that receives a signal from the first tuner unit 101 and decodes and processes a TS signal of the first program selected by the user, and a first tuner unit 101 and a first TS decoding unit 102 are provided. The first BML analysis unit 103 that analyzes and processes BML (Broadband Markup Language) data such as data broadcast included in the signal decoded by the first receiving unit 201, and receives the second program selected by the user and performs QAM demodulation The second tuner unit 105 and the second tuner unit 105 The demodulated TS signal is received from the second tuner unit 105, and includes a second TS decoding unit 106 that decodes and processes the TS signal of the second program selected by the user, and the second tuner unit 105 and the second TS decoding unit 106. Second BML analysis means 107 for analyzing and processing BML (Broadband Markup Language) data such as data broadcast included in the signal decoded in the second reception means 202, and the received data are displayed on a TV (TeleVision) 130 Display means 104 for generating a display signal for communication, communication means 109 for performing processing for communication with the outside, and a cable modem for converting the signal generated by the communication means 109 into a format suitable for the CATV network 120 for communication 108 and various types in the receiving apparatus 100 Control means (a) (not shown) for controlling the above. This control means (a) is generally realized by a processor or the like mounted on the receiving apparatus 100.

  In addition, when making a program recording reservation for the receiving device 100 at home connected to the CATV network 120, the mobile phone 150 activates an existing browser or the like, inputs a URL (Uniform Resource Locator), etc. The server 112 of the CATV station 110 is accessed via 140. Note that the method of accessing by the mobile phone 150 is not particularly limited to the above method. In addition, the STB (receiving device) 100 is normally turned on at least partially in order to always receive an instruction such as program recording reservation from the outside of the network.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a flow of processing of the receiving apparatus control system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  The processing flow of the receiving apparatus control system in Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described below using FIG.

  When a user (user) makes a program recording reservation to the home receiving apparatus 100 connected to the CATV network 120 from the outside of the CATV network 120, the user uses the mobile phone 150 to set the second of the CATV station 110. The server 112 having the function of the communication means is accessed via the Internet 140 (S201).

  The accessed server 112 transmits an access screen to the accessed mobile phone 150 (S202), and the mobile phone 150 receives and displays the access screen sent from the server 112 on the browser screen or the like. The user uses the access screen displayed on the mobile phone 150 to input program recording reservation information, and transmits the input program recording reservation information to the server 112 (S203).

  The server 112 recognizes the telephone number of the mobile phone 150 that has transmitted the program recording reservation information (S204), and receives the unique number (STBID) of the receiving apparatus and the program recording reservation information that are registered in advance as a pair with the telephone number. The reservation command is transmitted to the MUX 114 (S205).

  Note that the user may input the STBID using the mobile phone 150 and transmit the STBID to the server 112 to authenticate the mobile phone number transmitted by the server 112 and the received STBID.

  As the program recording reservation information, the user may select the program presented on the access screen by the server 112 using the mobile phone 150, or the user may select the reservation time or the like in a specific format using the mobile phone 150. A channel or the like may be input, and is not particularly limited.

  The MUX 114 that has received the reservation command from the command processing means provided in the server 112 (S206), converts the reservation command into the data broadcast format (S207), and the data generation means (not shown) provided in the program generation means incorporated as the data broadcast. In the program information generating means (not shown) built-in, the information is repeatedly multiplexed (S208) with the TS information of a predetermined channel (assumed to be channel N) such as the portal program of the CATV station 110 generated by Edit / edit PMT (Program Map Table), which is program information necessary for the receiving means 100 to receive signals generated by the data generating means included in the program generating means and signals such as video / audio data of broadcast programs. Generate and add that the data broadcast is multiplexed, and reduce the generated PMT to At least the reservation command generated by the data generation means and converted into the data broadcast format is transmitted to the QAM 113 together with a signal that is repeatedly multiplexed. The QAM 113 performs 64QAM modulation on the signal received from the MUX 114, and then transmits the data as a data broadcast from the transmission means (not shown) included in the QAM 113 to the CATV network 120 (S209).

  In the receiving apparatus 100, there are two systems of receiving means, the first receiving means 201 and the second receiving means 202, and at the time of start-up, the first receiving means 201 receives the channel of the program received when the power was turned off last time. The second receiving unit 202 receives the portal channel of the CATV station 110, that is, the channel N (S210). In the second receiving unit 202, when the second tuner unit 105 receives the portal program (channel N), QAM demodulation is performed, and the TS signal in the demodulated signal is decoded by the second TS decoding unit 106 to obtain a TS signal. The video / audio data and the data broadcast are separated based on the included program information, and the video / audio data is transmitted to the video / audio data processing means (not shown), and the data broadcast is transmitted to the second BML analysis means 107. The second BML analyzing unit 107 analyzes and processes the BML data described in the data broadcast received from the second TS decoding unit 106 (S211). When the second BML analyzing unit 107 analyzes the received BML data and determines that the STBID of itself (the receiving device 100) and the program recording reservation command are described, the second BML analyzing unit 107 uses the control unit (a ) When the control means (a) is informed from the second BML analysis means 107 that its own STBID and program recording reservation command are described, the recording processing means (not shown) that handles the recording reservation of the program in the receiving apparatus 100, etc. 2), the same processing as the program recording reservation processing set by a normal remote control operation by the user is performed.

  When the program recording reservation processing is completed in the recording processing means, the communication means 109 of the receiving apparatus 100 transmits a reception end signal and STBID to the first communication means of the server 112 via the cable modem 108 and the CATV network 120. (S212).

  When the server 112 is notified from the CMTS 111 that the first receiving means has received the reception end signal and the STBID from the communication means 109 of the receiving apparatus 100 (S213), the STBID received by the second communication means is sent to the MUX 114. An instruction to stop repeatedly multiplexing data such as program recording reservation on the TS information of channel N is transmitted (S214). The MUX 114 that has received a command to stop multiplexing from the server 112 stops multiplexing data related to the corresponding STBID into the TS information of the channel N (S215).

  When the CATV station 110 receives and processes an instruction such as program recording reservation to a plurality of receiving apparatuses, it repeatedly continues to multiplex data regarding STBID into the TS information of channel N, and the reception ends. Only the data regarding the STBID of the receiving apparatus 100 that has transmitted the signal is deleted from the data regarding the STBID multiplexed in the TS information of the channel N.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of description of program recording reservation data in data broadcasting in which program recording reservation data is multiplexed.

  In FIG. 3, stbid = browser. getIRDID (5) is a command for starting a BML browser and reading a Conditional Access System (CAS) card ID of the receiving apparatus 100 as an STBID. If (stbid == DO_ROKUGA) on the second line is STBID of the mobile phone 150. The DO_ROKUGA, which is the STBID registered in the server 112, is compared with the CAS card ID, which is the STBID read by the instruction on the first line, and if they match, the recording reservation is executed. In addition, DoRokuga described in the third line is a newly defined recording reservation command. The number 0004.40F0.0001 in parentheses following DoRokuga is a value indicating a received program, and 0004 is a network ID (NWID). ), 40F0 is a TSID (Transport Stream ID), 0001 is a service ID (SID), 0004.40F0.0001 is a recording start time and end time, and 2000060809200 is 12 August 9, 2006. This shows that the recording reservation is made from 0:00 to 13:59 on August 9, 2006.

  As the recording information, an event ID table (EIT) defined by ARIB (Association of Radio Industries and Businesses) may be used in addition to NWID, TSID, and SID.

  Further, the STBID used is not particularly limited to the CAS card ID as long as the contractor can be specified such as the ID of the STB itself in addition to the CAS card ID.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flow of processing for program recording reservation in the receiving apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  In the following, the flow of the program recording reservation process in the receiving apparatus 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  When the user turns on and activates the receiving apparatus (STB) 100 (S401), the first tuner unit 101 of the first receiving unit 201 activates the program selected by the user before the power activation, that is, the previous power supply. Selects the channel (last channel) of the program received at the time of turning off.

  On the other hand, the second tuner unit 105 of the second receiving means 202 selects the portal channel N operated by the CATV station 110 (S402). The second tuner unit 105 receives the portal channel N and performs QAM demodulation (S403), and transmits the demodulated signal to the second TS decoding unit 106 of the second receiving means 202. The second TS decoding unit 106 receives the TS signal from the second tuner unit 105, decodes the TS signal (S404), and displays a signal for displaying the portal channel N via the second BML analysis unit 107 to the display unit 104. Send. The second BML analyzing means 107 determines whether or not the reservation instruction converted into the data broadcasting format is multiplexed on the data broadcasting TS signal in the signal decoded by the second TS decoding unit 106 (S405). If not multiplexed, the fact is notified to the control means (a), and the program recording reservation process is terminated (S410). On the other hand, when the reservation command is multiplexed with the TS signal of the data broadcast in the signal decoded by the second TS decoding unit 106, the second BML analyzing unit 107 outputs the BML data described in the TS signal of the data broadcast. (S406), if STBID is described, it is confirmed whether it is addressed to itself (S407), and the confirmed result is transmitted to the control means (a). If it is addressed to itself, the control means (a) causes the recording processing means to execute program recording reservation processing (S408), and if not addressed to itself, the recording processing means terminates the recording reservation processing (S410). When the reservation processing is executed in the recording processing means, the control means (a) sends the reception end signal and the STBID to the communication means 109 through the cable modem 108 and the CATV network 120 in the first communication of the CMTS 111 of the CATV station 110. Control is made so as to transmit to the server 112 via the means (S409), and the process is terminated (S410).

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, as an example of the description of the program recording reservation data when the program recording reservation data is multiplexed on the data broadcast of the portal channel N, the data shown in FIG. Although the description has been made based on the method in which the program recording reservation command is directly described in the broadcast and the data including the command is repeatedly transmitted (broadcast), the receiving device 100 receives data related to the program recording reservation command addressed to itself from the CATV station 110. Is not limited to this. For example, the receiving apparatus 100 is activated by communication performed via the CATV network 120 or periodically with respect to the server 112 of the CATV station 110 at a predetermined time period. Inquires about the existence of data related to the program recording reservation command addressed to himself / herself, and there is data related to the program recording reservation command addressed to the user If the may be a method of its program data relating to the recording reservation command from the CATV station 110 asked to multiplex and transmit (broadcast) the data broadcasting, receives a program recording reservation instruction addressed to.

  FIG. 5 shows a specific example in the case where the receiving apparatus 100 inquires the CATV station 110 about the presence / absence of data related to a program recording reservation command addressed to itself at the time of activation by communication or periodically at a predetermined time period. The description will be given with reference. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data broadcast description requesting the receiving apparatus 100 that has received BML data to execute processing.

  In FIG. 5, (A) is a command for accessing a server whose address is Server_address and inquiring whether a reservation command is registered to a receiving device with STBID 1234 with check_stbid = 1234; cmd = YOYAKU. . The server 112 that has received this command from the receiving apparatus 100 via the first communication means in the CATV network 120 and the CMTS 111 checks the registration contents, and if a program recording reservation command for STBID = 1234 is registered, FIG. Are multiplexed on the data broadcast as program recording reservation data, and the multiplexed data is transmitted to the receiving apparatus 100 of STBID = 1234. When the program recording reservation command for STBID = 1234 is not registered, data indicating that reservation is not made, such as empty BML data, is multiplexed on the data broadcast, and the multiplexed data is received in the receiving apparatus 100 of STBID = 1234. Send to.

  Next, an example in the case of periodically executing in a predetermined time cycle will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5B is a diagram showing an example of a data broadcast description that periodically executes the contents (commands) described in FIG.

  The contents (commands) described in (A) are executed by the Check Yoyaku described in (B). 1000 in (B) indicates a check cycle, and 1000 indicates a check periodically with a time period of 1000 ms.

  In the above example, the CATV station (transmitting device) 110 multiplexes data related to a command such as a program recording reservation command and transmits (broadcasts) data in response to a communication inquiry from the receiving device 100. However, data related to the program recording reservation command may be returned by direct communication in response to an inquiry from the receiving device 100 through communication.

  Further, as a method of receiving an instruction such as a program recording reservation instruction addressed to itself, at least one of the method described in the first embodiment of the present invention and the method performed by communication performed through the CATV network 120 described above. You may make it receive by.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, a program recording reservation is made using a mobile phone, but there is no particular limitation as long as it is a device that can be connected to an IP network, such as a personal computer or other portable information terminal.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the program recording reservation has been described as an example. However, the command to the receiving apparatus 100 is not particularly limited, such as channel selection or interruption of recording.

  Further, in the first embodiment of the present invention, when there is no data broadcast such as independent broadcast or when the program is suspended, the MUX 114 converts the data of the program recording reservation command into data of the data broadcast format, and the data for data broadcasting As an example, the case where the data broadcast is originally transmitted, the contents of the data broadcast are edited by the MUX 114, and the program is recorded on the data broadcast. A reservation command may be described.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the receiving apparatus 100 is provided with the two systems of receiving means 201 and 202 and the two systems of BML analyzing means 103 and 107 that can perform backside recording. Since it becomes expensive to install a system or more, a receiving apparatus (α) equipped with one system of receiving means 201 and BML analyzing means 103 is generally used. In such a receiving apparatus (α) equipped with only one system of receiving means 201 and BML analyzing means 103, the portal channel cannot be used as described in the first embodiment of the present invention. In general, it is necessary to convert an instruction such as a program recording reservation into a data broadcasting format and repeatedly multiplex it into a data broadcasting of a normal channel or a portal channel, and it is possible to know which channel the receiving device (α) is set to. Therefore, in all the normal channels, it is necessary to convert a command such as program recording reservation into the data broadcasting format and repeatedly multiplex the data broadcasting of each channel.

  On the other hand, in the receiving apparatus (α), as in the first embodiment of the present invention, the BML analyzing unit 103 analyzes the BML data, and commands such as a program recording reservation addressed to itself that are multiplexed with the data broadcast data When the program recording reservation process is completed, the communication means 109 of the receiving device (α) transmits the reception end signal and the STBID to the first communication means of the server 112 via the cable modem 108 and the CATV network 120. Send.

  The receiving apparatus control system according to the present invention can effectively use a bandwidth even for a network where the IP address of an STB (receiving apparatus) is unknown, such as a CATV network, and so The command can be transmitted with certainty, which is useful for program recording reservation from the outside of the network.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a receiving device control system in a CATV network according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The figure which showed the flow of the process of the receiver control system in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the description of the data for recording reservation in the data broadcasting by which the data for program recording reservation was multiplexed The figure which shows the flow of a process of the program recording reservation of the receiver in Embodiment 1 of this invention The figure which shows an example of the data broadcast description which requests | requires processing execution for the receiver which received BML data. A block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional receiver control system disclosed in Patent Document 1 Block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional receiving apparatus control system disclosed in Patent Document 2

Explanation of symbols

100 Receiver (STB)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 1st tuner part 102 1st TS decoding part 103 1st BML analysis means 104 Display means 105 2nd tuner part 106 2nd TS decoding part 107 2nd BML analysis means 108 Cable modem 109 Communication means 110 CATV station 111 CMTS
112 server 113 QAM
114 MUX
120 CATV network 130 TV
140 Internet 150 Mobile phone 201 First receiving means 202 Second receiving means 601 Client 602 Client 603 IM server 604 NAT device 701 Mobile phone 702 Recording reservation reception center 703 Broadcast center 704 Broadcast satellite 705 Receiver 706 HD (Hard disk)
707 E-mail service provider

Claims (10)

A transmitter connected to each other via a first network and transmitting video / audio data of a broadcast program, data of data broadcast, and the like, and a video / audio of the broadcast program transmitted by the transmitter via the first network A receiving device control system including at least one receiving device that receives data, data of the data broadcast, and the like,
The transmitter is
Data generation means for generating a signal of a data broadcast format such as terrestrial digital broadcast;
Program information generating means for generating program information necessary for receiving the signal generated by the data generating means and signals such as video / audio data of a broadcast program by the receiving device;
Transmitting means for transmitting at least the signal generated by the data generating means and the signal of the program information generated by the program information generating means to the first network;
First communication means for communicating with the receiving device or the like via the first network;
A second communication means for communicating via a second network;
Command processing means for processing a command to the specific receiving device received by the second communication means via the second network;
Each time the second communication means receives a command for the specific receiving device, each of the specific signals processed by the command processing means with respect to the signal (a) generated by the data generation means. Information indicating the receiving device and an instruction to each of the specific receiving devices are repeatedly described, and information indicating each of the specific receiving devices and an instruction to each of the specific receiving devices are repeatedly described. The signal (A) is transmitted from the transmission means to the first network,
The receiving device is:
Receiving means for receiving a signal of the data broadcast format transmitted from the transmitting device via the first network;
Analyzing means for analyzing the signal received by the receiving means;
Comprising communication means for communicating via the first network;
As a result of analysis by the analysis unit, when it is confirmed that the signal received by the reception unit is specific content for its own reception device, the communication unit transmits the first transmission device via the first network. Transmitting a reception end signal to the first communication means;
A receiver control system. A transmitter connected to each other via a first network and transmitting video / audio data of a broadcast program, data of data broadcast, and the like, and a video / audio of the broadcast program transmitted by the transmitter via the first network A receiving device control system including at least one receiving device that receives data, data of the data broadcast, and the like,
The transmitter is
Data broadcasting receiving means for receiving data broadcasting such as terrestrial digital broadcasting;
Program information generating means for generating program information necessary for receiving the data received by the data broadcast receiving means or video / audio data of a broadcast program by the receiving device;
First communication means for communicating with the receiving device or the like via the first network;
A second communication means for communicating via a second network;
Command processing means for processing a command to the specific receiving device received by the second communication means via the second network;
A data broadcast editing means for describing a signal processed by the command processing means in data in the format of the data broadcast, and multiplexing the described data on the data broadcast data received by the data broadcast receiving means;
Transmitting means for transmitting at least the signal received by the data broadcast receiving means and the program information signal generated by the program information generating means to the first network;
Each time the command signal for the specific receiving device is received in the second communication means, the data broadcast editing means, each of the information indicating the specific receiving device processed by the command processing means, and each A command to the specific receiving device is described in the data of the data broadcasting format, and the described data is repeatedly multiplexed with the data broadcasting data received by the data broadcasting receiving means, and the multiplexed signal is Transmitting from the transmitting means to the first network;
The receiving device is:
Receiving means for receiving a signal of the data broadcast format transmitted from the transmitting device via the first network;
Analyzing means for analyzing the signal received by the receiving means;
Comprising communication means for communicating via the first network;
As a result of analysis by the analysis unit, when it is confirmed that the signal received by the reception unit is specific content for its own reception device, the communication unit transmits the first transmission device via the first network. Transmitting a reception end signal to the first communication means;
A receiver control system. A transmission device constituting the reception device control system according to claim 1,
Data generation means for generating a signal of a data broadcast format such as terrestrial digital broadcast;
Program information generating means for generating program information necessary for receiving the signal generated by the data generating means and signals such as video / audio data of a broadcast program by the receiving device;
Transmitting means for transmitting at least the signal generated by the data generating means and the signal of the program information generated by the program information generating means to the first network;
First communication means for communicating with the receiving device or the like via the first network;
A second communication means for communicating via a second network;
Command processing means for processing a command to the specific receiving device received by the second communication means via the second network;
Each time the second communication means receives a command for the specific receiving device, each of the specific signals processed by the command processing means with respect to the signal (a) generated by the data generation means. The information indicating the receiving device and the command to each of the specific receiving devices are repeatedly described, and the information indicating each of the specific receiving devices and the command to the specific receiving device are repeatedly described. A transmission apparatus, wherein the signal (a) is transmitted from the transmission means to the first network. A transmission device constituting the reception device control system according to claim 2,
Data broadcasting receiving means for receiving data broadcasting such as terrestrial digital broadcasting;
Program information generating means for generating program information necessary for receiving the data received by the data broadcast receiving means or video / audio data of a broadcast program by the receiving device;
First communication means for communicating with the receiving device or the like via the first network;
A second communication means for communicating via a second network;
Command processing means for processing a command to the specific receiving device received by the second communication means via the second network;
A data broadcast editing means for describing a signal processed by the command processing means in data in the format of the data broadcast, and multiplexing the described data on the data broadcast data received by the data broadcast receiving means;
Transmitting means for transmitting at least the signal received by the data broadcast receiving means and the program information signal generated by the program information generating means to the first network;
Each time the command signal for the specific receiving device is received in the second communication means, the data broadcast editing means, each of the information indicating the specific receiving device processed by the command processing means, and each A command to the specific receiving device is described in the data of the data broadcasting format, and the described data is repeatedly multiplexed with the data broadcasting data received by the data broadcasting receiving means, and the multiplexed signal is A transmission apparatus that transmits from the transmission means to the first network. A reception device constituting the reception control system according to claim 1 or 2,
Receiving means for receiving a data broadcast format signal transmitted from the transmitting device via the first network;
Analyzing means for analyzing the signal received by the receiving means;
Comprising communication means for communicating via the first network;
As a result of the analysis by the analyzing means, when it is confirmed that the signal received by the receiving means has specific contents for its own receiving device, the communication device sets the first of the transmitting device via the first network. A receiving apparatus that transmits a reception end signal to one communication means. The receiving apparatus includes a plurality of sets of receiving means and analyzing means, and at least one set of the receiving means and the analyzing means receives and analyzes a specific channel at the time of activation, or repeatedly receives a specific channel at the time of activation. The receiving apparatus control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the receiving apparatus control system is analyzed. A plurality of sets of receiving means and analyzing means are provided, and at least one set of the receiving means and the analyzing means receives and analyzes a specific channel at startup, or repeatedly receives and analyzes a specific channel at startup The receiving apparatus according to claim 5. A function in which the receiving device makes an inquiry about the presence or absence of data related to a command addressed to itself to the transmitting device at the time of activation by communication performed via the first network or periodically at a predetermined time period; A function of receiving data related to an instruction addressed to the self transmitted from the transmission device in response to an inquiry;
In response to an inquiry about the presence / absence of data related to the instruction addressed to itself from the receiving apparatus by communication performed via the first network, the transmission apparatus transmits data related to the instruction when there is data corresponding to the inquiry. The receiving apparatus control system according to claim 1, further comprising a function of transmitting to the receiving apparatus via the first network. In response to an inquiry about the presence / absence of data related to an instruction addressed to itself from the receiving device through communication performed via the first network, if there is data related to an inquiry related to the instruction addressed to itself, the data related to the instruction addressed to itself is 5. The transmitting apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a function of transmitting to the receiving apparatus via the first network. In response to an inquiry about the presence / absence of the data, and a function for inquiring the transmission device about the presence / absence of data relating to the instruction addressed to the transmission device at the time of startup by communication performed through the first network or periodically at a predetermined time period The receiving apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a function of receiving data related to the instruction addressed to the terminal device transmitted from the transmitting apparatus via the first network.

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