JP3303538B2 - Terminal device, receiving method, and broadcast system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a terminal device, a receiving method,
The present invention relates to a terminal device, a receiving method, and a broadcasting system suitable for use in , for example, a CATV system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, a television program broadcasting system provided in Japan provides a television program to each home from a broadcasting station via radio waves or a cable. The television program to be provided is originally prepared by a broadcasting station in advance, and a viewer (recipient) selects and receives a predetermined program from among the programs being broadcast.

[0003]

Heretofore, programs provided in this manner have been mostly produced with the intention of the broadcasting station. The broadcasting station analyzes a viewer's preference from, for example, a questionnaire or a rating of an actually broadcast program, and produces a new television program.

[0004] However, especially in the case of pay broadcasting, if a program desired by the viewer is not broadcast, the viewer (recipient) is
And it becomes difficult to continue broadcasting itself. Therefore, the broadcasted program must reflect the average wishes of many viewers, and individual broadcasters cannot produce programs that meet the diverse preferences of individual viewers. There is a problem that is almost impossible from the viewpoint of time, cost, and labor.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and aims to provide a variety of programs quickly and at low cost.

[0006] The terminal device of the present invention is a source of a broadcast signal.
A designation unit for designating a classification code to be added to the source data, and a classification code designated by the designation unit is added.
Upload means for uploading the source data to the center, descrambling means for decrypting or descrambling the encrypted or scrambled broadcast signal, and decryption or descrambling processing are started by the descrambling means. And a viewing time counting means for counting a viewing time from when a command to end viewing or a command to switch channels is issued.

[0007] The specifying means uploads to the center .
A flag that is added to the source data to be transmitted and that specifies whether to encrypt or scramble the broadcast signal can also be specified.

[0008] In the receiving method of the present invention, a broadcast signal is generated.
A uploading a designation step of designating a classification code to be added to the source data, the source data specified classification code is added in the process of designating step to the center
And uploading step, the broadcast signal is encrypted or scrambled, the descrambling step of decoding or descrambling, by treatment of the descrambling step, since the process of decoding or descrambling is started, a command to end the viewing Alternatively, there is provided a viewing time counting step of counting a viewing time until a command to switch a channel is issued.

In the broadcasting system according to the present invention, the terminal device transmits
Designation means for designating a classification code to be added to the source data which is the source of the transmission number; upload means for uploading the source data with the classification code designated by the designation means to the center; A descrambling means for decoding or descrambling the scrambled broadcast signal, and a command for terminating the viewing or a command for switching the channel from when the decoding or descrambling process is started by the descrambling means. A viewing time counting means for counting the viewing time until, the center , receiving means for receiving the source data transmitted from the terminal device, a recording means for recording the source data received by the receiving means,
Source based on the source data recorded by the recording means.
And a broadcast unit that broadcasts the broadcast signal generated by the generation unit in accordance with the classification code added to the broadcast data.

[0010] The broadcasting means supports different classification codes .
The generated broadcast signal can be broadcast on different channels.

The broadcasting means supports different classification codes .
The generated broadcast signal can be broadcast in different time zones or as different programs.

[0012]

According to the present invention, the source data to which the classification code is added is uploaded from the terminal device to the center and is recorded at the center. The center uses this source data
, A broadcast signal is generated and broadcasted in accordance with the added classification code . Also, the viewing time from when decoding or descrambling processing is started in the terminal device to when a command to end viewing or a command to switch channels is issued is counted. Therefore, source data collected from the terminal device 2 possessed by each viewer is converted into a program according to the preference (classification code) of each viewer,
This can be broadcast.

[0013]

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration example of a broadcasting system according to the present invention. In this embodiment, a center device 1 as a broadcasting station is connected to a terminal device 2-i located in each home.
(Hereinafter simply referred to as a terminal device 2 as appropriate) and a cable 3 such as an optical fiber or a coaxial cable. Therefore, broadcast signals of many channels are transmitted from the center device 1 via the cable 3 to the terminal devices 2 of each home.
In addition, a predetermined signal can be transmitted from each terminal device 2 to the center device 1 as well. That is, bidirectional communication is enabled.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the center device 1. The CPU 11 executes various processes in accordance with programs stored in the ROM 12, and the RAM 13 stores data necessary in the course of the process as appropriate.

A program produced on the broadcast station side is recorded, for example, by a VTR 16, and a video signal reproduced from the VTR 16 is supplied from an input terminal 17 to an A / D converter 1.
8, and after A / D conversion, interface 1
4 to be recorded on the magneto-optical disk 15. Also, an audio signal that is appropriately added is collected by the microphone 19, supplied to the A / D converter 21 from the input terminal 20, A / D converted, and recorded on the magneto-optical disk 15 via the interface 14. It has been made to be. That is, the magneto-optical disk 15 is configured to record all data of a program to be broadcast.

The operation unit 22 is operated when various commands are input to the CPU 11. The scramble circuit 23 scrambles the broadcast data reproduced from the magneto-optical disk 15.

The interface 14 has a CRT 2
5 and a speaker 27 are connected, and a video signal and an audio signal supplied via the interface 14 are supplied via D / A converters 24 and 26, respectively. Thus, the video signal or the audio signal supplied from the VTR 16, the microphone 19 or the magneto-optical disk 15 can be monitored.

The communication circuit 28 is connected to the center device 1.
Is connected to a cable 3 or a telephone line. The modulation / demodulation circuit 29 modulates or demodulates a signal transmitted / received to / from the cable 3.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the terminal device 2. The CPU 41 executes various processes according to a program stored in the ROM 42 and stores necessary data in the RA.
M43 is appropriately stored. The terminal device 2 is provided with input terminals 47 and 50 so that a video signal or an audio signal can be input from the VTR 46 or the microphone 49, for example.
These video and audio signals are A / D converted by A / D converters 48 and 51, respectively, and are recorded on the magneto-optical disk 45 via the interface 44.

The operation unit 52 is operated when inputting various commands. The descrambling circuit 53 descrambles the scrambled and transmitted broadcast data.

A CRT 55 and a speaker 57 are connected to the interface 44 via D / A converters 54 and 56, respectively, so that a video signal or an audio signal is output. The communication circuit 58 executes communication processing for the cable 3 or the telephone line. The modulation / demodulation circuit 59 modulates or demodulates a transmission signal transmitted / received to / from the cable 3.

When a center program 1 as a broadcasting station records its own program on the VTR 16, the center apparatus 1 A / D converts a video signal reproduced from the VTR 16 by an A / D converter 18, and outputs a magneto-optical signal via an interface 14. The information is recorded on the disk 15. Also, if necessary, an audio signal to be appropriately added is also taken in from the microphone 19, A / D converted by the A / D converter 21, and then recorded on the magneto-optical disk 15 via the interface 14. Thus, the program prepared by the center device 1 is recorded on the magneto-optical disk 15.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, an image recorded in each home can be transmitted to the center device 1 from the terminal device 2 arranged in each home.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing in this case. First, in step S1, a process of capturing an image to be transmitted to the center device 1 is executed. That is, on the side of the terminal device 2, the user of each terminal device 2 uses the VTR 46 and the microphone 49 to report on their own. The subject of the coverage is arbitrary, and for example, it is possible to cover athletic meet held in a nearby school and other events, and to cover an unusual case that has occurred in the neighborhood. And
A / D converters 48 and 51 convert the collected video and audio signals into analog signals, and the signals are temporarily recorded on the magneto-optical disk 45 via the interface 44.

Next, proceeding to step S2, the terminal user
By operating a predetermined key of the operation unit 52, a classification code corresponding to the information currently recorded on the magneto-optical disk 45 is added. As the classification code, for example, the center device 1 selects a predetermined code from those prepared in advance. This classification code is also recorded on the magneto-optical disk 45.

Next, the process proceeds to step S3, where the ID assigned to the terminal device 2 or the ID assigned to each terminal user is input by operating the operation unit 52. This ID is for specifying the person who provided the information. This ID is also recorded on the magneto-optical disk 45.

Next, proceeding to step S4, if necessary,
Add a scramble flag. That is, each user provides information from the terminal device 2 to the center device 1. When broadcasting this information from the center device 1 to each terminal device 2, the user wants to scramble and broadcast. In, the user adds a scramble flag. The scramble flag input by operating the operation unit 52 is also recorded on the magneto-optical disk 45.

Next, proceeding to step S5, a title of the information to be provided is added. This title is also input by operating a predetermined key of the operation unit 52, and is recorded on the magneto-optical disk 45.

As described above, when all the information to be transmitted is recorded on the magneto-optical disk 45, the process proceeds to step S
Then, the information is transmitted to the center device 1. That is,
When the user operates the operation unit 52 to instruct transmission, the CP
U41 reads the transmission data recorded on the magneto-optical disk 45, supplies the data to the modulation / demodulation circuit 59, and modulates the data according to a predetermined method. Then, the modulated signal is transmitted to the cable 3 via the communication circuit 58.

On the other hand, the center device 1 executes the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S21, the terminal device 2 receives the information transmitted via the cable 3, and records the information in step S22. That is, the CPU 11 of the center device 1
8, when the transmission data transmitted via the cable 3 is received, this is supplied to the modulation / demodulation circuit 29,
The signal is demodulated and recorded on the magneto-optical disk 15.

Then, the process proceeds to a step S23, wherein the ID is read from the recorded data. This ID is added in step S3 in FIG. In step S24, it is determined whether the read ID is already registered in the magneto-optical disk 15 (or the RAM 13). That is, in this broadcasting system, information provided by each terminal user is basically broadcast as it is. Therefore, there is a possibility that each information provider may transmit information that is not suitable for broadcasting. For this reason, a reliable user registers the ID in the center device 1 in advance.

If the read ID is an unregistered ID, it is not yet known whether the information provider is reliable. Therefore, in this case, the process proceeds to step S25, in which the recorded video signal is reproduced from the magneto-optical disk 15, and the reproduced signal is transmitted to the D / A converter 24.
Output to the CRT 25 and the speaker 27 via
Monitor its contents.

Then, in step S26, as a result of monitoring, it is determined whether or not the content is suitable for broadcasting. If the transmission image is not suitable for broadcasting, the process proceeds to step S27, and the transmission image is deleted.

On the other hand, in step S24, when the read ID is a pre-registered ID and it is estimated that the received image can be broadcast, and in step S26, the result of the monitor indicates that the content is If it is determined that broadcasting is possible, the process proceeds to step S28, and the classification code is read. This classification code is added by the information provider (terminal user) in step S2 in FIG.

After reading the classification code from the signal reproduced from the magneto-optical disk 15, the CPU 11 executes Step S.
In step 29, the received video signal is converted into a database for each group corresponding to the read classification code and recorded on the magneto-optical disk 15 in accordance with the read classification code.
At this time, the title added to the video information is also recorded in a dedicated group (title group). This title is added by the information provider in step S5 in FIG.

Next, the process proceeds to step S30, where the CPU 11
Generates broadcast signals for each channel so that video signals of different groups are on different channels. At this time, a program ID is added to each program. The process further proceeds to step S31, where the broadcast signal of each channel generated in step S30 is broadcast.

That is, the CPU 11
The video signal of each classification code (each group) recorded in the first group is read, and the modulation / demodulation circuit 29 modulates the video signal of the first group (first classification code) as a signal of the first channel. Further, the video signal of the second group (the second classification code) is modulated as a signal of the second channel. Then, the signal of each channel is transmitted to the cable 3 via the communication circuit 28.

When generating a broadcast signal in step S30, the CPU 11 detects a scramble flag included in the recorded data, and scrambles the broadcast signal according to the scramble flag. That is, when the information provider has set the scramble flag in step S4 of FIG. 4, the CPU 11 supplies the broadcast data read from the magneto-optical disk 15 to the scramble circuit 23 to scramble the broadcast data. On the other hand, if the scramble flag is not set, scrambling is not performed.

FIG. 6 schematically shows a broadcast signal of each channel. In this embodiment, channel 1 (C
In H1), it is broadcast program A ₁ unscrambled from 7:00 to 8:00, from 8:00 to 9:00, more from 9:00 to 10, the program B ₁ or C ₁ scrambled each broadcast Is done.

In channel 2 (CH2), programs A ₂ , B ₂ , C ₂ , which are not all scrambled,
Will be broadcast.

As described above, when the broadcasting is performed from the broadcasting center 1 via the cable 3, the terminal device 2 of each home executes the processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 and 8, for example. Watch the program. First, step S51
In, a reception channel selection process is executed. That is, each terminal user operates the operation unit 52 and inputs a predetermined command to select a desired channel. CPU4
1 controls the modulation / demodulation circuit 59 in response to the command to demodulate a broadcast signal of a desired channel. The demodulated signal is supplied to the CRT 55 and the speaker 57 via the D / A converters 54 and 56, respectively.

Then, the process proceeds to a step S52 to determine whether or not the selected channel is a title channel. If the selected channel is a title channel (a channel of a title group), the process proceeds to a step S53 and the CRT 5
Each user selects a desired image group (channel) by looking at the title of each group displayed in 5.

FIG. 9 shows a display example of a title channel displayed on the CRT 55. FIG. 6A shows a display example of channel 1 and FIG. 6B shows a display example of channel 2. As shown in the figure, when this title channel is selected, the broadcast time and the title of the program (A ₁ , B ₁ , C ₁ ,..., A ₂ ,
B ₂ , C ₂ ,...) Are displayed. This title is added by the information provider in step S5 in FIG. In order to show such a title to the viewer, a title group was generated in step S29 of FIG.

As described above, for example, for channel 1, only programs of the corresponding group (classification code) are classified (for example, only sports programs are classified). In the channel 2, only programs of a group (classification code) corresponding to the channel 2 are classified (for example, only news programs are classified).

The viewer sees the title of the title channel, knows the outline of the broadcast contents of each channel, and operates the operation unit 52 to select a desired channel. Then, the process proceeds to a step S54 to watch the selected channel.

Of course, if the channel selected in step S51 is not a title channel, the image of that channel is viewed as it is.

That is, the channel selected by the modulation / demodulation circuit 59 is demodulated and output to the CRT 55 and the speaker 57.

Next, the process proceeds to step S55, where it is determined whether or not the broadcast signal is scrambled. If the broadcast signal is not scrambled, each viewer can view the broadcast signal as it is. By operating 52, it is determined whether or not the end of viewing has been input. If not, step S5
Proceeding to 7, it is determined whether or not the channel has been switched. If the channel has not been switched, the process returns to step S56.

When it is determined in step S56 that the end of viewing has been input, the viewing process is terminated, and step S5 is performed.
When it is determined in step 7 that the channel has been switched, the process returns to step S51, and the subsequent processing is repeatedly executed.

On the other hand, if the broadcast signal is scrambled, the process proceeds to step S58, and the viewer operates the operation unit 52 as necessary, and the center device 1
Ask for descrambling. If the descrambling is not requested, the process returns to step S51, and the subsequent processing is repeatedly executed.

When the descramble request is made by operating the operation unit 52, the CPU 41 of the terminal device 2 sends a descramble request signal to the center device 1 via the communication circuit 58.
Output to When receiving the descramble request signal via the communication circuit 28, the CPU 11 of the center device 1 transmits key data necessary for descrambling to the terminal device 2 that has output the descramble request signal.

The terminal device 2 transmits the key data for descrambling transmitted from the center device 1 to the communication circuit 58.
And supplies it to the descramble circuit 53. Therefore, in step S59, the CPU 41 supplies the signal demodulated by the modulation / demodulation circuit 59 to the descrambling circuit 53 and descrambles the signal. Then, the descrambled signal is output to the CRT 55 and the speaker 57 via the D / A converters 54 and 56.

In this manner, the terminal user can view the descrambled program.

Then, the process proceeds to a step S60, wherein the viewing time of the descrambling program is counted. This counting operation is repeatedly executed until it is determined in step S61 that the viewing end has been instructed, or in step S62, it is determined that the channel switching has been performed. If it is determined in step S61 that the operation unit 52 has been operated and the user has instructed the end of viewing, the process proceeds to step S64, in which the CPU 41 stores the viewing time up to that time and the program ID on the magneto-optical disk 45. Recording is performed, and the process is terminated.

On the other hand, in step S62,
When it is determined that channel switching has been instructed by operating the operation unit 52, the process proceeds to step S63, and C
The PU 41 records the viewing time up to that time and the program ID on the magneto-optical disk 45. Then, after the recording is completed, the process returns to step S51, and the subsequent processes are repeatedly executed.

As described above, the state of the viewing performed by the terminal device 2 is grasped by the center device 1 by executing the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10 at the end of the month, for example. That is, first, in step S71, the CPU 11 of the center device 1 accesses the terminal device 2 via the cable 3. Next, the process proceeds to a step S72 to execute a process of reading the program ID and the viewing time recorded on the magneto-optical disk 45 of the terminal device 2. That is, the CPU 11 of the center device 1 is
A request is made to read the program ID and viewing time of the descrambled program recorded on the magneto-optical disk 45. CPU
When this request is received, 41 reads the program ID and the viewing time recorded therefrom from the magneto-optical disk 45 and outputs the read result to the center device 1 via the communication circuit 58.

The CPU 11 of the center device 1 records the read program ID and viewing time on the magneto-optical disk 15. Then, the process proceeds to a step S73, wherein a viewing fee corresponding to the read program ID and the viewing time is calculated, and a bill corresponding thereto is issued to the owner of the terminal device 2.
The user of each terminal device 2 pays a usage fee based on the bill.

In step S74, a remittance process is performed for the information provider. That is, the user who provided the scrambled and broadcast image is paid for providing the information. The price is determined according to the time when the information provider requests scrambling, and the user of another terminal device 2 requests the descrambling to be released, and watches the program.

In the above description, different groups of data are broadcasted on different channels. However, the data may be broadcasted in different time zones or as different programs for each group. Also, instead of scrambling / descrambling, encryption / decryption processing can be performed. Further, the data to be broadcast can be audio data, text data, programs, and the like, in addition to video data.

The case where the present invention is applied to a CATV system has been described as an example, but the present invention is also applicable to a broadcasting system using radio waves. In this case, communication other than broadcast radio waves between the center device 1 and the terminal device 2 can be performed using, for example, a telephone line.

[0061]

As described above, according to the present invention, the terminal device
Based on the source data with the classification code added in
A broadcast signal corresponding to the classification code in the
Broadcasting is performed, and the viewing time from when decoding or descrambling processing is started in the terminal device to when a command to end viewing or a command to switch channels is counted is counted. Can be provided easily and quickly at low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a broadcast system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a center device 1 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a terminal device 2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process of image collection performed in a terminal device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a broadcast process performed in the center device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the content of each channel broadcast from a center device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a viewing process in a terminal device.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart following FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a title channel.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a bill issuing process performed in the center device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 center device 2 terminal device 3 cable 11 CPU 12 ROM 13 RAM 15 magneto-optical disk 16 VTR 19 microphone 22 operation unit 23 scramble circuit 25 CRT 27 speaker 28 communication circuit 29 modulation / demodulation circuit 41 CPU 42 ROM 43 RAM 45 magneto-optical disk 46 VTR 49 Microphone 52 Operation unit 53 Descramble circuit 55 CRT 57 Speaker 59 Modulation demodulation circuit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 7/10 H04N ^7/ 14-7/173 H04N ^7/ 20-7/22

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A terminal device for receiving a broadcast signal from a center that broadcasts a broadcast signal, a designation unit for designating a classification code to be added to source data that is a source of the broadcast signal, Upload the source data with the classification code added to the center
Upload means, and the broadcast signal, which is encrypted or scrambled,
Descrambling means for decoding or descrambling, and counting the viewing time from when decoding or descrambling processing is started by the descrambling means until a command to end viewing or a command to switch channels is issued. A terminal device comprising a viewing time counting means. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the specifying unit uploads the data to the center.
A flag added to the source data to be loaded,
The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein a flag for designating whether to encrypt or scramble the broadcast signal is also designated. 3. A receiving method of a terminal apparatus for receiving a broadcast signal from the center to broadcast the broadcast signal, and a designation step of designating a classification code to be added to the source data which is the source of the broadcast signal, the designation step Upload the source data with the classification code specified in the process to the center
And uploading step of de, the broadcast signal is encrypted or scrambled,
The descrambling step of decoding or descrambling, and the processing of the descrambling step, from the time when the decoding or descrambling processing is started, to the viewing time until an instruction to end viewing or an instruction to switch channels is issued. A receiving time counting step of counting. 4. A broadcast system comprising a center for broadcasting a broadcast signal, and a terminal device for receiving a broadcast signal broadcast from the center, wherein the terminal device adds the source signal to the source data of the broadcast signal. Specifying means for specifying a classification code; and uploading the source data added with the classification code specified by the specifying means to the center.
Upload means, and the broadcast signal, which is encrypted or scrambled,
Descrambling means for decoding or descrambling, and counting the viewing time from when decoding or descrambling processing is started by the descrambling means until a command to end viewing or a command to switch channels is issued. A viewing time counting unit, the center comprising: a receiving unit that receives the source data transmitted from the terminal device; a recording unit that records the source data received by the receiving unit; Based on the source data recorded by
A generation unit that generates the broadcast signal in accordance with the classification code added to the source data; and a broadcast unit that broadcasts the broadcast signal generated by the generation unit. Broadcasting system. 5. The broadcasting means according to claim 5, wherein said classification code is different.
The broadcast system according to claim 4, wherein the broadcast signal generated corresponding to (b) is broadcast on different channels. 6. The broadcasting means, wherein the different classification codes
The broadcast system according to claim 4, wherein the broadcast signal generated corresponding to ( b) is broadcast in a different time zone or as a different program.