JPH06120916A - Catv system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily select a user channel by providing a CATV terminal equipment composed of a display control section and a display section on a subscriber connecting to a coaxial network and displaying a channel attribute onto the display section. CONSTITUTION:A head end 1 is connected to the coaxial network 3, a subscriber 10 is connected to the network 3 to form the CATV system. When a channel is selected, a display control section 11B checks whether or not the channel is the service channel and in the case of the service, whether or not the channel is a forced channel is checked and in the case of the forced channel, F is displayed on the display section 11A. Then the function is set by the check of the control section 11B and in the case of the program channel, FP is displayed and in the case of pair rental lock, PL is displayed. Furthermore, when the function is not set, the channel attribute is checked and in the case of payment, P is displayed and CH is displayed in the case of no charge. Thus, the user easily recognizes the channel attribute.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a CATV (cable television) system, and more particularly to a CATV system obtained by improving a CATV terminal installed in a subscriber.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a conventional configuration example of a CATV system. In the figure, 1 is a head end that functions as a management center of the CATV system, and 2 is a control computer that controls the head end 1.
The head end 1 is connected to the coaxial network 3 via a coaxial cable. Reference numeral 4 is a tap-off branching from the coaxial cable. From the tap-off 4, the subscriber 10 is drawn in via the protector 5.

In the subscriber 10, 11 is a CATV terminal for selecting and outputting a video signal of a specific channel from a plurality of channels sent through the coaxial network 3, and displaying a selected channel, and 12 is a CATV terminal. A television (hereinafter simply referred to as a television) that receives the output of the CATV terminal 11.

In the CATV system thus constructed, channel attributes (free channels, pay channels, unopened channels, etc.) are managed by the headend (management center) 1, and the information is transmitted via the coaxial network 3. CA
By transmitting to the TV terminal 11, the CATV terminal 11
Allows only the subscribed channels.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the head end 1. In the figure, 21 is an antenna for receiving a television signal, 22 is a scrambler for modulating a video signal of a specific channel, and 23 is a TV modulator for receiving and modulating a television signal from the antenna 21. In particular, for a pay channel, the TV signal is modulated by the scrambler 22 so that it cannot be viewed further.

Reference numeral 24 is an FS for modulating a command transmitted from the control computer 2 to the CATV terminal 11 of each subscriber.
It is a K modulator. Reference numeral 25 is a mixer for mixing the video signals (television signals) of a plurality of channels from the antenna 21 and the output of the FSK modulator 24, and 26 is a high output amplifier for sending the output of the mixer 25 to the coaxial network 3. .

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the CATV terminal 11. In the figure, 30 is a distributor that receives and distributes a signal from the coaxial network, and 31 is an RF modem that demodulates the modulated command from the control computer 2 and detects it as a command. Reference numeral 32 is a CPU that controls the overall operation, 33 is a TV tuner that receives a signal from the distributor 20 and selects a specific channel, and 34 is a synchronization signal that detects a synchronization signal from an audio signal sent from the coaxial network. It is a detection unit.

Reference numeral 35 is a descrambler for demodulating a video signal for a pay channel from a modulated state to a normal video signal. The descrambler 35 receives a command from the CPU 32 as to whether to demodulate (descramble).
The output 36 of the descrambler 35 is a UHF for a television.
It is a frequency converter that frequency-converts a signal.

Reference numeral 37 denotes a command input button, which is a CPU
Enter 32. Reference numeral 38 is a remote control receiver that receives a wireless control signal (for example, a channel select signal) from the remote controller 39, and reference numeral 40 is a display unit that indicates the reception state of the CATV terminal. As the element of the display section 40, for example, a 7-segment LED light emitting element is used.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing another conventional configuration example of the CATV system. The same thing as in FIG.
The same reference numerals are given. The system shown is CAT
Data transfer from the V terminal 11 to the head end 1 is performed using a telephone line. In the figure,
Reference numeral 41 denotes a telephone installed in the subscriber 10 and connected to the CATV terminal 11.

Communication information from the telephone set 41 enters the data receiving device 6 provided in the headend 1 through the security device 5 and the telephone network 42. The head end 1 recognizes the information notified from the data receiving device 6 and performs a predetermined control.

In the conventional CATV system described above, C
ATV terminal 11 has a parental lock for each channel (which cannot be viewed without knowing the personal identification number), a program channel (registers only frequently viewed channels, and simplifies the operation). Some are equipped with functions. Further, some have a function of forcibly switching from the headend 1 to a specific channel in an emergency.

[0013]

Problem to be Solved by the Invention CATV terminal 11
Then, you can select the channel you want to watch using the buttons on the main unit or the remote control. However, since the procedure for viewing differs depending on the channel attributes and function settings, in order to know the channel attributes and the like, it is necessary to perform an operation such as displaying on the television screen on-screen. When the channel is forcibly switched from the headend 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as the center), the subscriber
There is also the problem of not knowing why the switch has occurred. As described with reference to FIG. 15, in a CATV system that uses a telephone line for an upstream line, since the telephone line is connected to the CATV terminal 11 placed near the television 12, there is a problem that indoor wiring is required. Even on a pay channel, it may be made available to non-subscribers for a part of the time in order to solicit subscribers. In this case, conventionally, the descramble operation of the CATV terminal 11 is stopped by changing the channel attribute from the center, but this complicates the equipment of the center, and the communication time from the center to the CATV terminal 11 is reduced. There will be a delay until the descrambling is stopped, and a part of the program will be missing.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a CATV system capable of displaying channel attributes on a CATV terminal. Secondly, it is intended to provide a CATV system which can eliminate the need for indoor wiring even when notifying the center of upstream information using a telephone line, and thirdly, the setting / cancellation of scramble is performed by CATV.
The purpose is to provide a CATV system that can be performed on the terminal side.

[0015]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the principle of the first invention, FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the principle of the second invention, and FIG.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the principle of the third invention. 12 and 15
The same parts as those shown in FIG.

The system shown in FIG. 1 constitutes a CATV system in which a head end 1 is connected to a coaxial network 3 and a subscriber 10 is connected to the coaxial network 3. In the figure, 11 is a CATV terminal provided in the subscriber 10. In the CATV terminal 11, 11
A is a display control unit for displaying the attribute information of the selected channel, and 11B is a display control unit for decoding the information sent from the headend 1 and controlling the display of the display unit 11A.

The system shown in FIG. 4 constitutes a CATV system in which the head end 1 is connected to the coaxial network 3 and the subscriber 10 is connected to the coaxial network 3. In the figure, 11 is a CATV terminal provided in the subscriber 10, 50 is a home telephone master unit for wireless communication which is also provided in the subscriber 10, and 51 is a home telephone slave unit. 52 is in the CATV terminal 11,
It is a slave unit functional unit having a function as a slave unit that enables wireless communication with the provided home telephone master unit 50.

The system shown in FIG. 8 constitutes a CATV system in which the head end 1 is connected to the coaxial network 3 and the subscriber 10 is connected to the coaxial network 3. Reference numeral 11 is a CATV terminal provided in the subscriber 10. Reference numeral 60 denotes a scramble control unit provided in the CATV terminal 11 for detecting the on / off of the scramble and controlling the operation and non-operation of the descramble.

[0019]

(First Invention) The display control unit 11B is a
The display unit of the terminal 11 is used to display the channel attributes. For example, if a 7-segment LED is used as the display unit 11A (corresponding to 40 in FIG. 14), channel attribute display is performed in a form that can be displayed by this LED. The appearance of the CATV terminal 11 is as shown in FIG. That is, it is composed of the channel number display section 12b and the channel display section 11c. The channel attributes are displayed by making good use of this channel display unit 11c. In the figure, 11a is a function display lamp, and 11d is a power-on switch. In this way, according to the first aspect, the channel attribute can be displayed on the CATV terminal side. (Second invention) A telephone installed in the subscriber 10 is a home telephone master unit 50 that operates wirelessly. The CATV terminal 11 is provided with a slave unit functional unit 52 having a function of a home telephone slave unit. As a result, even when the center is notified of upstream information from the CATV terminal 11 using the telephone line, there is no need to pull the telephone line into the house. (Third invention) The scramble control unit 60 is provided in the CATV terminal 11. As a result, the scrambled pay video signal can be set / released on the CATV terminal 11 side, and the load on the center side is reduced.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first invention. FIG. 1 is used as a block diagram of the system. First, a channel is selected (S1). The display control unit 11B checks whether the channel is a service channel (S2). If it is not the service channel, the channel is not changed (S3).

If it is a service channel,
Next, it is checked whether the channel is a compulsory channel (a channel compulsorily set by the center) (S
4). If so, "F" is displayed on the display unit 11A (S5). Next, the display control unit 11B checks whether or not the function is set (S6).

When the function is set, it is a parental lock or a program channel. In the case of the program channel, "FP" is displayed on the display unit 11A (S6). In the case of parental lock, "PL" is displayed on the display unit 11A (S7).

In step S6, if the function is not set, it is checked what the channel attribute is (S8), and if it is a pay channel, the display unit 11
A is displayed as "P" (S9), and in the case of a free channel, it is displayed as "CH" (S10). In the above description,
The case where a 7-segment LED is used as the display element of the display unit 11A is taken as an example. Therefore, the types of alphabets that can be displayed are also limited. The present invention is not limited to the 7-segment element, and a display element composed of many elements can be used. In that case, the information that can be displayed can be displayed in a state close to the actual state. On the other hand, the user can easily know the attribute of the channel by looking at this display.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a CATV terminal of the second invention. The same parts as those in FIG. 14 are designated by the same reference numerals. In the figure, 45 is the TV of FIG.
A TV tuner / descrambler including a tuner 33 and a descrambler 35. A cordless telephone communication unit 52 wirelessly communicates with the home telephone master unit 50 through the antenna 56, and is the same as the slave unit functional unit 52 in FIG.

In the circuit thus constructed, CA
It is assumed that a command in the center is sent from the TV terminal 11. This command is notified from the CPU 32 to the cordless telephone communication unit 52, and the home telephone master unit 50 is transmitted from the cordless telephone communication unit 52 via the antenna 46.
(See FIG. 4), and the home telephone base unit 50 sends it to the center via the telephone network 42. According to the present invention, the home telephone base unit 50 and the CATV are installed in the subscriber 10.
Since wireless communication is performed with the cordless telephone communication unit 52 in the terminal 11, it is not necessary to wire the telephone line at home.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the second aspect of the present invention, showing the communication between the cordless telephone communication unit 52, the home telephone master unit 50 and the data receiving device 6. First, the cordless telephone communication unit 52 inquires the home telephone base unit 50 about the line state. In response to this inquiry, the home telephone base unit 50 returns a line status response. Upon receiving this line response, the cordless telephone communication unit 52 issues a line capture instruction to the home telephone base unit 50.

The home telephone base unit 50, on the other hand, dials the data receiving device 6 by using the telephone line to make a call. Upon receiving this call, the data receiving device 6 captures the line and returns an incoming call response to the cordless telephone communication unit 52 via the home telephone master unit 50.

Upon receiving the incoming call response, the cordless telephone communication unit 52 transmits data via the telephone line via the home telephone master unit 40. The data receiving device 6 that has received the data transmission returns a positive response. This acknowledgment is
The cordless telephone communication unit 52 is notified via the home telephone master unit 50. Cordless telephone communication unit 52
Issues a line open instruction to home telephone base unit 50. As a result, the line between the home telephone base unit 50 and the data receiving device 6 is released.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing the operation at the time of the reservation operation of the second invention. If you use a telephone line, you can reserve channels using a touch-tone telephone. The sequence will be described below. When the reservation code is dialed from the touch-tone telephone, the reservation code is notified to the home telephone base unit 50. Home telephone base unit 50
Notifies the cordless telephone communication unit 52 of the reservation code.

When the cordless telephone communication unit 52 receives this reservation code, it returns the reservation acceptance code to the home telephone master unit 50. Home telephone base unit 50 returns this reservation acceptance code to the touch-tone phone as a reservation acceptance tone. When the touch-tone phone receives this reservation acceptance tone,
The line is opened to the home telephone master unit 50. On the other hand, the cordless telephone communication unit 52 issues a line open instruction to the home telephone base unit 50 after a predetermined time has passed, and the home telephone base unit 50 also opens the line.

FIG. 9 shows a scramble controller 6 of the third invention.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of operations of 0. This scramble controller 60
Is a concept including the descrambler 35, the CPU 32, and the synchronization signal detection unit 34 of FIG. In the figure, (a)
Is a video signal. A normal video signal includes a sync signal P as shown in the figure. In the case of a pay channel, since it is not shown to the viewer for free, the sync signal P is sent to the coaxial network 3 in a removed form. The process of removing this synchronization signal is performed by the scrambler 2 in the head end (center) 1.
2 (see FIG. 13). Therefore, normal CAT
The V terminal 11 cannot see a video signal out of synchronization. In other words, the image is distorted and flows on the screen of the TV 12. It cannot be recognized as a correct image.

In the center, in the case of the synchronous compression operation, for the descrambling operation, the synchronous signal of the video signal is AM-modulated and superposed on the audio signal as shown in (b) (P in the figure). Therefore, the CATV terminal 11 detects this audio signal by the sync signal detection unit 34 (see FIG. 14), and if the sync signal can be detected, it is regarded as a pay channel and the descrambling operation is performed, and if the sync signal cannot be detected, it is regarded as a free channel. Do not operate the descrambler.

The descrambling operation is to superimpose the synchronization signal on the video signal with the synchronization signal detected from the audio signal and synchronize them so that the television 12 can see a correct video. This descramble operation is performed by the scramble control unit 60 in FIG. 8 (a portion corresponding to the descrambler 35 in FIG. 14). It should be noted that this descrambling operation is not always performed in the case of a subscriber who subscribes only to the free channel.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the operation of the third invention. This flowchart is for the CATV terminal 1
If the synchronization signal cannot be detected by the scramble control unit 60 of No. 1, the descrambler is not operated by considering it as a free channel, and if the synchronization signal can be detected, it is regarded as a pay channel and the descrambler is operated by operation. .

First, a channel is selected (S1). Next, it is checked whether the channel is a service channel (S2). If it is not a service channel,
The channel is not changed (S3). In the case of a service channel, the channel is changed and the tuner is activated (S
4).

Next, the sync signal detector 34 checks whether or not the sync signal is superimposed on the audio signal (S).
5). If the sync signal is not superimposed, it is regarded as a free channel and the descramble operation is not performed (S
6). If the synchronization signal is superimposed, it is regarded as a pay channel and the descramble operation is performed (S7). Then, the video signal and the audio signal are output to the television 12 (S
8).

Next, the scramble control unit 60 checks whether there is a change in the superimposition of the sync signal of the voice sync signal (S9), and if there is no change, checks whether there is a channel switch (S9). S10). If there is a switch, the process returns to step S2. If there is no switching, the process returns to step S9.

If there is no change in the superimposition of the sync signal in step S9, it is considered that the free channel has been changed and the descrambling operation is not performed (S6).
If the change is from no change to yes, it is considered that the pay channel has been changed, and it is checked whether the subscriber subscribes to the pay channel service (S1).
1). If the contract is made, the descrambling operation is performed (S7). If no contract is made, the process returns to step S9.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing another operation of the third invention. This operation is performed when watching a channel in which the sync signal is not superimposed on the audio signal, when the superimposition of the sync signal is detected, and when that channel is not subscribed, this channel cannot be viewed, and other channels cannot be seen. The channel is forcibly switched.

In this case as well, up to step S8 is the same as in the case of FIG. That is, first, a channel is selected (S1). Next, it is checked whether the channel is a service channel (S2). If it is not the service channel, the channel is not changed (S3). In the case of the service channel, the channel is changed and the tuner is operated (S4).

Next, the sync signal detector 34 checks whether or not the sync signal is superimposed on the audio signal (S).
5). If the sync signal is not superimposed, it is regarded as a free channel and the descramble operation is not performed (S
6). If the synchronization signal is superimposed, it is regarded as a pay channel and the descramble operation is performed (S7). Then, the video signal and the audio signal are output to the television 12 (S
8).

Next, the scramble control unit 60 checks whether there is a change in superimposition of the sync signal of the voice sync signal (S9), and if there is no change, checks whether there is a channel switch (S9). S10). If there is a switch, the process returns to step S2. If there is no switching, the process returns to step S9.

If there is a change, and if the change changes from the presence of superimposition to the absence of superimposition, it is regarded as a free channel and the descrambling operation is not performed (S6). If the change is from non-overlapping to present, it is regarded as a pay channel and it is checked whether the subscriber subscribes to the pay channel service (S11). If the subscriber is subscribed, the process returns to step S7 to perform the descrambling operation (S
7). If not subscribed, scramble controller 6
0 is switched to a specified specific channel (S1
2) After that, it returns to step S2.

[0044]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to first provide a CATV system capable of displaying channel attributes on a CATV terminal, and secondly. It is possible to provide a CATV system that can eliminate the need for indoor wiring even when notifying the center of upstream information using a telephone line. Thirdly, the scramble can be set / released on the CATV terminal side. A CATV system can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle block diagram of a first invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an external appearance example of a CATV terminal.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first invention.

FIG. 4 is a principle block diagram of a second invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a CATV terminal of the second invention.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the second invention.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an operation during a reservation operation of the second invention.

FIG. 8 is a principle block diagram of a third invention.

FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory diagram of a scramble control unit.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the third invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing another operation of the third invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a conventional configuration example of a CATV system.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a head end.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a CATV terminal.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing another conventional configuration example of a CATV system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 headend 2 control computer 3 coaxial network 4 tap-off 5 protector 10 subscriber 11 CATV terminal 12 television 11A display section 11B display control section

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A CATV system in which a head end (1) is connected to a coaxial network (3) and a subscriber (10) is connected to the coaxial network (3), wherein a CATV terminal is provided in the subscriber (10). (11) is provided, and in the CATV terminal (11), a display unit (11A) for displaying the attribute information of the selected channel and the display unit (11A) for decoding the information sent from the headend (1). 1
A CATV system comprising a display control unit (11B) for performing display control of 1A). 2. The display control unit (11B) decodes the information received from the headend (1) and displays the attribute information of the selected channel on the display unit (11A). The CATV system according to claim 1. 3. The display control unit (11B) decodes the information received from the headend (1), and a parental lock is applied to a channel selected on the display unit (11A).
When the function such as the program channel is set is displayed, the information received from the headend (1) is decoded, and if the channel is forcibly selected from the headend (1), a message to that effect is displayed. The CATV system according to claim 1, wherein the CATV system is configured to display on the display unit (11A). 4. A CATV system in which a headend (1) is connected to a coaxial network (3) and a subscriber (10) is connected to the coaxial network (3), wherein a CATV terminal is provided in the subscriber (10). (11) and a wireless home telephone master unit (40) are provided, and a slave unit functional section (42) having a function as a slave unit that enables wireless communication with the home telephone master unit in the CATV terminal (11). CA characterized by the provision of
TV system. 5. The mobile phone function unit (42) sends a signal to a home telephone master unit (40) to wirelessly connect to a telephone line to transmit upstream data to the headend (1). The CAT according to claim 4,
V system. 6. A program reservation can be made by sending a signal from a home telephone master unit (40) to a slave unit function section (42) of a CATV terminal (11) by using a telephone line from the outside. The CATV system according to claim 4. 7. A CATV system in which a headend (1) is connected to a coaxial network (3) and a subscriber (10) is connected to the coaxial network (3), wherein a CATV terminal is provided in the subscriber (10). A CATV system characterized in that (11) is provided, and in the CATV terminal (11), a scramble control section (50) for detecting ON / OFF of scramble and controlling operation / non-operation of descrambling is provided. 8. A scramble control section (50) automatically switches to a specific channel when a scramble control section (50) detects a sync signal while watching a program in a state where a sync signal is not added to an audio signal. CA according to claim 7.
TV system.