JPH08317078A - Two-way catv system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To obtain the hybrid 2-way CATV system in which deterioration in information collection and processing efficiency of a communication system due to increased number of subscriber terminal equipments is suppressed. CONSTITUTION: A control means 303 processes outgoing data 302 and writes the data to a dial data storage means 312 to provide an output of dial data (and dial data output signal) 313 to a telephone MODEM 308 as incoming data 306. A dial selection means 3115 selects dial data designated among plural center dial data stored in the dial data storage means 312 based on a dial selection means control section 3117 outputted from the control means 303 and provides the selected dial data 3116 to an automatic dialer 310. Then the automatic dialer 310 outputs a selection signal 309 to the telephone MODEM 308 and the telephone modem 308 outputs CATV incoming data to a public line network 21.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication system such as bidirectional CATV.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art CATV (cable television broadcasting facility)
Was initially developed and constructed with the aim of making it possible to enjoy high-quality television broadcasts in the same areas as in so-called urban areas, even in areas where television broadcasts are difficult to view, such as in rural areas. However, along with the increase in the number of private broadcasters, the construction of facilities for the purpose of re-transmission outside the area came to be added.

Since then, CATV has increased as a countermeasure against reception obstacles due to the construction of high-rise buildings and highways in cities, and large-scale facilities of several tens to tens of thousands have appeared in large cities. Furthermore, by utilizing the large-capacity transmission capability of the coaxial cable that composes CATV, more channel type CATV that retransmits television broadcasts and provides independently produced programs.
Is also increasing.

[0004] In recent years, due to such large capacity and bidirectionality due to being wired, a new medium attracts attention from various fields, and an enterprise that proposes a large-scale, multi-channel, multi-purpose CATV plan. Is increasing. For example, as the supply contents of broadcasting (information, software) related services, in addition to retransmission of television broadcasting, independent broadcasting, provision of public relations / advertisement, multi-channel service (specialized broadcasting, channel leasing, etc.), high-level TV programs (Pay TV, distribution of satellite broadcast programs, high-definition TV, etc.),
Various interactive services (security, tele-shopping, etc.), information retrieval / reservation services, etc. are in practical use or in the testing stage.

Such a multipurpose CA that has entered the practical stage
A conventional system configuration of a TV system will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a conventional hybrid interactive CATV system that uses a telephone line as an upstream line.

In FIG. 4, the CATV center 10 is
HTC (home terminal controller) 11, which controls an unillustrated HTU (home terminal unit) arranged for each of the subscriber's dwelling unit terminals 30 to 33,
A CCU (communication control unit) 12 that performs matching (conversion, timing adjustment, etc.) of data flowing through the communication line and supplies the HTC 11 or vice versa, and a CATV system that outputs a downlink signal to the communication line It is composed of an HE (head end), which is said to be the heart of the mobile phone, a center telephone modem 14 which decodes upstream data from a public line and supplies it to the CCU, and a database 15 which stores subscriber information and the like.

The downlink data from the center 10 to the subscriber dwelling unit terminals 30 to 33 are transmitted via the downlink trunk transmission line (dedicated line) 20, and the uplink data from each subscriber dwelling unit to the center 10 is transmitted. , Is transmitted via the public line network 21.

By the way, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a basic structure of an example of a part related to retransmission of HE. As shown in the figure, the in HE (head-end), the antenna V _L for receiving conventional terrestrial broadcasting (VHF band), V _H
The television signal received by the DIS (Distributor) 2
It is distributed to each channel by 01, amplified by TVSP (reception amplifier) 202, and mixed by MIX (distributor) 20
It is output to 8. Also a normal terrestrial broadcast antenna U _L, the television signal received by the U _H for receiving (UHF band) is amplified by TVSP (reception amplifier) 202, MIX (mixing distributor) 208 to the output Has been done. In addition, a satellite dish 20 for receiving satellite broadcasting
The satellite broadcast wave received at 9 is converted to the converter 205, BS.
Tuner 206, TV-MOD (TV modulator) 207
Is output to the MIX (mixing / distributing device) 208 via. And PIL-GEN (pilot signal generator)
The output signal generated by 207 is directly output to MIX (mixing / distributing device) 208. Furthermore, the MI
The output end 210 of the X (mixing / distributing device) 208 is connected to the downlink main transmission line 20 and the subscriber dwelling unit terminals 30-
33 is transmitted.

Next, the conventional CA configured as described above
The operation of the TV system will be described.

The antennas shown in FIG. 5, _VL , _VH , and U
_L, the television signal received by the U _H, and satellite signals and the like received by the parabolic antenna 209 retransmission signal, program broadcast signal from the reproduced signal, such as a not shown VTR or laser disk, and from the CCU12 Terminal control data (hereinafter, also referred to as downlink data) for each subscriber dwelling unit is sent from the HE (head end) 10 to the downlink trunk transmission line (also referred to as CATV transmission line) 20. On the other hand, data of a response or request (hereinafter, also referred to as upstream data) from the terminals 30 to 33 for each subscriber housing unit to the center 10 is received by the center telephone modem 14 via the public line network 21, and the CCU 12 and HTC1
1 is processed.

Next, the terminal installed in each dwelling unit of the CATV subscriber will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional hybrid bidirectional CATV communication terminal.

In FIG. 6, the CATV transmission line 20 is connected to the demodulation means 301 which constitutes the communication terminal 221, and the demodulation means 301 sends the downlink data 3 to the control means 303.
02 is output. The control means 303 controls the downlink data 3
02, the processing data 304 is written to and read from the storage unit 305. Further, the write dial data 313 is output to the dial data storage means 312, and the NCU (network control means) 307 is output.
And outputs the upstream data 306 to the telephone modem 308 which constitutes the. The dial data storage means 312 outputs the stored center dial data to the dialer 310 constituting the NCU 307. Then, the dialer 310 outputs a selection signal 309 to the telephone modem 308, which causes the telephone modem 308 to CA the public line network 21.
Output TV upstream data.

The operation of the communication terminal 221 configured as above will be described below.

The CATV downlink data supplied from the center 10 to the demodulation means 301 constituting the communication terminal 221 via the CATV transmission line 20 is demodulated by the demodulation means 301 and supplied to the control means 303 as the downlink data 302. Then, processing is performed by the control means 303, and, for example, an image or the like based on the downlink data 302 is displayed on a television receiver or the like (not shown). Further, the control means 303 stores the processing data 30 in the storage means 305.
4 is written and read. Further, the control means 303, when sending (responding) the upstream data 306 to the center 10, has the dial data storage means 31.
2 is requested to output the center dial data stored in the dial data storage means 312, and based on this, the dial data storage means 312 outputs the dial data 311 to the dialer 310 and the dialer 310. Outputs a DTMF selection signal 309 to the telephone modem 308, so that the telephone modem 308 calls the center telephone modem 14 via the exchange of the public line network 21. When the line between the center telephone modem 14 and the telephone modem 308 of the communication terminal 221 is secured, the control means 303 outputs the upstream data 306 to the telephone modem 308, and the telephone modem 308 outputs the public line network. The CATV upstream data is sent to the center 10 via 21.

By the way, the subscriber housing unit terminals 30 to 33 are provided.
In the conventional CATV system having the above-mentioned example, it is necessary for each of the subscriber residence unit terminals 30 to 33 to share and use one center telephone modem 14 via one public line network 21. Therefore, each subscriber housing unit terminal 30
~ 33 must use one center telephone modem 14 in sequence. For example, when the center 10 requests the subscriber residence unit terminals 30 to 33 to transmit uplink data, the center 10 sequentially transmits the uplink data request command to each of the subscriber residence unit terminals 30 to 33. Subscriber dwelling unit terminals 30 to 33 are sequentially connected to the center telephone modem 1
The method of calling 4 is adopted.

That is, the center 10 is the subscriber housing unit terminal 30.
To the next subscriber dwell unit terminal 31 at the stage when the request for the upstream data transmission is issued, the response to the request is completed, and the line disconnection between the center telephone modem 14 and the subscriber dwell unit terminal 30 is confirmed. A request for upstream data transmission will be issued. After that, similarly, when the line disconnection between the center telephone modem 14 and the subscriber residence unit terminal 31 is confirmed, a request for the upstream data transmission is issued to the next subscriber residence unit terminal 32, and the subscriber is sequentially repeated to join. All the upstream data of the individual residence unit terminals 30 to 33 are obtained. Such a communication procedure (data link establishing method) is called a polling / selecting method. By using such a method, each subscriber residence terminal receives an upstream data request and sends a response to it. When returning, it can be avoided that the telephone line is in use, that is, the center telephone modem 14 is in use (busy) and unavailable.

However, in such a communication system,
It is necessary to repeat the above process for the number of the subscriber residence units in order to complete the collection of the data of the subscriber residence units, which requires time. In addition, since the telephone line network (public line network) is used as a communication line, the line is connected via an exchange, so that a connection delay of several seconds to several dozen seconds occurs, or communication equipment due to congestion or the like. It is also possible that a call is blocked (call loss).

In addition to the above, if the number of subscriber residence unit terminals increases, it will take a very long time to complete the collection of data of many subscriber residence units terminals. There arises a problem that the performance of the center 10 as a device (system) is extremely deteriorated.

[0019]

As described above, the conventional hybrid interactive CATV system has a problem (deficiency) that the information collection and data processing efficiency of the communication system is extremely deteriorated when the number of subscriber terminals increases. there were.

Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, the present invention provides a hybrid bidirectional CATV system capable of suppressing a decrease in information collection and data processing efficiency of a communication system due to an increase in the number of subscriber terminals. The purpose is to do.

[0021]

A two-way CATV system according to the present invention uses a dedicated line as a line for transmitting data from a center device to a terminal device, and from the terminal device to the center device. A two-way communication system using a plurality of telephone lines as a line for transmitting data, wherein the terminal device stores a plurality of telephone number data in a telephone number storage means, and data transmitted from the center device. A demodulation means for demodulating the telephone number data, a plurality of telephone number data transmitted from the center apparatus, demodulated by the demodulation means, and written in the telephone number storage means; and a predetermined number from the telephone number storage means. Telephone number data selecting means for selecting and reading telephone number data, and telephone number data obtained by the telephone number data selecting means The automatic line connection signal transmitting means for transmitting the telephone line connection signal to the exchange of the public line network, and the response to the plurality of telephone number data received from the center device are connected by the public line connection signal transmitting means. Response data transmitting means for outputting to the center device via a line network, the telephone number storing means, the demodulating means, the telephone number data writing means, the telephone number data selecting means, the automatic line connection signal transmitting means, and A bidirectional CATV system comprising: a control unit that controls the response data transmission unit.

A bidirectional CATV according to the present invention.
The system according to claim 1, wherein the control means writes a plurality of telephone number data received from the center device via the demodulating means into the telephone number storage means, and then the telephone The number data selecting means is controlled to read out predetermined telephone number data from the telephone number data stored in the telephone number storing means, and the automatic line connection signal sending means is controlled to connect the line with the center device. The response of the data received from the center device is output from the response data sending means to the center device via the public line network connected by the automatic line connection signal sending means.

Bidirectional CATV according to the third aspect of the invention
The system is a two-way communication system using a dedicated line as a line for transmitting data from a center device to a terminal device and using a plurality of telephone lines as a line for transmitting data from a terminal device to the center device. The terminal device stores the telephone number storage means for storing a plurality of telephone number data, the demodulation means for demodulating the data transmitted from the center device, and the command data transmitted from the center device, Command execution means for performing demodulation by the demodulation means and processing based on the command data, telephone number data selection means for selecting and reading out predetermined telephone number data from the telephone number storage means, and telephone number data selection means With the phone number data
An automatic line connection signal transmitting means for transmitting a telephone line connection signal to an exchange of a public line network, and a processing result of command data received from the center device are transmitted via a public line network connected by the automatic line connection signal transmitting means. Response data transmitting means for outputting to the center device, the telephone number storing means, the demodulating means, the command executing means,
And a control means for controlling the telephone number data selection means, the automatic line connection signal transmission means, and the response data transmission means.

Bidirectional CATV according to the present invention.
4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the control means performs processing based on command data received from the center device via the demodulation means, and then activates the telephone number data selection means. By controlling, the predetermined telephone number data designated by the command data is read out from the telephone number data stored in the telephone number storage means, and the automatic line connection signal transmitting means is controlled to establish a line with the center device. And the processing result of the command data received from the center device is output from the response data sending means to the center device via the public line network connected by the automatic line connection signal sending means. To do.

Bidirectional CATV according to the present invention.
The system is a two-way communication system using a dedicated line as a line for transmitting data from a center device to a terminal device and using a plurality of telephone lines as a line for transmitting data from a terminal device to the center device. The terminal device includes a telephone number storage means for storing a plurality of telephone number data, a demodulation means for demodulating the data transmitted from the center device, and a plurality of telephones for which the data transmitted from the center device are stored. In the case of number data, the plurality of telephone number data are demodulated by the demodulating means and written in the telephone number storing means, and the data transmitted from the center device is command data. Is a command execution that demodulates the command data by the demodulation means and performs processing based on the command data. Means, telephone number data selecting means for selecting and reading out predetermined telephone number data from the telephone number storing means, and telephone number data obtained by the telephone number data selecting means, and a telephone line connection signal for a public network switch. And an automatic line connection signal transmitting means for transmitting to the center device, and a response to the plurality of telephone number data when the data transmitted from the center device is a plurality of telephone number data, the data received from the center device is a command When it is data, a response data sending means for outputting the processing result of the command data to the center device via the public line network connected by the automatic line connection signal sending means, and the telephone number storage means. , The demodulating means, the telephone number data writing means, the command executing means, the telephone number data Selection means, the automatic line connection signal sending means, and is characterized by comprising a control means for controlling the response data transmission means.

A bidirectional CATV according to the present invention.
The system is a two-way CATV system according to claim 5, wherein the control means stores the telephone number in the telephone number storage means when the data received from the center device via the demodulating means is a plurality of telephone number data. After performing the processing of writing the telephone number data, the telephone number data selecting means is controlled to read out predetermined telephone number data from the telephone number data stored in the telephone number storing means, and the automatic line connection signal The response data transmission means controls the transmission means to connect a line with the center device, and the response of the data received from the center device is transmitted from the response data transmission means via the public line network connected by the automatic line connection signal transmission means. If the data output to the center device and received from the center device via the demodulating means is command data, the command data is output. After performing processing based on the telephone number data, the telephone number data selecting means is controlled so that the predetermined telephone number data designated by the command data is selected from among the telephone number data stored in the telephone number storing means. To control the automatic line connection signal sending means to connect the line with the center device, and to process the command data received from the center device through the public line network connected by the automatic line connection signal sending device. The response data sending means outputs the response data to the center device.

Bidirectional CATV according to the present invention.
The system is the interactive CATV system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the telephone number data selection means is based on an information category of transmission data from the terminal device to a center device. It is characterized in that the telephone number data is selected from the telephone number data stored in the storage means.

Bidirectional CATV according to the present invention.
The system is the interactive CATV system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the telephone number data selecting means sequentially selects the telephone number from the telephone number data stored in the telephone number storing means. The feature is that data is selected.

Bidirectional CATV according to the present invention.
The system is the interactive CATV system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the terminal device has an addressable function.

[0030]

According to the invention of claim 1 or 2, when the center telephone modem or the like of the center device is changed (the number of installed units, telephone numbers, allocation, etc.) is changed,
Since the contents of the change are notified to the subscriber terminal device and the contents (center dial number) of the storage device (means) inside the terminal device can be changed (rewritten) by an instruction from the center device, the user can Even if the change of the center device is not recognized, the latest center device information can be given to the subscriber terminal device, whereby the center device is always in an accurate procedure without malfunction or processing delay. It is possible to communicate with the subscriber terminal device.

According to the third or fourth aspect of the invention, when a command or other data is transmitted from the center device to the subscriber terminal device, the subscriber terminal device responds to the center device. Since the center telephone modem number (telephone number, etc.) to be returned is designated, even if there are many subscriber terminal devices, communication between the center device and the subscriber terminal devices can be carried out smoothly. Is possible.

According to the invention of claim 5 or 6, in addition to the operation of claims 1 to 4, the number (telephone number, etc.) of the center telephone modem to which the subscriber terminal device should respond is By changing in stages according to the subscriber's contract content, usage situation, etc., for example, by notifying the subscriber terminal device of a special number (telephone number, etc.) of the center telephone modem at the request of the subscriber. It is also possible to perform processing such as providing a special service to the subscriber.

According to the invention as set forth in claim 7, since the number of the center telephone modem is predetermined according to the service contents requested by the subscriber terminal device to the center device, a large number of subscriber terminal devices are provided. Even if it exists
It is possible to smoothly perform communication between the center device and the subscriber terminal device without imposing a heavy load on the center device.

According to the invention described in claim 8, when the subscriber terminal device requests a service from the center device,
Since the subscriber terminal device sequentially calls the numbers of the center telephone modem, automatically finds the center telephone modem that is not busy, and connects the line, many subscriber terminal devices request service from the center device. It is possible to reduce the time loss until the line is connected in the case of being connected.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the subscriber terminal device has the addressable function (because it is the addressable CATV system), the pay program is scrambled and sent to the downlink. The pay program can be provided only to the contracted subscriber terminal device. For example, when the subscriber outputs a request to the center device (automatically) at the same time, the address unique to the terminal device owned by the subscriber and the contract for each address managed by the center device When the contents match, by outputting the data for descrambling at the subscriber terminal device from the center device to the subscriber terminal device,
The pay program can be provided only to the contracted subscriber terminal device.

[0036]

EXAMPLES Examples will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a hybrid CATV terminal according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, the CATV transmission line 20 is connected to the demodulation means 301 which constitutes the communication terminal 222, and the demodulation means 301 sends the downlink data 3 to the control means 303.
02 is output. The control means 303 controls the downlink data 30.
2 is performed, and the processing data 304 is written to and read from the storage unit 305. In addition, the control means 303 is the dial data storage means 3
The dial data 12 (plurality of center dial data) 313 is supplied to and stored in the storage unit 12, and the upstream data 306 is output to the telephone modem 308 forming the NCU (network control unit) 307. Then, for example, the dial selection means 3115, based on the dial selection means control signal 3117 output from the control means 303, stores a plurality of center dial data (dial 1 to N: N) stored in the dial data storage means 312. Is a natural number) 312
The dial selection means 311 from 0 to 3124, respectively.
Dial data 1 to N (31
10 to 3114), the selected dial data 3116 is output to the automatic dialer 310 constituting the NCU 307. Then, the automatic dialer 310 outputs a selection signal 309 to the telephone modem 308, so that the telephone modem 308 causes the CATV to the public line network 21.
Output upstream data.

The operation of the communication terminal 222 configured as above will be described below.

When the CATV downlink data supplied (downloaded) from the center 10 to the demodulation means 301 constituting the communication terminal 222 via the CATV transmission line 20 is telephone number data, the demodulation means 301 causes After being demodulated and supplied as downlink data 302 to the control means 303 and processed by the control means 303, the telephone number data is written to the dial data storage means 312. That is, based on the write dial data 313, a plurality of center telephone number data are stored in the dial data storage means 312 (dial 1 to N: N is a natural number) 3120 to 3124.
Is stored in.

On the other hand, from the center 10 to the CATV transmission line 2
0 through 0, the demodulation means 301 constituting the communication terminal 222
When the CATV downlink data supplied to is data other than the telephone number data such as command data,
The data is demodulated by the demodulation means 301 and supplied as downlink data 302 to the control means 303, and is processed by the control means 303. For example, a video image or the like based on the downlink data 302 is displayed on a television receiver (not shown) or the like. Is done. Further, the control means 303 is configured to store the storage means 30
5, the processing data 304 is written and read.

When the control means 303 sends (responds) the upstream data 306 to the center 10,
The dial selection means 3115 is controlled by the dial selection means control signal 3117 obtained by processing the downlink data 302 from the center 10, and the designated dial data is selected from the dial data 3110 to 3114. , Select dial data 3116 is output to the automatic dialer 310, which dialer 310
The F selection signal 309 is output to the telephone modem 308. As a result, the telephone modem 308 calls the center telephone modem through the exchange of the public line network 21, and when the line is connected, the control means 303 sends the upstream data (response data) 306 to the telephone modem. It is output to 308 and sent to the center 10 as CATV upstream data.

As described above, according to the present communication terminal, in response to an instruction from the center 10 (or a service request from the present communication terminal), the DTMF selection signal 309 which is the output of the automatic dialer 310 can be transmitted in a maximum of N ways. Can be changed to

Next, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the CATV system of the present invention including the above-mentioned CATV terminal.

In FIG. 2, the CATV center 10 is
HTC (home terminal controller) 11, which controls an unillustrated HTU (home terminal unit) arranged for each of the subscriber's dwelling unit terminals 30 to 33,
A CCU (communication control unit) 12 that performs matching (conversion, timing adjustment, etc.) of data flowing through the communication line and supplies the HTC 11 or vice versa, and a CATV system that outputs a downlink signal to the communication line The HE (head end), which is said to be the heart of the above, and a plurality of center telephone modems 141 to 143 which decode upstream data from the public line and supply it to the CCU, and a database 15 which stores subscriber information and the like.

The plurality of center telephone modems 141 to 1
43 can simultaneously accept calls (line connection) from a plurality of subscriber terminals. That is, in this embodiment, the center 10 can simultaneously receive the uplink data of up to three subscribers.

Next, the operation of the CATV system according to the present invention configured as described above will be described.

The antennas shown in FIG. 5, _VL , _VH , U
_L, subscription from the television signal received by the U _H, and retransmit the signal of the satellite broadcasting signal received by the parabolic antenna 209, a program broadcast signal from the reproduced signal, such as a not-shown VTR and laser disks, and the CCU12 The terminal control data (downstream data) for each residential unit is the HE
From the (headend) 10, the downlink trunk transmission line (CAT
(Also referred to as V transmission line) 20.

On the other hand, the data (upstream data) of the response or request from the terminals 30 to 33 for each subscriber unit to the center 10 is used. In this embodiment, for example, the center telephone modem for the subscriber terminal 30 is used. 141, the center telephone modem 142 for the subscriber terminal 31, and the center telephone modem 143 for the subscriber terminal 32 can be simultaneously called, and calling (line connection) and transmission of upstream data can be performed. . As a result, the center 10 collects the terminal data stored in each of the subscriber terminals 30 to 32 by the method described in the conventional example, that is, the simultaneous use of the same telephone line (center telephone modem). In order to avoid this, by sequentially requesting upstream data from the center 10 to each subscriber terminal, it is not necessary to control each subscriber terminal to sequentially output upstream data, and the data transmission efficiency is significantly improved. Can be made.

By the way, as a combination of a subscriber terminal and a center telephone modem, for example, a method of grouping each subscriber terminal and assigning a telephone number to be used for each group, that is, a center telephone modem, and upstream data information are used. A method of allocating a center telephone modem to be used for each category can be considered. It should be noted that the grouping may be performed by, for example, the service area of the subscriber terminal or the contract status of the subscriber terminal. Also,
As the information category of the upstream data, for example, a method of assigning the audience rating survey service to the center telephone modem 141, a program reservation service to the center telephone modem 142, and a shopping service to the center telephone modem 143 can be considered.

As described above, each center telephone modem 141
By setting the subscriber terminal corresponding to each of ~ 143, the classification process of each service data in the HTC 11 becomes unnecessary, and the burden of the processing work of the center 10 can be reduced.

In the above-described embodiment, by assigning a separate telephone number (center telephone modem) to each terminal, the connection efficiency of the uplink is improved and the center 1
Although it is intended to reduce the processing work load of 0, the next is a line between the subscriber terminal and the center telephone modem, which is very simple but can improve the connection efficiency of the uplink. The connection method will be described below.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an embodiment of a line connection procedure by the communication or CATV system of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, in the configuration shown in FIG. 2, one terminal sequentially uses a plurality of telephone numbers (center telephone modems) to call to improve the efficiency of uplink connection. is there.

When the CATV terminal sends out data to the center (step s1), the modem number A corresponding to the center telephone modem in the center 10 to which the maximum M number of 1 to M modem numbers are allocated. Is set to 1 (step s2), and the telephone number of the designated modem number A is dialed (step s3). Next, it is judged whether or not the telephone line (center telephone modem) of the designated modem number is busy (busy) (step s4), and if not busy, the call (calling) is continued to connect the line ( When step s5) is confirmed, upstream data is transmitted (step s7), and this procedure ends (step s11).
If it is determined to be busy in step s4, or
In step s5, if the number of times the center telephone modem is called exceeds a predetermined value and a time-out occurs (step s6), the call is stopped and the modem number A is incremented (1 is added) (step s8). .

After the processing of step s8, if the modem number is within the maximum value M (step s9), the process proceeds to step s3, and the telephone number of the designated modem number A is dialed (step s3). . If the modem number exceeds the maximum value M in step s9, whether or not to retry the connection procedure from the modem number 1 again (step s1)
If 0) is determined and retry is performed, step s
Go to step 2, set the modem number A to 1, and repeat the above procedure. When it is determined that the retry is not performed in step s10, this procedure ends (step s11).

In the above embodiment, the hybrid CAT is used.
Although the V system has been described as an example, the present invention can be applied to all communication systems using a hybrid system and having one master and a plurality of slaves.

Also, a special program broadcasting signal by a reproduction signal such as a VTR or a laser disk (not shown) is scrambled so that it cannot be viewed on a general subscriber residence terminal (address), and a specific subscriber residence Signal (data) for descrambling to terminal (address)
It is, of course, possible to apply it to a CATV system having an addressable system function for making it possible to view the special program broadcast.

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention, even if the number of subscriber terminals increases, the quality of service, that is, the responsiveness, the high efficiency, the reliability, etc. are not deteriorated. CA
It is possible to provide a TV system.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a hybrid CATV terminal of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a CATV system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a line connection procedure by the communication or CATV system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a conventional hybrid interactive CATV system that uses a telephone line as an upstream line.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a basic configuration of a part related to headend retransmission.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional hybrid bidirectional CATV communication terminal.

[Explanation of symbols]

20 ... CATV transmission line 21 ... Public line network 222 ... Communication terminal 301 ... Demodulation means 302 ... Downstream data 303 ... Control means 304 ... Process data 305 ... Storage means 306 ... Upstream data 307 ... NCU (network control means) 308 ... Telephone modem 309 ... Selection signal 310 ... Dialer 312 ... Dial data storage means 313 ... Write dial data (and dial data output signal) 3110-3114 ... Dial data 1-dial data N 3115 ... Dial selection means 3116 ... Selection dial data 3117 ... Dial selection Means control signal 3120 to 3124 ... Dial 1 to dial N

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Seiichi Yokobori, 3-3-9 Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo Inside Toshiba Abu E Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shiro Kudo, 3-chome, Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo No. 3-9 Toshiba Abu E Co., Ltd.

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A bidirectional system in which a dedicated line is used as a line for transmitting data from a center device to a terminal device and a plurality of telephone lines are used as lines for transmitting data from a terminal device to a center device. A communication system, wherein the terminal device includes a telephone number storage unit that stores a plurality of telephone number data, a demodulation unit that demodulates data transmitted from the center device, and a plurality of telephones transmitted from the center device. Telephone number data writing means for demodulating the number data by the demodulating means and writing it in the telephone number storage means, telephone number data selecting means for selecting and reading out predetermined telephone number data from the telephone number storage means, and the telephone number An automatic line that sends a telephone line connection signal to a switch of a public line network based on the telephone number data obtained by the data selection means. Connection signal transmitting means, and response data transmitting means for outputting a response to the plurality of telephone number data received from the center device to the center device via the public line network connected by the automatic line connection signal transmitting means. A telephone number storage means, the demodulation means, the telephone number data writing means, the telephone number data selecting means, the automatic line connection signal sending means, and the control means for controlling the response data sending means. Characteristic interactive CATV system. 2. The control means writes a plurality of telephone number data received from the center device via the demodulating means in the telephone number storing means, and then controls the telephone number data selecting means, The predetermined telephone number data is read from the telephone number data stored in the telephone number storage means, the automatic line connection signal sending means is controlled to connect the line with the center device, and the data received from the center device is stored. 2. The bidirectional CATV according to claim 1, wherein the response data output means outputs the response to the center device via a public line network connected by the automatic line connection signal transmission means.
system. 3. A bidirectional system in which a dedicated line is used as a line for transmitting data from the center device to the terminal device and a plurality of telephone lines are used as lines for transmitting data from the terminal device to the center device. In the communication system, the terminal device stores telephone number storage means for storing a plurality of telephone number data, demodulation means for demodulating data transmitted from the center device, and command data transmitted from the center device. Command execution means for performing demodulation by the demodulation means and processing based on the command data, telephone number data selection means for selecting and reading out predetermined telephone number data from the telephone number storage means, and telephone number data selection means Automatic line connection signal that sends the telephone line connection signal to the switch of the public line network by the telephone number data obtained by An output means, a response data transmission means for outputting the processing result of the command data received from the center device to the center device via a public line network connected by the automatic line connection signal transmission means, and the telephone number. Bidirectional CATV comprising: storage means, demodulation means, command execution means, telephone number data selection means, automatic line connection signal transmission means and control data transmission means. system. 4. The control means performs processing based on command data received from the center device via the demodulation means, and then controls the telephone number data selection means to perform the telephone number storage means. The predetermined telephone number data designated by the command data is read out from the telephone number data stored in, and the automatic line connection signal transmitting means is controlled to connect the line with the center device and receive from the center device. 4. The bidirectional CATV according to claim 3, wherein the processing result of the command data is output from the response data sending means to the center device via a public line network connected by the automatic line connection signal sending means. system. 5. A bidirectional system in which a dedicated line is used as a line for transmitting data from the center device to the terminal device and a plurality of telephone lines are used as lines for transmitting data from the terminal device to the center device. In the communication system, the terminal device includes a telephone number storage unit that stores a plurality of telephone number data, a demodulation unit that demodulates the data transmitted from the center device, and a plurality of data transmitted from the center device. , The telephone number data writing means for demodulating the plurality of telephone number data by the demodulating means and writing the telephone number data in the telephone number storage means, and the data transmitted from the center device are command data. In some cases, the command data is demodulated by the demodulation means, and the command data is processed based on the command data. Execution means, telephone number data selection means for selecting and reading out predetermined telephone number data from the telephone number storage means, and telephone number data obtained by the telephone number data selection means for transmitting a telephone line connection signal to a public line network. An automatic line connection signal transmitting means for transmitting to the exchange, and when the data transmitted from the center device is a plurality of telephone number data, a response to the plurality of telephone number data is transmitted by the data received from the center device. In the case of command data, the processing result of the command data is output to the center device via the public line network connected by the automatic line connection signal sending unit, and the response data sending unit, and the telephone number storage. Means, demodulating means, telephone number data writing means, command executing means, telephone number Data selection means, the automatic line connection signal sending means and two-way CATV system characterized by comprising a control means for controlling the response data sending means. 6. The control means performs a process of writing the telephone number data in the telephone number storage means when the data received from the center device via the demodulating means is a plurality of telephone number data. After that, the telephone number data selecting means is controlled to read out predetermined telephone number data from the telephone number data stored in the telephone number storing means, and the automatic line connection signal sending means is controlled so that the center device , The response of the data received from the center device via the public line network connected by the automatic line connection signal sending means,
If the data output from the response data sending means to the center device and received from the center device via the demodulating means is command data, after processing based on the command data, the telephone number The data selecting means is controlled to read out predetermined telephone number data designated by the command data from the telephone number data stored in the telephone number storing means, and the automatic line connection signal transmitting means is controlled to control the center. A line is connected to the device and the processing result of the command data received from the center device is output from the response data sending means to the center device via the public line network connected by the automatic line connection signal sending means. The interactive CATV system according to claim 5, characterized in that: 7. The telephone number data selection means selects telephone number data from among the telephone number data stored in the telephone number storage means based on an information category of data transmitted from the terminal device to the center device. The bidirectional C according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that
ATV system. 8. The telephone number data selecting means sequentially selects the telephone number data from the telephone number data stored in the telephone number storage means. The interactive CATV system according to any one of claims 1. 9. The interactive CATV system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the terminal device has an addressable function.