JP2000350178A - Viewing control system in video image distribution system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow only a viewer who is viewing AV information of an AV unit to control the AV unit during the viewing. SOLUTION: A subunit is provided with a viewing state AV unit specifying means 24a that specifies an AV unit being viewed and with a specific viewing state AV unit generating means 24b that generates information of the AV unit specified by the viewing state AV unit specifying means 24a. A main unit is provided with a specific viewing state AV unit information reception means 15a that receives information generated by the specific viewing state AV unit generating means 24b and with an inhibit means 15b which inhibits viewing subunits other than a specific subunit that inhibits viewing subunit other than a specific subunit that is showing AV information based on the specific viewing state AV unit information received by the specific viewing state AV unit information reception means 15a.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a viewing control method in a video distribution system, and more particularly to a video distribution system in which only a user who is watching can control a change or stop of an AV device being viewed. It relates to a viewing control method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a television and a remote controller for operating the television have been installed in each room such as a children's room and a living room even in a general household. In addition to simply watching terrestrial TV broadcast programs as video sources,
It has become possible to select an S tuner, a video tape recorder, or a DVD player as desired to view various images.

In such a case, AV equipment such as a CS tuner, a video tape recorder, and a DVD player are installed in a central control room (one room), and a television and a remote controller are installed in each room (other rooms). Is common. Such a system is called a video distribution system. Other AV devices include, for example, LDs and video CDs.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a conventional video distribution system. As shown in FIG. 10, a conventional video distribution system includes a plurality of AV devices (CS tuners, DVD players, video tape players, etc.) 101 to 103 installed in a first room (one room) 150. The signals are modulated at different frequencies by the main unit 110,
Thereafter, the signals are mixed, and the mixed signals are separated by the distributor 120 and the transmission line 121 into the second to fourth rooms (other rooms) 151 to 1.
The AV devices 101 to 103 connected to the main unit 110 are distributed to the main unit 110 by selecting the distribution channel by performing a channel selection operation using the remote controllers 161 to 162 of the sub televisions 131 to 133 in the rooms 151 to 153.
Video / audio (AV information) can be viewed. 130 is a main television directly connected to the main unit 110.

Further, remote control codes for the AV devices 101 to 103 are transmitted to the main unit 110 through the first to third subunits 101 to 103 in each room,
According to the remote control code received by the main unit 110, each of the AV devices 101 to 103 can be operated.

[0006]

However, the conventional video distribution system has the following problems.
Note that, for convenience of description, a channel that distributes video and audio from any of the above-described modulated AV devices is referred to as a distribution channel N (N is a number).

That is, when a viewer in the second room 151 is watching the distribution channel 1 using the CS tuner as a distribution source through the first subunit 141, a viewer in the third room 152 There is a possibility that the remote control code for the CS tuner of the distribution channel 1 is transmitted through the second subunit 142 and the channel of the CS tuner is changed even though the viewer in the second room 151 is watching. (For example, changing the CS tuner to a DVD player). In addition to the change of the channel, for example, there are controls such as stop, reverse rotation, skip in the middle, and voice.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a video distribution system in which, when a certain viewer is viewing AV information of a certain AV device, only that viewer can control the currently viewed AV device. It is to provide a viewing control method.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the problem, the present invention installs an AV device and a main unit for controlling the AV device in one room, and controls a TV and the TV in another room. A sub-unit and a remote controller are installed, and an AV signal output from the AV device is distributed to the other room via a transmission line under the control of the main unit. In the other room, the AV signal is transmitted under the control of the sub-unit. In a video distribution system that causes a television to output an AV signal of any of the AV devices, a viewing A that specifies the AV device that is being viewed via any of the subunits
A V-apparatus specifying means; and a non-specific sub-unit viewing prohibiting means for prohibiting viewing other than the specific sub-unit being viewed based on the specific watching AV apparatus information specified by the watching AV device specifying means. It is characterized by.

In this way, the currently viewed AV device specifying means specifies the currently viewed AV device. The viewing prohibition means other than the specific subunit prohibits viewing other than the specific subunit being viewed, based on the specified specific viewing AV device information. Therefore, it is possible to control the AV device being viewed.
A is the only user who is watching and A is contrary to the user's will
There is no change or suspension of V information.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiment. Note that the video distribution system to which this embodiment is applied is the same as that in FIG. 10 described above, and the difference lies in the inside of the main unit and the subunit.

(1) Explanation of the Principle of the Present Invention First, the principle of the present invention will be described based on the system configuration diagram shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, a main unit control unit 1
5 corresponds to the main unit control unit 15 of FIG. 2 described below, and the subunit control unit 24 corresponds to the subunit control unit 24 of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, a video distribution system according to the present invention comprises a main unit control unit 15 in a main unit.
And a sub-unit control unit 24 in the sub-unit.
1 to 103, remote controllers 160 and 161, sub television 13
1, a main television 130 and the like.

The subunit control unit 24 controls the
The currently viewed AV device identification control unit 24a for specifying the device, and the currently viewed AV device information generation control unit 24 for generating information of the AV device specified by the currently viewed AV device specification control unit 24a
b, and a viewer change information generation control unit 24c that generates information indicating the change when a certain AV device being viewed is changed to another AV device.

The main unit control unit 15 includes a specific viewing AV device information receiving unit 15a for receiving information generated by the specific viewing AV device information generation control unit 24b, and a specific viewing AV device information receiving unit 15a. Based on the received specific AV device information during specific viewing, the non-specific sub-unit non-viewing prohibition control unit 15b for prohibiting viewing other than the specific sub-unit currently being viewed, and the viewer change information generation control unit 24c Upon receiving information that a certain AV device has been changed to another AV device,
A viewing prohibition release control unit 15c for releasing viewing prohibition of the device.

In this way, the currently watching AV device identification control unit 24a of the subunit control unit specifies the currently viewed AV device, and the specific viewing AV device information generation control unit 24b specifies the currently viewed AV device based on the specified information. Generates information about AV equipment. The specific-viewing AV device information receiving unit 15a of the main unit control unit receives the specified AV device information, and the viewing prohibition control unit 15b other than the specific sub-unit performs the watching and specifying based on the specified specific viewing AV device information. Prohibit viewing other than sub-units. Therefore, the AV being viewed
Only the user who is watching can control the device.
The AV information is not changed or stopped against the user's intention.

In the description of the present principle, the currently-viewing AV device specifying control unit 24a and the like are provided in the subunit control unit 24.
Although the case has been described in which the viewing prohibition control unit 15b and the like other than the specific subunit are provided in the main unit control unit 15, the AV device specification control unit 24a during viewing and the viewing prohibition control unit 15b and the like other than the specific subunit are independently provided. Of course, it may be provided in another device.

(2) First Embodiment Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the main unit 10 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the subunit 20 of the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the main unit 10 includes video / audio input terminals 11a to 11c, modulators 12a to 12c, a mixer 13, an antenna terminal 14, and a main unit control unit 1.
5. It comprises an infrared light emitting element 16 and the like.

The video and audio input terminals 11a to 11c receive the video and audio signals output from the AV devices 101 to 103 shown in FIG. 10 and convert the signals to the modulators 12a to 12c.
Output to The modulators 12a to 12c are set to modulation frequencies of different channels by a main unit control unit 15 including a microcomputer or the like, and modulate video / audio signals input from the video / audio input terminals 11a to 11c. 13 is output.

The mixer 13 mixes the signals input from the modulators 12a to 12c and outputs the mixed signal to the distributor 120 through the antenna terminal 14. The distributor 120 distributes a signal input from the main unit 10, and transmits the sub-units 141 to 143 of the second to fourth rooms through the transmission line 121.
The video / audio signals of the AV devices 101 to 103 are distributed to the devices.

The main unit control unit 15 converts the signals input from the antenna terminal 14 into the subunits 101 to 1.
03 receives the remote control code transmitted, and causes the infrared light emitting element 16 to emit light by the remote control code. Further, the main unit control section 15 has a built-in memory for storing the set value of the operation priority for each distribution channel.

Next, the subunit 20 will be described.
The subunit 20 includes an audio input terminal 21, AD conversion circuits 22a and 22b, a TV tuner 23, a subunit control unit 24, a remote control light receiving unit 25, and the like. The audio input terminal 21 receives an audio signal output from the connected sub television 131 and outputs the audio signal to the first AD conversion circuit 22a.

The TV tuner 23 is controlled by the sub-unit control unit 24, switches the channel to a distribution channel, demodulates only the audio signal from the video / audio signal transmitted through the transmission line 121, and sends the demodulated signal to the second AD conversion circuit 22b. Output the demodulated audio signal. Also, the signal transmitted through the transmission line is output to the antenna terminal of the sub television 131 as it is. First and second AD conversion circuits 22a and 22b
Performs AD conversion on the input audio signals, and outputs the converted data to the subunit control unit 24. The remote control light receiving unit 25 receives a remote control code operated by the user and transmits the received remote control code to the subunit control unit 2.
4 is output.

The subunit control unit 24 compares the data input from the first and second AD conversion circuits 22a and 22b, and determines whether the channel watched by the sub television 131 is
Determine which distribution channel. When the sub television 131 recognizes that the distribution channel has begun to be viewed, the main unit 10 transmits the I channel shown in FIG.
The data shown in FIG. 7 is transmitted to the D unit 31 to apply for the operation priority. Further, when recognizing that the distribution channel that has been viewed until now has been changed to another channel, the ID unit 31 and the data 32 are transmitted to the main unit 10 and a request for abandonment of the operation priority is made.

As shown in FIG. 6, the ID section 31 has an identification number 31a, distribution channel data 31b,
1c. The identification number 31a is a number unique to each of the subunits 101 to 103, and is used to distinguish the subunits 101 to 103. The distribution channel data 31b is used to distinguish which distribution channel the sub-units 101 to 103 have transmitted. The discrimination bit 31c indicates whether the data transmitted by the subunits 101 to 103 is data for applying for an operation priority or for abandoning the AV device 101 to 103.
It is used to distinguish whether it is a remote control code for 103.

FIG. 7 shows a format for transmitting data from the sub-units 101 to 103 to the main unit 10, and includes an ID part 31 and data indicating an operation priority application or abandonment application, or a remote control code for the AV devices 101 to 103. Of the data 32. The subunit control unit 24 transmits the remote control code input from the remote control light receiving unit 25, the ID unit 31, and the received remote control code itself data 32 to the main unit 10. Further, the subunit control unit 24 has a built-in memory for storing the distribution channel data 31b for which the operation priority has been applied.

Description of Operation--Subunit First, the operation of the subunit 20 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the sub television 1 input to the audio input terminal 21
The audio signal 31 is AD-converted by the first AD conversion circuit 22a, and the converted data is output to the sub-unit control unit 24.

The subunit control unit 24 sets the TV tuner 23 to the frequency of the distribution channel, and demodulates only the audio signal from the video / audio signal of the set distribution channel by the TV tuner 23. The demodulated audio signal is
The AD conversion circuit 22b performs AD conversion, and the converted data is output to the subunit control unit 24.

The subunit control unit 24 compares the data (data 1) input from the first AD conversion circuit 22a with the data (data 2) input from the second AD conversion circuit 22b (step A1). If the data 1 and the data 2 are the same, it is determined that the sub television 131 is viewing the distribution channel set in the TV tuner 23 (step A2). If data 1 and data 2 are different, TV
It is determined that the user is viewing a channel other than the distribution channel set in the tuner 23.

When it is determined that the sub television 131 is watching the distribution channel (step A2), the sub unit control unit 24 determines whether there is a record for which an operation priority right has already been applied (step A4). If so, the application for the operation priority has already been made, so no new application for the operation priority is made (step A5). If there is no record of application for the operation priority, the identification number 31a unique to the subunit 141,
An ID part 31 composed of three types of data, ie, distribution channel data 31b indicating which distribution channel is to be transmitted and a discrimination bit 31c, and data 32 requesting an operation priority are transmitted to the main unit 10 (step A).
6) Then, the distribution channel data 31b is recorded in the memory in the subunit control unit 24 (Step A7).

If it is determined that the sub television 131 is watching a channel other than the distribution channel set in the TV tuner 23 (step A3), the sub unit control unit 24
Checks whether the application has applied for the operation priority for the distribution channel set in the TV tuner 23 (step A8). If it is recorded that the operation priority has been applied, the sub television 131 determines that the user has started viewing a channel other than the distribution channel for which the operation priority has been applied. The data 32 indicating the request for relinquishing the right is transmitted to the main unit 10 (step A9). The subunit control unit 24 deletes the recorded distribution channel data 31b from the memory (Step A10), and sets the TV tuner 23 to the next distribution channel (Step A11).

If there is no record requesting the operation priority for the distribution channel, the subunit control unit 24
The distribution channel currently set in the TV tuner 23 is set as the next distribution channel (step A11), and the process of comparing data 1 and data 2 is repeated. When the comparison is completed for all the distribution channels, the setting is returned to the first distribution channel, and the process of comparing data 1 and data 2 is repeated.

The above described fetching of data 1 and data 2 and the operations of steps A1 to A11 are shown in FIG.
The operation of the “viewing AV device identification control unit 24a” shown in FIG.

Next, an operation when the user transmits a remote control code to the subunit in order to operate the AV equipment will be described with reference to FIG. The subunit control unit 24
The remote control code is received from the remote control
Then, the received remote control code data 32 is transmitted to the main unit 10. This transmission is the operation of the “specific viewing AV device information generation control unit 24b”.

Description of Operation--Main Unit Next, the operation of the main unit 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, upon receiving the data transmitted from the sub-unit, the main unit control unit 15 extracts the identification number 31a, the distribution channel data 31b, and the discrimination bit 31c from the received data. It is determined whether data indicating a right application or abandonment application has been transmitted, or whether a remote control code for the AV devices 101 to 103 has been transmitted (step B1) ("Specific viewing AV device information receiving unit 15a" in FIG. 1). Behavior).

If the discrimination bit 31c indicates a code other than the remote control code for the AV device (step B2), the data 3
It is determined whether or not 2 is data indicating an application for operation priority (step B3). When the data 32 is data for applying for the operation priority (step B4), the main unit control unit 15 determines whether or not the set value of the operation priority is recorded in the memory for the distribution channel indicated by the distribution channel data 31b. Is determined (step B5). If the set value of the operation priority is not recorded, the identification number 31a extracted from the received data is recorded in the memory in the main unit control unit 15 as the set value of the operation priority for the distribution channel (step B6). . If the identification numbers of the other subunits have already been recorded as the operation priority setting values, the process ends (step B7). (Operation of “Viewing prohibition control unit 15b other than specific subunit” in FIG. 1)

The main unit controller 15 stores the data 32
If is not the data indicating the application of the operation priority (step B8), it is determined whether the data is the data indicating the application for the abandonment of the operation priority (step B9). If the data 32 is data indicating a request for abandonment of the operation priority (operation of the “viewing change information generation control unit 24c”), the main unit control unit 15 determines the operation priority in the memory for the distribution channel indicated by the distribution channel data 31b. Is compared with the identification number 31a extracted from the received data (step B10).
If the set value is the same as the identification number 31a, the record of the set value of the operation priority for the distribution channel is deleted (step B11). If the set value is different from the identification number 31a, the process is terminated as it is because the identification numbers of the other subunits have already been recorded as the operation priority set value (step B12). ("Viewing prohibition release control unit 1
5c ")

When the data 32 is a remote control code for an AV device, the main unit control unit 15 sets the operation priority of the distribution channel indicated by the distribution channel data 31b and the identification number 31a extracted from the received data.
(Step B13), and the set value is compared with the identification number 31a.
Are the same, the infrared light emitting element 16 emits light in accordance with the received data 32, thereby transmitting a remote control code to the AV device of the distribution channel (step B1).
4) Operate the AV device. If the set value and the identification number 31a are different, the process is terminated as it is because the identification numbers of the other subunits have already been recorded as the operation priority setting values (step B15).

(2) Second Embodiment The difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment is that the first embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the audio output of the sub-television connected to the sub-unit as the AV device identification means during viewing is: In contrast to the comparison of the audio output delivered to the subunit, the present embodiment compares the remote control code data (data 3) transmitted from the remote control with the remote control code data (data 3) stored in the memory of the subunit control unit. This is in comparison with data 4).

FIG. 8 shows a configuration diagram of the subunit 40 in the second embodiment of the present invention. Subunit control unit 2
Reference numeral 4 stores remote control code data (data 4) for selecting a sub television in an internal memory. Further, the subunit control unit 24 receives a remote control code from the remote control light receiving unit 25 when the viewer selects the sub television 131 with the remote control.

Next, the operation of the subunit 40 will be described with reference to FIG. When the viewer selects the sub television 131 with the remote control, the remote control code transmitted from the remote control is:
The sub television 131 receives and selects a channel according to the received remote control code. At the same time, the remote control code transmitted from the remote control is also received by the remote control light receiving unit 25 of the subunit 20A, and the received remote control code is output to the subunit control unit 24.

The subunit control unit 24 compares the remote control code data (data 3) input from the remote control light receiving unit 25 with the remote control code data (data 4) stored in the memory of the subunit control unit 24 (step 4). C1) If the data matches, the sub television 131
To 133 (step C2).
From the matched data, it is checked whether the selected channel is a distribution channel (step C3), and if a distribution channel is selected (step C4), an operation priority is applied to another distribution channel. It is checked whether or not there is a record (step C5). If there is no record of application for the operation priority, an application for the operation priority is made in the same manner as in the first embodiment (step C6).

If there is a record for which the operation priority has been applied, it is determined that a distribution channel other than the distribution channel which has been viewed so far has been selected, and the operation priority has been applied as in the first embodiment. A request for abandonment of the operation priority for the distribution channel that has been made is made (step C7). continue,
An application for an operation priority is applied to the newly selected distribution channel in the same manner as in the first embodiment (step C6).

If the selected channel is other than the distribution channel (step C8), it is checked whether there is a record for requesting the operation priority (step C9). If there is a record for requesting the operation priority, it is determined that the viewing of the distribution channel which has been viewed until now has been stopped, and a request for abandonment of the operation priority is made as in the first embodiment (step C10). If there is no record, the process ends. If the data 3 and the data 4 do not match, the next remote control code data stored in the memory of the subunit control unit 24 is set (step C11), and the data comparison is continued. If the data does not match all the remote control code data stored in the memory of the subunit control unit 24 (step C12), the remote control code is determined as a remote control code other than the channel selection operation for the sub television,
As in the first embodiment, the received remote control code is transmitted to the main unit 10 (step C13).

[0046]

As described above, according to the present invention, the currently viewed AV device specifying means specifies the currently viewed AV device via a certain subunit. The viewing prohibition means other than the specific sub-unit prohibits viewing other than the specific sub-unit being viewed on the basis of the information on the specified specific viewing AV device. Therefore, only the currently watching user can control the currently viewed AV device, and the AV device contrary to the user's intention can be controlled.
There is no change or suspension of information.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a main unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a subunit in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a subunit in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a main unit in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of an ID unit used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a format of data transmitted from a sub unit to a main unit in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a subunit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a system configuration diagram of a conventional video distribution system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 Main unit 15 Main unit control unit 15a Specific viewing AV device information receiving unit 15b Viewing prohibition control unit other than specific subunit 15c Viewing prohibition release control unit 24 Subunit 24a Viewing AV device specification control unit 24b Specific viewing AV device information Generation unit 24c Viewing change information generation control unit 101-103 AV device 130, 131 TV 160, 161 Remote control

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5C025 AA25 BA08 BA21 BA27 CA01 CB05 CB10 DA05 DA08 5C056 BA01 BA02 BA06 BA08 CA06 CA13 DA06 DA11 EA05 EA11 EA12 5C064 BA01 BA07 BB05 BC06 BC16 BC20 BC23 BC27 BD01 BD02 BD07 BD08 BD08 BA03 BA04 BC11 BC17

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An AV device and a main unit for controlling the AV device are installed in one room, and a TV, a subunit for controlling the TV, and a remote controller are installed in another room, and an output of the AV device is provided. Is transmitted to the other room via the transmission line under the control of the main unit, and in the other room, any AV signal of the AV device is output to the television under the control of the subunit. In the video distribution system, the currently viewed AV device specifying means for specifying the currently viewed AV device via any of the subunits, and the specifically viewed AV device information specified by the currently viewed AV device specifying means. And a means for prohibiting viewing other than the specified sub-unit based on the specified sub-unit. Viewing control method that. 2. The sub-unit includes: a currently-viewing AV device identifying unit that identifies an currently-viewing AV device; and a currently-viewing AV device information generating unit that generates information of the AV device identified by the currently-viewing AV device identifying unit. Means, the main unit comprising: a specific viewing AV device information receiving unit that receives information generated by the specific viewing AV device information generating unit; and a specific viewing unit received by the specific viewing AV device information receiving unit. 2. The viewing control method in the video distribution system according to claim 1, further comprising a viewing prohibition unit other than the specific subunit that prohibits viewing other than the specific subunit being viewed based on the medium AV device information. 3. The currently viewed AV device specifying means compares the audio output of the sub television connected to the sub unit with the audio output delivered to the sub unit, and compares the audio output of the sub television with the audio output of the sub unit.
The viewing control method in the video distribution system according to claim 1, wherein a device is determined. 4. When the viewing prohibition means other than the specific subunit is activated and the viewing of the AV device being viewed by the specific subunit is stopped, the viewing prohibition by the viewing prohibition means other than the specific subunit is released. 4. The viewing control method in the video distribution system according to claim 1, further comprising a viewing prohibition canceling unit. 5. The AV device is a CS tuner, a DV
The viewing control method in the video distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the viewing control method is any one of D, a video tape recorder, an LD, and a video CD. 6. The viewing control method in a video distribution system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the AV devices are provided.