JP2002330413A - Communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to view/listen to a desired program at any time even when e.g. the user overlooks the program. SOLUTION: A CATV station 108 which a PC 123 or a phone 124 of a user's home 122 informs of a viewing/listening desired program and a terminal ID of a program supply terminal 127 installed at the user's home, informs a program management station 101 about the program, and receives the program data from a program database 106. Then the CATV station 108 uses a terminal ID of the program supply terminal at the user's home and transmits the program data to the user's home to allow a user to view/listen to the program data at the user's home. Furthermore, when the CATV station 108 is again requested about the same program, the program management station may store the program data encoded by an encoder 105 to a 1st storage means 104 in order to immediately provide the program data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication system for providing a program in response to a request from a user and enabling the user to view the program at a user's home.
(Cable television) system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, multi-channel television programs and diversification of services such as the Internet and telephone have been progressing, and communication systems such as a CATV system realizing these demands have begun to be widely used. In a conventional CATV system, a coaxial cable is often used as a transmission path (CATV network), and a CATV station modulates and multiplexes each program AV signal (program audiovisual signal) and transmits the modulated signal to the CATV network. On the other hand, at the user's house,
The program supply terminal demodulates the channel signal of the designated program, generates an output AV signal, and outputs the signal by an output unit such as a television.

[0003] The configuration of a conventional CATV system will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing one configuration example of a conventional communication system. A conventional communication system (CATV system) includes a device installed in a CATV station 201 (broadcasting station), a device installed in a user's home 206, and a connection between the CATV station 201 and the user's home 206. And a CATV network 205 for realizing communication between the user home 206. Note that FIG.
Although only one user's home 206 is described,
Usually, a plurality of user homes 206 can exist.

[0004] The CATV station 201 is provided with a CATV program supply device 202, a modulation unit 203, and a multiplexing unit 204. The CATV program supply device 202 is means for outputting a plurality of program AV signals corresponding to each of the plurality of programs. For this, for example, a VTR or a video server is used. The modulation unit 203 is a means for modulating each program AV signal to a determined channel frequency. Multiplexing section 204
Is means for multiplexing each program AV signal modulated by the modulator 203. Program AV multiplexed by multiplexing section 204
Signals are transmitted via CATV via a transmission path such as a coaxial cable.
The data is transmitted to the network 205 and the user's house 206.

On the other hand, an output means (television) 207, a recording means (VTR) 208, and a program supply terminal 209 are installed in the user's house 206. The television 207 is means for displaying and outputting the output AV signal output by the program supply terminal 209. The VTR 208 is means for recording the output AV signal output by the program supply terminal 209. The program supply terminal 209 extracts a program of a channel specified by the user with a remote controller of the television 207 from each program AV signal transmitted from the CATV station 201 to the CATV network 205, and outputs an output AV of the specified channel. It is a means for outputting a signal.

[0006] Further, the program supply terminal 209 includes a control unit 210, an AV output unit 211, and a demodulation unit 212. The control unit 210 receives the user's channel designation,
This is a means for designating a program AV signal to be extracted to the demodulation unit 212 and controlling the inside of the program supply terminal 209. The demodulation unit 212 sends a CAT signal from the CATV station 201 based on the channel designation from the control unit 210.
This is a means for extracting and demodulating a program AV signal of a designated channel from each program AV signal transmitted to the V network 205. The AV output unit 211 is a unit that converts the program AV signal demodulated by the demodulation unit 212 into an output AV signal format that can be output by an external device such as the television 207 and outputs the format.

Next, the operation of the above communication system will be described. First, at the CATV station 201, the CATV station
The program supply device 202 outputs a program AV signal of each channel according to a predetermined time schedule. Next, the modulator 203 modulates the plurality of program AV signals output from the CATV program supply device 202 into a time schedule and a channel frequency that matches each channel. Next, the multiplexing section 204 multiplexes each program AV signal modulated by the modulation section 203. The multiplexed program AV signal is transmitted to the CATV network 205 and the user's home 206 via a transmission path such as a coaxial cable.

Next, at the user home 206, the user designates a desired program channel to the program supply terminal 209 with reference to the time schedule. The designated channel information is registered in the control unit 210 in the program supply terminal 209. Further, in the program supply terminal 209, the demodulation unit 212, based on the channel designation from the control unit 210,
A program AV signal of a designated channel is extracted from each program AV signal transmitted from the CATV station 201 to the CATV network 205 and demodulated.

The AV output unit 211 performs processing such as processing the program AV signal demodulated by the demodulation unit 212 to the NTSC system and superimposing a carrier chrominance signal on a luminance signal, and converts the program AV signal into a predetermined output AV signal format. Convert and output. The television 207 displays and outputs the output AV signal output from the AV output unit 211, and the VTR 208 displays the output AV signal.
11 records the output AV signal. As described above, the user can view the program provided by the CATV station 201.

[0010] In addition to such a normal CATV system, recently, the CATV station 201 may periodically receive a request from a user and collect the total, and compose a time schedule according to the total. In this way, a program that reflects a request from a user is performed.

[0011]

However, in the conventional communication system, all programs to be provided to the user's house are predetermined by a time schedule.
The user views the program in real time by referring to the program table, or makes a scheduled recording with video to view the program. Therefore, if the user forgets to reserve a video or a program that he / she wants to view on a different channel at the same time is broadcast, the user will miss the program. In a normal broadcast, a program that the user does not want to watch is also broadcast, that is, there is a time when the user is not watching the program, and the program is not necessarily provided to the user efficiently. I can't say that.

[0012] Further, even if the CATV station periodically receives requests from users and counts them, and composes a time schedule in accordance with the counts, for example, programs with a small number of requests are not broadcasted. It is almost impossible in terms of time to construct a time schedule that reflects all requests from, and it is not possible to provide services that satisfy all users.

[0013] In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to enable a user to view a desired program at any time even if the user forgets to watch the program.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a program desired to be viewed and a terminal ID of a program supply terminal installed in the user's home are identified from a PC or telephone at the user's home. The notified CATV station notifies the program management station of the program information, and receives the program data from the program database. Then, the program data is transmitted to the user's house using the terminal ID of the program supply terminal at the user's house.

That is, according to the present invention, a program management station that manages program data, a broadcast station that distributes the program data, and a program supply terminal that has different terminal IDs and reproduces the program data Is a communication system comprising a plurality of user homes in which the program management station and the broadcasting station are connected, and the broadcasting station and the user home are connected by different communication networks. A management station, a program database storing the program data,
An encoder for converting the program data into a digital signal; and first transmitting means for transmitting digital program data encoded by the encoder to the broadcasting station, wherein the broadcasting station transmits the digital program data from the program management station to the broadcasting station. First receiving means for receiving data, and second transmitting means for transmitting the digital program data to the user's home,
The program supply terminal has second receiving means for receiving the digital program data from the broadcasting station, and reproducing means for decoding and reproducing the digital program data, wherein the broadcasting station is connected to the user home. From the user and the terminal ID of a program supply terminal installed in the user's home requesting the viewing from the program management station. Notifying program information, the program management station digitally converts the program data corresponding to the program information desired to be viewed from within the program database by the encoder, and transmits the digital data to the broadcast station by the first transmission unit, The broadcast station receives the digital program data converted into a digital signal by the first receiving means, and transmits the digital program data to the second
The transmitting means transmits the terminal ID to the user's home where the viewing is desired, and the user's home which desires the viewing receives the digital program data by the receiving means and reproduces the digital program data by the reproducing means. By doing so, a communication system is provided in which the program desired to be viewed can be viewed only at the user's house desired to view.

Further, it is a preferable aspect of the present invention that the program management station has a storage means for storing the digital program data digitized by the encoder.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A communication system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment according to the communication system of the present invention. The communication system according to the present invention includes an apparatus installed in the program management station 101, an apparatus installed in the CATV station (broadcasting station) 108, an apparatus installed in the user's home 122, and the program management station 101 and the CATV station 108. Communication network 10 that connects
7. A public network 120 and a CATV network 121 connecting the CATV station 108 and the user's home 122. In addition,
In FIG. 1, only one user home 122 is described, but usually there are a plurality of user homes 122 and a plurality of program management stations 101 can also exist.

The communication network 107 is, for example, a general public network, a dedicated line, a satellite line, and includes the program management station 101 and the CATV station 1.
08 is a communication network for exchanging image data, management data, and the like. In addition, the public network 120
Is a communication network for making a request for a program from the user's home 122 to the CATV station 108. Also, C
The ATV network 121 transmits a normal CATV program and transmits a CATV program.
A communication network for exchanging image data, management data, and the like between the TV station 108 and the program supply terminal 127, and may use communication using an optical fiber network in addition to a transmission path using a coaxial cable. .

The program management station 101 has a first request center 102, a first communication I / F 103, a first storage unit 104, an encoder 105, and a program database 106.
Is installed. The first request center 102
This is a means for receiving a program supply request from the TV station 108. The first communication I / F 103 is a communication network 107
Is an interface for exchanging image data and management data with the CATV station 108 using.

The first storage means 104 stores, for example, the data processing speed of the encoder 105 at the first communication I / F 1.
03, the data transmission speed to the communication network 107 is faster than the data transmission speed to the communication network 107. In order to absorb the difference between the data processing speed in the encoder 105 and the data transmission speed to the communication network 107, the format-converted program data is temporarily stored. Or a means for storing encoded program data in a file. The encoder 105 converts a program stored in the program database 106 into a CATV program.
This is a means for performing format conversion and compression of image data when supplying it to the station 108. Program database 106
Is means for storing video data which is the original data of a program provided to the user.

The CATV station 108 has a user / terminal management database 109 and a second request center 1.
10, second communication I / F 111, request program supply device 112, CATV program supply device 118, first multiplex /
A distribution unit 119 is provided. The user / terminal management database 109 is a means for accumulating management information of the user homes 122 and managing the program viewing status and charging of each user home 122. The second request center 110 is means for receiving a program supply request from the user's home 122. The second communication I / F 111 is an interface for exchanging image data and management data with the program management station 101 using the communication network 107.

The CATV program supply device 118 is the same as the conventional CATV program supply device 202 shown in FIG. 2, and is means for outputting a program AV signal corresponding to each of a plurality of programs based on a time schedule. The first multiplexing / distributing unit 119 superimposes each downlink signal, and connects the superimposed signal to the user home 1 connected via the CATV network 121.
This is means for transmitting to the 22 program supply terminals 127 and selecting and acquiring the upstream signal from the program supply terminal 127 at the user's home 122 from the superimposed waves on the CATV network 121.

Furthermore, the requested program supply device 1
Reference numeral 12 denotes a first control unit 113, an uplink demodulation unit 114, a recording management unit 115, a second storage unit 116, a downlink modulation unit 11
7 and has a function of storing the requested program data file received from the program management station 101 and transmitting it to the program supply terminal 127.

The first control unit 113 is a means for controlling each functional block of the request program supply device 112.
The uplink demodulation unit 114 is means for demodulating an uplink signal transmitted from the program supply terminal 127 at the user's home 122 via the CATV network 121. The recording management unit 115 manages the requested program data file information stored in the second storage unit 116. Second storage means 116
Is means for storing a requested program data file supplied from the program management station 101. Downlink modulator 117
Is means for modulating a downlink signal transmitted to the program supply terminal 127 at the user's home 122 via the CATV network 121.

In the user's home 122, a PC (personal computer) 123, a telephone set 124, an output unit (television) 125, a recording unit (VTR, video tape recorder) 126, and a program supply terminal 127 are installed. P
C123 is a CATV station 1 via the Internet or the like.
08 can be connected to the computer. Telephone 124
Is for the user to call the second request center 110 of the CATV station 108 and request a program to be viewed.

The television 125 is means for displaying and outputting an output AV signal output by the program supply terminal 127. V
TR 126 is the output A output by the program supply terminal 127.
This is a means for recording the V signal. The program supply terminal 127
From each program AV signal transmitted from the CATV station 108 to the CATV network 121, a program of a channel specified by the user with a remote controller or the like is extracted, and an output AV signal of the specified channel is output. This is a means for outputting the requested program data file stored in the storage means 130 as an output AV signal.

Further, the program supply terminal 127 includes a decoder 128, an AV output unit 129, and a third storage unit 13.
0, a second control unit 131, a downlink demodulation unit 132, and an uplink modulation unit 133. The decoder 128 is a unit for expanding the compressed AV data output from the third storage unit 130. The AV output unit 129 is means for converting a decoded digital AV signal into an analog AV signal and outputting the analog AV signal. The third storage unit 130 is a unit that stores request program data, which is a downlink signal from the CATV station 108.

The second control unit 131 controls the program supply terminal 12
7 is a means for controlling each functional block. The downstream demodulation unit 132 outputs the signal to the CATV station 108 via the CATV network 121.
It is means for demodulating the downlink signal transmitted from. The upstream modulation unit 133 transmits the signal to the CATV station 1 via the CATV network 121.
08 is a means for modulating an upstream signal to be transmitted. The second multiplexing / distributing section 134 superimposes an upstream signal on the CATV station 108 and sends it out onto the CATV network 121, or selects and acquires a downstream signal from the CATV station 108 from a superimposed wave on the CATV network 121. Or means.

Next, the operation of the communication system of the present invention will be described. In the communication system of the present invention, the CTV station 108
By receiving the program provided from the ATV program supply device 118 at the program supply terminal 127 and outputting it on the television 125, it is possible to view the program according to a normal time schedule.

On the other hand, the following operation allows the user to view a program different from the program provided according to the time schedule, for example, when the user forgets to view the program according to the time schedule. Becomes First, the user uses the PC 123 or the telephone 124,
A second request center 110 of the CATV station 108 is connected via a public network 120. In the case of connection by the PC 123, the user sends a terminal ID (user address, name, etc.) specifying the user home 122 to the second request center 110 via e-mail or a predetermined web page. It is also possible to specify the terminal ID at the CATV station by notifying such information as), and information such as the program name to be requested and, if the program name is unknown, program characteristics, broadcast station, broadcast time, etc. Hereinafter, it is referred to as desired viewing information.)
And send.

On the other hand, in the case of connection using the telephone set 124, the user notifies the operator of the second request center 110 of the terminal ID and the desired viewing information. Further, for example, when the program supply terminal 127 is provided with a modem or the like that can be connected to the public network 120,
If the uplink of the network 121 can be used, the terminal I is sent from the program supply terminal 127 to the second request center 110.
It is also possible to transmit D and the desired viewing information.

The second request center 110 specifies the program management station 101 which owns the program name and the program data by referring to the viewing desire information from the user, and accepts the request. At that time, the second request center 110
It is also possible to provide "request is being accepted" information in the data area for the user in the user / terminal management database 109.

Next, the second request center 110
A connection is made via a communication network 107 to a first request center 102 of a program management station 101 that owns requested program data as original data of a program received from a user. Notify program data. As this notification method, the operator can give a verbal message, or online data transmission using a computer is also possible.

The first request center 102 searches the program database 106 for requested program data, and instructs output of the requested program data. Upon receiving the instruction, the program database 106 outputs the requested program data to the encoder 105. At this time, the format of the requested program data may be based on a digital format currently used by the broadcasting station, or may be based on an analog signal.

The encoder 105 is a program database 1
Then, the request program data received from 06 is encoded and output to the first storage unit 104. Encoder 10
5 are, for example, MPEG1, MPE
G2 and other high-efficiency moving image coding processes. First
The storage means 104 stores the encoded requested program data received from the encoder 105 as a file, and simultaneously stores the encoded requested program data from the first communication I / F 103 to the communication network 1.
07, the second communication I / F 11 of the CATV station 108
1, the encoded requested program data being filed is transferred.

The transfer of the requested program data can be performed simultaneously with the encoding and filing, and after the encoding and filing of the entire requested program data is completed, the encoded requested program data is transmitted to the CATV station 108. Can also be transferred. Also, the first communication I / F 103 transmits the second communication I / F 103 to the second communication I / F 103.
For data transfer to F111, data transfer based on a general file transfer protocol can be used.

Even after the requested program data is transferred, the program data stored in the first storage means 104 is not deleted, and thereafter stored so that it can be used if the same request is made. Preferably. Also,
Further, it is preferable to create a table so that a list of program data stored in the first storage unit 104 can be referred to. Accordingly, when the same program is requested again, the program database 106 and the encoder 105 can omit the process of searching for and encoding the same program data again.
It is possible to transfer program data directly from the storage unit 104 of the program.

The second communication I / F 111 that has received the encoded requested program data sequentially outputs the received encoded program data to the first control unit 113 of the request program supply device 112. First control unit 113
Causes the received encoded program data to be stored in the second storage means 116. After the storage by the second storage unit 116 is completed, the first control unit 113 registers the file name of the encoded requested program data newly added to the second storage unit 116 in the recording management unit 115.

Next, the first control unit 113 obtains the terminal ID of the program supply terminal 127 of the user's home 122 from which the request was made, from the user / terminal database 109, and obtains the program supply terminal 127 having the terminal ID. Second control unit 1
The transfer notification information indicating that the encoded requested program data is to be transferred is transmitted to 31. At this time, for example, a file transfer control channel is provided on the down line of the CATV network 121, and the program supply terminal 12 of each user home 122 is provided.
7 always monitors the file transfer control channel and receives only the control data for the terminal ID of the own program supply terminal 127, so that the CATV station 108 It is possible to transmit the transfer notification information only to the program supply terminal 127 in the home 122.

The second control unit 131 of the program supply terminal 127 which has received the transfer notification information of the program file transmits the CATV station 1
08, response information notifying whether or not it is possible to receive the encoded requested program data. At this time, for example, a file transfer control channel is provided on the upstream line of the CATV network 121, and the request program supply device 112
Constantly monitors this file transfer control channel,
It is preferable to receive response information to the transfer notification information.

If the response information from the program supply terminal 127 is “receivable”, the request program supply device 112 of the CATV station 108 transmits an encoder to the program supply terminal 127 of the user home 122 based on a predetermined file transfer protocol. Transfer the completed requested program data. As a result, CA
The encoded requested program data stored in the second storage means 116 of the TV station 108 is stored in the user home 122.
Is copied to the third storage means 130.

In this case, the requested program supply device 1
The path of the downlink information such as the encoded request program data and the transfer notification information from the T.12 to the program supply terminal 127 is represented by a downlink modulation section 117 → a first multiplexing / distributing section 119 → C
The ATV network 121 → the second multiplexing / distributing unit 134 → the downlink demodulation unit 132, and conversely, the path of uplink information such as response information from the program supply terminal 127 to the request program supply device 112 is the uplink modulation unit 133 → second Multiplexing / distributing unit 134
→ CATV network 121 → first multiplexing / distributing section 119 → uplink demodulating section 114. The first multiplexing / distributing section 119
In the above, a process of multiplexing a program AV signal from the CATV program supply device 118 as a downlink channel and outputting the multiplexed signal to the CATV network 121 is also performed.

After the completion of the transfer of the encoded requested program data, the first control unit 113 of the requested program supply device 112 notifies the user / terminal database 109 of the end of the program file transfer. The user / terminal management database 109 performs a charging process for a user who has requested a program.

On the other hand, at the user's home 122, after the transfer of the encoded requested program data is completed, the program supply terminal 1
27, the second control unit 131 notifies that the reception of the program requested by the user has been completed and the user can view the requested program. The viewable notification is made, for example, by using the standby power of the program supply terminal 127 and using the liquid crystal or the L provided on the front of the program supply terminal 127.
The image can be displayed using an ED panel, or can be displayed on the screen of the television 125.

As described above, the program requested by the user is stored in the third storage means 130 of the program supply terminal 127, and the user can view the program.
Then, when the user instructs the program supply terminal 127 to reproduce the program by remote control operation or the like, the second control unit 131 that has received the instruction to reproduce the program transmits the encoded request program stored in the third storage unit 130. The data is output to the decoder 128 from the head of the data. The decoder 128 decodes the input encoded requested program data and outputs the decoded digital AV signal to the AV output unit 129. The AV output unit 129 converts the input digital AV signal into an analog signal,
By outputting the program to the television 125, the user can view the program, and the program can be analog-recorded using the VTR 126 or the like.

According to the present invention, in the invention according to the first aspect, even when the program supply terminal is not used, only the control unit for controlling the operation of the program supply terminal is operated, and When the station transmits the digital program data to the program supply terminal, by including a unique signal pattern in the downlink signal, the control unit of the program supply terminal recognized the unique signal pattern the unique signal pattern In this case, a communication system is provided in which the control unit activates each unit in the program supply terminal to receive the digital program data. Thus, even when the user is away, the CATV station can remotely activate the program supply terminal at each user's home and transfer the requested program to the program supply terminal. It is not necessary to perform the procedure of starting and receiving the supply of the requested program.

According to the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the digital program data existing inside the program supply terminal is encrypted and output to the outside of the program supply terminal. The communication system is characterized in that only the analog signal is an analog signal. As a result, it is impossible to illegally copy the program data transferred to the user's house, and the copyright can be protected.

According to the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when the broadcast station has completed the transmission of the digital program data from the broadcast station to the user's home,
There is provided a communication system including a payment unit for performing payment for viewing the digital program data. As a result, the CATV station can efficiently manage the charging of each user's home, accurately grasp the service usage status of each user's home, and use it for improving the service.

[0049] According to the present invention, in the invention according to the first aspect, when the program management station completes transmission of the digital program data from the broadcast station to the user's house, the program management station transmits the digital program data. A communication system comprising a settlement means for making a settlement for the viewing of the user. As a result, the program management station can efficiently perform charging management of each user's house.

According to the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the broadcasting station has a storage unit for storing the digital program data received by the first receiving unit. A system is provided. Thus, when a program stored in the HDD in the CATV station is requested, the CATV station can immediately provide a service to the user. Further, the program management station does not need to encode and transmit the program file again.

According to the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when the transmission of the digital program data from the broadcasting station to the user's home is completed, the transmission is completed to the user's home. A communication system is provided in which a notifying unit for notifying the user is provided at the user's house. This allows the user to know that the program supply from the CATV station has been completed.

According to the present invention, in the communication system according to the first aspect, the program management station encodes the program data in advance and stores the encoded program data in the program database. Provided. As a result, the program management station immediately converts the program file to CATV.
The program can be transferred to a station, and a program library managed by a computer can be constructed.

[0053]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The CATV station notified of the program desired to be viewed and the terminal ID of the program supply terminal installed at the user's home from the PC or telephone at the user's home is the terminal ID of the program supply terminal at the user's home.
Is used to transmit the program data stored in the storage means of the CATV station, so that the user can always watch the desired requested program regardless of the time schedule. Also, the transmission of program data in the CATV station is of a burst type, and a large number of requested programs can be transferred to each user's home with a small number of downlink transmission channels, so that the utilization efficiency of the equipment is improved. Also, since the program management station may encode the program supplied for each request, it is not necessary to encode all the program data in advance.

Further, according to the present invention, by providing a storage means for storing digital program data digitized by the encoder in the program management station, the same program can be requested again. In addition, the program management station does not need to spend a lot of time searching for the same program data and encoding it again.
Can be directly transferred from the storage means.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a communication system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a conventional CATV system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 Program Management Station 102 First Request Center 103 First Communication I / F 104 First Storage Unit 105 Encoder 106 Program Database 107 Communication Network 108, 201 CATV Station 109 User / Terminal Management Database 110 Second Request Center 111 second communication I / F 112 request program supply device 113 first control unit 114 uplink demodulation unit 115 recording management unit 116 second storage unit 117 downlink modulation unit 118, 202 CATV program supply device 119 first multiplex / Distribution unit 120 Public network 121, 205 CATV network 122, 206 User's house 123 PC 124 Telephone 125, 207 Television (output unit) 126, 208 VTR (recording unit) 127, 209 Program supply terminal 128 Decoder 129, 211 AV output unit 13 0 Third storage unit 131 Second control unit 132 Downlink demodulation unit 133 Uplink modulation unit 134 Second multiplexing / distribution unit 203 Modulation unit 204 Multiplexing unit 210 Control unit 212 Demodulation unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5C025 CA02 CB05 CB08 DA01 DA05 5C052 AB03 AB04 AC08 CC05 CC11 DD04 5C053 GB37 GB38 HA31 JA21 LA06 LA15 5C064 BA01 BB07 BC01 BC07 BC25 BD02 BD04 BD08

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A program management station for managing program data,
A broadcast station that distributes the program data; and a plurality of user homes each having a different terminal ID and provided with a program supply terminal that reproduces the program data. The program management station and the broadcast station A communication system in which the broadcast station and the user's home are connected by different communication networks, wherein the program management station includes: a program database storing the program data; and a digital signal converting the program data. An encoder; and first transmission means for transmitting digital program data encoded by the encoder to the broadcast station, wherein the broadcast station receives the digital program data from the program management station. Means for transmitting the digital program data to the user's home
The program supply terminal receives the digital program data from the broadcasting station.
Receiving means, and reproducing means for decoding and reproducing the digital program data, wherein the broadcast station has viewing desired program information indicating a program desired to be viewed from the user's house, and And obtains a terminal ID of a program supply terminal installed in the user's home, and notifies the program management station of the desired viewing program information. The program management station performs the viewing from the program database. The program data corresponding to the desired program information is converted into a digital signal by the encoder and transmitted to the broadcasting station by the first transmitting means. The broadcasting station converts the digital signalized digital program data to the first broadcast signal. And transmitting the digital program data to the user's home where the viewing is desired by the second transmitting means with the terminal ID as a destination. The user's home who wants to receive the digital program data by the receiving means and reproduces the digital program data by the reproducing means, so that the program desired to be viewed can be viewed only at the user's home desired to view. Communication system that becomes possible. 2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein said program management station has a storage unit for storing said digital program data digitized by said encoder.