JP2002374465A - Receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a receiver which can efficiently and automatically receive data broadcasts sent over a plurality of channels. SOLUTION: The receiving device 4 comprises a switching timing information management part 51 which manages switching timing information as information regarding the switching timing of a plurality of channels when the channels are switched to receive data, a channel determination part 52 which determines channels according to the switching timing information, a reception part 53 which receives the data over the channels determined by the channel determination part 52, and a storage part 54 which stores the data received by the reception part 53.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a receiving apparatus useful for efficiently receiving a data broadcast.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the recent development of communication technology,
As one of the forms of television broadcasting, BS digital broadcasting and CS digital broadcasting using satellites are gradually spreading.
It is generally known that these can enhance the quality of images and appropriately broadcast television programs to remote locations.

[0003]

By the way, recently, in these BS digital broadcasts and CS digital broadcasts, data broadcasts that are linked to or independent of the broadcast, for example, product detail data of a shopping mall, It has been studied to distribute content data such as video and music and forcibly accumulate CMs and the like that the broadcaster wants to show to the user. In order to receive such a data broadcast, it is conceivable to mount two tuners as a receiving device installed in a home or the like.

That is, one of the tuners is made to be the same as a normal television tuner, and is used to tune in to a program desired by the user and watch the program. On the other hand, the other tuner is set to a fixed channel in advance when installing the receiving device, so that the user cannot change the channel. Forcibly accumulating the content of the received data broadcast on a specific hard disk is considered as one method.

However, when the amount of data broadcasting to be forcibly stored increases and the number of channels increases accordingly, it is necessary to control which channel is tuned to a tuner and what kind of data broadcasting is forcibly stored. Is required, and it is desired that the receiving device be provided with such a control function.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and useful receiving apparatus suitable for such use.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention takes the following measures.

First, in order to receive data by switching a plurality of channels, a receiving apparatus is provided with a switching timing information management unit for managing switching timing information which is information relating to switching timings of a plurality of channels, and It comprises a channel determining section for determining a channel, a receiving section for receiving data of the channel determined by the channel determining section, and a storage section for storing data received by the receiving section.

With this configuration, the channel switching timing can be scheduled through the switching timing information management unit and the channel determination unit. Therefore, even if there are a plurality of data broadcast channels, the channel switching is performed according to the predetermined timing. Automatic switching can be accurately performed.

[0010] In order to efficiently select data broadcasts and fetch and update only necessary ones, it is effective to employ a receiving device having the following configuration. That is, the receiving apparatus includes a data identifier for identifying data (for example, a content of data such as a commercial identified by a category) and an attribute of data (for example,
A data record management unit that manages at least one data record having a data attribute value indicating a data attribute such as an update time, a version, and operation information and a channel identifier (for example, one channel, two channels, etc.) for identifying a channel; A content storage unit that stores content information having a pair of a data identifier and a data attribute value, a data identifier acquisition unit that acquires a data identifier of a data record managed by the data record management unit, and a data identifier acquisition unit. A data attribute value acquisition unit that acquires a data attribute value paired with the same data identifier as the acquired data identifier from the content storage unit,
From the data attribute value paired with the data identifier acquired by the data identifier acquisition unit and the data attribute value acquired by the data attribute value acquisition unit, to determine whether or not to receive the data identified by the data identifier. And a receiving unit for receiving data from a channel identified by a channel identifier paired with the data identifier when the determination in the determining unit is a determination to be received. is there.

The term "data record" as used herein means a data record including a channel identifier, a data identifier, and the like, and these data are associated with each other, and have a data format (record (line) in a relational database, link structure, etc.). And so on) (hereinafter the same).

That is, according to this configuration, when the storage control information having the data record structure including the data identifier, the data attribute value, and the channel identifier is received by the data record management unit, the receiving device controls the control. The information is collated with the content information stored in the content storage unit, which is a pair of data, a data identifier, and a data attribute value. Specifically, the data identifier acquisition unit acquires the data identifier in the storage control information, and the data attribute value acquisition unit acquires and determines the data attribute value paired with the same data identifier as the data identifier from the content storage unit. The comparison of the data attribute value in the storage unit with the data attribute value in the accumulation control information is sequentially performed. Then, when the determination unit determines that the data is to be received, the reception unit receives data from the channel identified by the channel identifier in the accumulation control information.

Therefore, the data attribute value indicates that, of the storage control information having a common data identifier, the corresponding data is data to be received (updated) in accordance with a predetermined algorithm compared to existing data. In such a case, the receiving device actually receives the data through the receiving unit, and does not receive the data unless necessary.

In a case where the data attribute value included in the data record includes time zone information that is information on a time zone in which data can be received, the time zone information of two or more data determined to be received by the determining unit is provided. If the time zones of receiving two or more data overlap from each other, that is, if the data broadcast to be updated competes with a plurality of channels at the same time, the decision unit receives the one data as follows. It is effective that the receiving unit receives the data from the channel identified by the channel identifier paired with the data identifier identifying the one data determined by the determining unit.

First, the data attribute value of the content information includes update time information, which is information relating to the update date and time of the data, and the determining unit determines one of the two or more data based on the update time information. There is a configuration for determining that data is to be received. For example, there is a mode in which updating is performed preferentially with the latest update time, or a mode in which priority is given to updating with the latest update time.

Further, the data attribute value included in the content information includes version information which is information relating to the version of the data, and the determination unit receives one data based on the version information of the two or more data. There is a configuration that determines to do so. For example, there is a mode in which the older version is updated preferentially, or a newer version is preferentially updated.

Further, the data attribute value included in the content information includes operation information which is information relating to an operation on the data, and the determining unit receives one data based on the operation information of the two or more data. There is a configuration that determines to do so. For example, there is a mode in which the operated one is prioritized for updating, or an unoperated one is preferentially updated.

One of the operation information in this case is whether or not the data has been output, for example, whether or not the data has already been viewed,
Alternatively, the information may be information for determining whether or not the user has heard. At this time, when the determination unit determines to receive one data, it is preferable to determine to receive data of a channel corresponding to the output data.

Another example of the operation information is information relating to the data output time, for example, information which can be used to compare whether the output time is long or short.

In a case where the data attribute value of the data record includes time zone information which is information on a time zone in which data can be received, the time zone information of two or more data determined to be received by the determining unit is provided. Another mode in which the determining unit determines that one data is received when the time zones in which two or more data are received overlaps with each other is an electronic shopping using data as a data attribute value of the content information. The shopping operation information which is information on the operation to be performed is included, and it is determined that one piece of data is to be received based on the shopping operation information. The operation information includes, for example, the number of shopping at the mall, the amount and other shopping information,
A mode such as giving priority to a channel broadcasting a mall that has purchased a lot can be taken.

On the other hand, when the storage control information is received, if the data attribute includes station information which is information transmitted from the station, the following configuration is also effective. That is,
The receiving apparatus includes a receiving unit that receives one or more data records having a data identifier, a data attribute value, and a channel identifier, and includes information on a time zone in which data can be received in the data attribute value of the data record. And a time slot information, a channel identifier selecting unit for selecting a channel identifier based on the data attribute value of the data record, and data from a channel selected by the channel identifier selected by the channel identifier selecting unit. It has a data receiving unit for receiving.

With this configuration, when the receiving unit receives the storage control information from the station having the data record structure of the data identifier, the data attribute value, and the channel identifier,
The channel identifier selecting unit selects a channel identifier based on the time zone information included in the data attribute value, and the data receiving unit receives data from the channel selected by the channel identifier. Therefore, if the data identifier is provided with an identification function indicating that the data is compulsory stored data separated from the internal content information or the like, the station information can be reliably received.

A specific example of the data attribute value is information indicating the importance of the data identified by the data identifier. On the basis of such information, it is possible to perform control such as taking in important data with priority and updating the data on the station side.

Further, in the case where the same content such as only malls and commercials that are always upgraded on the same channel is broadcast, in order to efficiently select channels and update data, the following is required. It is effective to employ a receiving device having such a configuration. That is, the receiving apparatus includes: a data record management unit that manages one or more data records having a data identifier and a channel identifier; a content storage unit that stores content information having a pair of data, a data identifier, and a data attribute value; A data identifier acquisition unit for acquiring a data identifier of a data record managed by a data record management unit; and a data attribute value paired with a data identifier identical to the data identifier acquired by the data identifier acquisition unit. A data attribute value acquisition unit that acquires from the data attribute value acquisition unit, a determination unit that determines whether to receive data identified by the data identifier from the data attribute value acquired by the data attribute value acquisition unit, If the decision is to receive, the channel identifier paired with the data identifier It is those composed of a receiving unit that receives data from the channel identified by the child.

In other words, according to this configuration, when the data record management unit manages a data record having a data identifier and a channel identifier obtained from, for example, broadcast, communication, or a medium, the receiving apparatus stores the content in the data storage. Based on the data attribute value of the content information stored in the section, which of the distributed data is to be received by the receiving section is determined.

For example, when data of the same category is distributed by a plurality of channels, the data record includes, for example, a data identifier having a higher data identifier (such as mall “M” or commercial “C”). And the lower identifier (for example, in the category of the same electronic mall, "M1", "M2", " M3 "or the like, which identifies the program content for each channel). The “hierarchy” mentioned here means the degree of association, and does not mean the data structure itself.

[0027] The receiving device acquires the data identifier by the data identifier acquiring unit, and forms a pair with the same data identifier (higher order data identifier for identifying a category) from the content storage unit by the data attribute value acquiring unit. The acquisition of the data attribute value and the determination of the data to be received from the data attribute value by the determination unit, that is, the determination of which data to receive among the data having the same data identifier (upper data identifier) are sequentially performed. When the data to be received is determined by the determining unit, the receiving unit receives the data from the channel identified by the channel identifier managed by the data record management unit. That is, if the receiving apparatus is configured as described above, it becomes possible to automatically switch channels and receive data broadcasting based on the already stored content information.

For example, even when a series of related contents is always broadcast on the same channel, depending on the contents of the information included in the data attribute value of the contents information stored in the contents storage unit, As described below, the determining unit determines to receive one data, and the receiving unit determines from the channel identified by the channel identifier paired with the data identifier identifying the one data determined by the determining unit. An example of receiving data is given.

First, the data attribute value of the content information includes update time information, which is information on the data update date and time, and the decision unit receives a piece of data based on the update time information. There is a configuration to be determined. For example, there is a mode in which the oldest data at the latest update time is updated, or a mode in which the data at the latest update time is updated.

[0030] Further, the data attribute value included in the content information may include information about a data version, and the determination unit may determine that one piece of data is to be received based on the version information. For example, there is a mode in which the oldest version is prioritized for updating, or a mode in which the newest version is prioritized for updating.

Further, a configuration in which operation information which is information relating to an operation on data is included in a data attribute value of the content information, and the determination section determines that one piece of data is to be received based on the operation information. Is mentioned. For example, there is a mode in which the operated one is preferentially updated, or an unoperated one is preferentially updated.
In this case, the operation information is information for determining whether or not data has been output, information about the length of data output time, and use of data for a data attribute value of the content information. Information that is shopping operation information that is information related to the electronic shopping operation that has been performed. Then, what information should be given priority in each piece of information may be determined, and the data may be updated.

[0032]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The receiving apparatus 4 according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes a BS digital broadcast transmitted from a broadcast station 1 via a satellite 2,
It is for receiving a CS digital broadcast or the like at home or the like. In addition to the tuner 3 having a function of receiving a normal program broadcast, the tuner 3 is for automatically and efficiently receiving another data broadcast transmitted from a broadcast station. A receiving apparatus main body 40 having a receiving function according to the present invention is provided.

The tuner 3 is provided with a normal television tuning function. The tuner 3 can tune to a program desired by the user and can view the program through display means 30 such as a television or a monitor.

On the other hand, the receiving device main body 40 includes a CPU 41,
The computer system mainly includes a computer system including a memory 42, an external storage device 43, a tuner 44, and the like. The computer system is connected to a data broadcast transmission path (whether wired or wireless) via the tuner 44, and Programs and data to be executed through the CPU 41 are stored in the external storage device 42 and the external storage device 43. Then, they cooperate to form a switching timing information management unit 5 described later.
1, a channel determination unit 52, a reception unit 53, a storage unit 54,
Data record management unit 61, content storage unit 62, data identifier acquisition unit 63, data attribute value acquisition unit 64, determination unit 65, reception units 66 and 70, channel identifier selection unit 7
1. It plays a role as a data receiving unit 72. Of course, if a function equivalent to this is achieved, it is also possible to partially or entirely substitute another hardware resource, for example, to provide a dedicated tuning circuit in a part.
Such a function may be incorporated in the receiving device main body 40 in a hardware manner, or necessary applications and data may be downloaded through a telecommunication line such as the Internet, received by broadcasting, or recorded by a computer. You may make it take in through a medium.

FIG. 2 shows a functional configuration when the receiving device 4 functions as the receiving device according to claim 1 for automatically receiving data by switching a plurality of channels. It comprises a determination unit 52, a reception unit 53, and a storage unit 54.

The switching timing information management section 51 manages switching timing information which is information relating to switching timings of a plurality of channels. For example, the switching timing information is periodically checked.

The channel determining section 52 determines a channel according to the switching timing information. FIG. 3 exemplifies the relationship between the switching timing and the channel setting when performing the automatic switching of the channel. The time is set in the column direction and the channel (e1, e2, e3) is set in the row direction. The channel to be determined under the link is stored in a map format or the like.

The receiving section 53 includes the channel determining section 52
This is for receiving the data of the channel determined in the above, and can basically take in the data through the same tuning function as the ordinary tuner 3. Then, the stored data is stored in the storage unit 54. The storage unit 54 includes, for example, the memory 42, the external storage device 43, and a software driver for performing a recording operation on these. The recording device or recording unit may be of any type, such as a volatile device such as a hard disk drive or a nonvolatile device such as a ram.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a procedure for taking in data by the above-mentioned functional configuration. When a switching timing signal is generated (step S1), a channel is determined (step S2), and the data is thereby determined. Are automatically received (step S3), and the storage unit 54 stores data (step S4). The stored data is forcibly displayed on the display means 30 in accordance with a predetermined program, or is used for arbitrary extraction and viewing through operation by a user.

Therefore, the switching timing information management unit 5
1 and a channel switching timing can be scheduled through the channel determination unit 52, and even if there are a plurality of data broadcast channels, automatic channel switching can be accurately performed in accordance with a predetermined timing.

On the other hand, FIG. 5 shows a functional configuration when the receiving apparatus 4 functions as a receiving apparatus according to claims 2 to 9 in which the receiving apparatus 4 efficiently selects data broadcasts, takes in only necessary ones and updates them. , A data record management unit 61, a content storage unit 62, a data identifier acquisition unit 63, a data attribute value acquisition unit 64, a determination unit 65, and a reception unit 66.

The data record management unit 61 manages one or more data records included in the storage control information when receiving the storage control information sent prior to the actual data broadcast. As exemplified in FIG. 6, a data identifier for identifying data (for example,
The data content such as mall “M” or commercial “C” is identified by category), and the attribute value of the data (for example, a data attribute such as update time, version, operation information, and importance) is shown. It has at least a data attribute value (α, β, γ, etc.) and a channel identifier (eg, e1, e2, e3, etc.) for identifying a channel.

The content storage section 62 has already stored content information, and this content information includes at least the same data identifiers (M, C, etc.) and data as described above in FIG. Attribute values (α, β,
γ), and data (data storage location).

The data identifier acquisition unit 63 acquires a data identifier of a data record managed by the data record management unit 61, and the data attribute value acquisition unit 64 acquires a data attribute value based on the data identifier acquired by the data identifier acquisition unit 63. A data attribute value paired with the same data identifier (hereinafter, referred to as “stored data attribute value”) is acquired from the content storage unit 62.

The deciding unit 65 includes the data identifier acquiring unit 6
3 and the stored data attribute value acquired by the data attribute value acquisition unit 63, and identifies the data attribute value with the data identifier acquired in step 3 above. Is to be received. At that time, the two data attribute values are compared to determine whether the stored data attribute value has a relatively new update date, the stored data attribute value and the version of the received data attribute value that are the same, The processing is performed according to an appropriate algorithm such as not receiving a low-importance data attribute value among the reception target data attribute values. After the determination, an appropriate reception command or the like is issued from the determination unit 65 to the reception unit 66.

Then, the data received through the receiving section 66 is stored in the content storage section 62. The time schedule to be received by the receiving unit 66 can be managed and executed by the functional configuration shown in FIGS.

FIG. 8 shows one procedure performed by the receiving apparatus when the data record management unit 61 receives storage control information having a data record structure including a data identifier, a data attribute value, and a channel identifier. This is shown in a flowchart. First, when the receiving device 4 receives the storage control information (step S11), it checks against the content information stored in the content storage unit 62, which is a pair of data, a data identifier, and a stored data attribute value. Specifically, the data identifier acquisition unit 63 acquires the data identifier in the storage control information (step S12), and the data attribute value acquisition unit 64 pairs with the same data identifier as the data identifier from the content storage unit 62. Acquisition of the stored data attribute value (step S13), and comparison between the stored data attribute value and the reception target data attribute value in the accumulation control information in the determination unit 65 are sequentially performed (step S14). Then, it is determined whether or not to receive (step S1).
5) After determining that the data is to be received, the receiving unit 66 receives data from the channel (for example, e2) identified by the channel identifier in the storage control information (step S1).
6).

Therefore, among the accumulation control information having a common data identifier, it is determined that the corresponding data is data to be received (updated) according to a predetermined algorithm compared to the stored data. Indicates that the receiving device actually receives the data, and does not receive the data if it is not necessary.

For this reason, it is possible to fetch and update only necessary data accurately and efficiently according to the purpose and application, instead of updating the data casually. It will be useful in effectively achieving the purpose of broadcasting.

By the way, when the data attribute value (see FIG. 6) of the data to be received included in the data record includes time zone information which is information on a time zone in which data can be received, the determining unit 65 should receive the data. The case where the time zones for receiving two or more data overlap from the determined time zone information of two or more data, that is, the case where the data broadcast to be updated competes on a plurality of channels at the same time is assumed. In preparation for the case, it is effective to interpose a routine SR for determining from which channel the data broadcast is to be received between steps S15 and S16 in the procedure of FIG.

If this routine SR is described as having a function of updating the oldest update date and time in priority, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, a dummy update date and time (for example, FF...) It is set in a register (step S21). The count value i is set in the C register, and the initial count value is set to i = 1 (step S2).
2). Then, whether or not there is the i-th data is searched (step S23). A data identifier included in the content information stored in the content storage unit 62 may be used as a data number in this case, or a different data number may be added. If YES is determined in the step S23, the i-th data pair is extracted (step S24), and further the update time is extracted from the pair (step S25). The extracted update time is
For example, it is stored in a Y register. Then, based on the contents of the X register and the contents of the Y register, it is determined whether or not the newly extracted update time is older than the update time previously held by the X register (step S2).
6) In the case of YES, the update time of the Y register is set as the update time of the X register (step S27), and in the case of NO, X
The update time of the register is held as it is. Then, the count value is incremented (step S28), and the process returns to the step before step S23. As long as the i-th data exists, the procedure of steps S23 to S28 is repeated.
Return to before. At this time, data identified by a data identifier including the update time stored in the X register as data attribute information is determined as data to be received,
In step S16, the data is received from the corresponding channel.

When the update is performed with priority given to the later update time, a dummy update date and time (00...) Is initially set,
The reverse decision is made in step S26 to leave the new update time in the X register.

The update time information may be replaced with information on the version of the data included in the received data attribute value of the content information. In this case, the determination unit 65 determines to receive one data based on the version information of the two or more data. The procedure follows the flowchart of FIG.
If the older version is prioritized for updating, the judgment in step S26 is to leave the old version in the X register. Conversely, if the newer version is prioritized for updating, the judgment in step S26 is that the X register is newer. It is a decision to keep the version.

Further, data operation information may be included in the received data attribute value of the content information, and the update time information may be replaced with the operation information. In this case, the determination unit 65 determines to receive one data based on the operation information of the two or more data. For this purpose, every time the viewer performs an operation such as taking out and viewing data, the content storage unit 62 is configured to be able to acquire operation information (for example, the number of operations) as a part of the content information. The procedure conforms to the flowchart of FIG. 9. If the operation has been performed with higher priority, the determination in step S26 is to leave data with a large number of operations in the X register. On the other hand, when the data is updated, the determination in step S26 is to leave data with a small number of operations in the X register.

If it is determined that the channel corresponding to the output data that has been output more times through the operation is received, the update of the non-output one is delayed as much as possible, and the output one is updated one after another. Thus, the audience rating is improved over the entire data.

Another example of the operation information is information relating to the data output time, for example, information which can be used to compare whether the output time is long or short. For example, a mode in which the output time is long is given priority, and a mode in which the output time is short is given priority. For that purpose, the content storage section 62 may acquire the output time as operation information at the stage when one operation is completed.

Further, in the case where the system is connected to the Internet and online shopping can be performed by clicking on a certain product based on the received data, for example, the received data attribute value included in the content information is electronically added. Each time a shopping operation is performed, shopping operation information that is information related to the shopping may be acquired, and the update time information in FIG. 9 may be executed instead of the shopping operation information. In this case, the determination unit 65 determines to receive one data based on the shopping information of the two or more data. Specifically, the number of times of shopping and the amount of money at the mall are compared, and the channel is switched to a channel that broadcasts the mall with the larger number of times or amount.

On the other hand, when the storage control information is received, if the data attribute includes station information sent from the station, it is also effective to adopt a functional configuration as shown in FIG. 10 in order to forcibly store the information. It is.

That is, the receiving apparatus includes a receiving unit 70 that receives one or more data records having a data identifier, a data attribute value, and a channel identifier, and the data attribute value of the data record includes data. A channel identifier selecting unit that selects a channel identifier based on a data attribute value of the data record when the information includes time zone information that is information on a receivable time zone; and a channel identifier selected by the channel identifier selecting unit. And a data receiving unit 72 for receiving data from the channel selected in the above.

With this configuration, when the receiving unit 70 receives the storage control information from the station having the data record structure of the data identifier, the data attribute value, and the channel identifier, the channel identifier selecting unit 71 includes the data identifier value in the data attribute value. Based on the time zone information, the channel identifier is selected when the time zone is reached, and the data receiving section 72 receives data based on the channel information selected by the channel identifier. Therefore, it is possible to forcibly receive station information such as emergency information that requires an interruption irrespective of internal content information or the like.

In this case, it is effective to provide the data attribute value with information indicating the importance of the data identified by the data identifier. Based on such information, important data can be imported preferentially and content information can be updated, so that control such as giving priority to channels corresponding to data with high commercial charges is effective at the station side. It is possible to do.

It is also conceivable that related contents of a series that is always upgraded are broadcast on the same channel. FIG. 11 shows a case where, when data broadcasting of the same category is distributed by a plurality of channels, the data broadcasting is efficiently selected, and only necessary ones are fetched and updated to function as the receiving device 5 of claim It shows the functional configuration of
A data record management unit 81, a content storage unit 82, a data identifier acquisition unit 83, a data attribute value acquisition unit 84, a determination unit 85, and a reception unit 86 are provided.

The data record management section 81 manages one or more data records having data identifiers and channel identifiers obtained from broadcast, communication, media, and the like. In this embodiment, the data identifier is
As illustrated in FIG. 12, an upper data identifier (for example, mall “M”) that identifies the content of data by category
And a commercial "C") and a lower data identifier (M
1, M2, M3, C1, C2, etc.). The meaning of the two-stage structure is as described above.

The content storage section 82 is where the content information already taken in is stored. The content information is composed of the same field items as the content information stored in the content storage unit 62 of the receiving device 4 illustrated in FIG. 7, but the data identifier is higher than the data identifier (M, C, etc.). And the lower data identifier (M
1, M2, M3, C1, C2, etc.).

The data identifier acquiring section 83 acquires the data identifier of the data record managed by the data record managing section 71, and the data attribute value acquiring section 84 reads the data identifier of the data identifier acquired by the data identifier acquiring section 83. Based on the upper data identifier, a data attribute value paired with the same data identifier (hereinafter, referred to as “stored data attribute value”) is acquired from the content storage unit 82.

The determining unit 75 is paired with the upper data identifier (for example, M) based on the stored data attribute value acquired by the attribute value acquiring unit 83, and further lower order data identifier (M). For example, it is determined whether or not data identified by M1, M2, M3) should be received. At this time, the content information of the same category stored in the content storage unit 82 is determined by determining whether the data attribute value has the oldest update date, the latest version, or the output version. This is performed according to an appropriate algorithm such as receiving data having the same lower data identifier.

FIG. 13 shows that the data record management unit 71
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing one procedure performed by the receiving device when a data record having a data identifier and a channel identifier is managed. First, the receiving device 5 determines data to be received based on the content information, which is a pair of data, a data identifier, and a stored data attribute value stored in the content storage unit 82. More specifically, how the content information is based on the content identifier is acquired by the data identifier acquisition unit 83 from the data management unit (step S31), and the data attribute value is acquired. Part 84
Of the stored data attribute value paired with the same data identifier as the data identifier higher than the data identifier from the content storage unit 82 (step S32), and the decision unit 7
5. Comparison of stored data attribute values in step 5 (step S3)
Step 3) is performed sequentially. Then, based on the comparison of the stored data attribute values, it is determined that one data is to be received (step S34). When one data to be received is determined, the receiving unit 86 is managed by the data managing unit. Data is received from a channel (eg, e3) identified by a channel identifier paired with a lower data identifier (eg, M2) (step S35).

Various comparisons of the stored data attribute values in step S33 are conceivable, and the following modified examples similar to the receiving devices of claims 3 to 9 with respect to claim 2 above are conceivable.

For example, comparing update time information, which is information relating to the update date and time of the data included in the data attribute value, may be mentioned. The update time information can be, for example, the time when data is acquired or written for updating. In this case, for example, a mode in which the oldest data at the latest update time is updated, or a mode in which the data at the latest update time is updated is used. Then, it switches to the channel corresponding to the one data determined to be received by the determining unit 85 and receives the data.

The update time information may be replaced with information on the version of the data included in the received data attribute value of the content information. This version information is received together with the data, and is recorded, for example, when the received data is stored in the content storage unit 62. In this case, the determination unit 85 determines that one piece of data is to be received based on the version information. For example, updating the oldest version,
Alternatively, the latest version may be updated.

The received data attribute value of the content information may include data operation information, and the update time information may be replaced with the operation information. Each time the viewer extracts and views the content information, the operation information counts and stores the number of times and the viewing time. The number of operations can be measured by acquiring a command operated by the user, and the viewing time can be measured by monitoring the state of the receiving device. These are all known technologies. In this case, the deciding unit 85 decides to receive one data based on the operation information of the data. For example, a mode in which an already operated one is updated, or an unoperated one is updated is used.

Further, the received data attribute value of the content information may include shopping operation information which is information relating to an operation of electronic shopping using data, and the update time information may be replaced with the shopping operation information. . In this case, the deciding unit 85 decides to receive one data based on the shopping information of the data. The shopping information includes, for example, shopping information such as the number of times of shopping at a mall and the amount. For example, priority is given to updating data that is purchased a lot through online shopping.

The specific configuration of each section is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For example, as an example of receiving a data broadcast through the configuration of FIG. 11, in the above description, a data identifier having a two-stage structure is used when data broadcasting of the same mall relationship or the same commercial relationship flows through a plurality of channels. The data can be identified and determined.
Of course, it can also be used to determine which data to receive when a mall-related data broadcast and a commercial-related data broadcast flow simultaneously. And
In this case, it is not necessary to arrange the data identifier in the above hierarchical structure.

For example, the function of the tuner 3 shown in FIG. 1 can be integrated into the main body 40 of the receiving apparatus so as to be configured as shown in FIG.

Further, if the functions of the above-mentioned apparatus are handled in the form of a computer-readable program or a medium, it is possible to spread or upgrade the present receiving apparatus very easily.

[0078]

According to the present invention having the above-described structure, when a data broadcast is performed over a plurality of channels, it is possible to automatically determine which data broadcast is forcibly stored by matching a tuner to which channel. It is possible to provide a receiving device that can automatically determine a channel and automatically receive a channel.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a state where an embodiment of the present invention is applied to BS digital broadcasting.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the receiving apparatus according to claim 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a relationship between switching timing and channel setting when performing automatic channel switching in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing executed by the functional configuration of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a receiving apparatus according to claim 2;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the contents of accumulation control information received by the receiving device of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing contents of content information stored in the receiving device of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing executed by the functional configuration of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure for assisting the processing in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a receiving apparatus according to claim 10;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a receiving apparatus according to claims 12 to 18;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the contents of a data code managed by the receiving device of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing executed by the functional configuration of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a modification of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 4 ... Receiving device 5 ... Receiving device 51 ... Switching timing information management part 52 ... Channel setting part 53 ... Receiving part 54 ... Storage part 61 ... Data record management part 62 ... Content storage part 63 ... Data identifier acquisition part 64 ... Data attribute value Acquisition unit 65 determination unit 66 reception unit 70 reception unit 71 channel identifier selection unit 72 data reception unit 81 data record management unit 82 content storage unit 83 data identifier acquisition unit 84 data attribute value acquisition unit 85 … Determining unit 86… Receiving unit

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) H04H 1/00 H04H 1/00 C H04N 5/76 H04N 5/76 Z 5/765 7/08 Z 7/08 5 / 91 L 7/081 F term (reference) 5C025 AA23 BA14 BA25 BA27 BA30 DA05 5C052 AB04 CC01 DD10 EE10 5C053 FA20 GB01 KA04 LA06 5C063 AA01 AB03 AB07 AC01 AC10 CA23 CA29 DA07 DA13 DB10 5K061 BB07 BB06 JJ06 JJ07

Claims (22)

[Claims] 1. A receiving apparatus for receiving data by switching a plurality of channels, comprising: a switching timing information management unit that manages switching timing information that is information on switching timings of a plurality of channels; A receiving device comprising: a channel determining unit that determines a channel; a receiving unit that receives data of the channel determined by the channel determining unit; and a storage unit that stores the data received by the receiving unit. 2. A data record management unit for managing at least one data record having a data identifier for identifying data, a data attribute value indicating an attribute of the data, and a channel identifier for identifying a channel, a data, a data identifier, and a data attribute value. A content storage unit that stores content information having a pair, a data identifier acquisition unit that acquires a data identifier of a data record managed by the data record management unit, and a data identifier that is the same as the data identifier acquired by the data identifier acquisition unit. A data attribute value acquisition unit that acquires a data attribute value paired with a data identifier from the content storage unit; and a data attribute value paired with the data identifier acquired by the data identifier acquisition unit and the data attribute value acquisition unit. Receives the data identified by the data identifier from the acquired data attribute value A decision unit for deciding whether or not to receive, and when the decision by the decision unit is a decision to receive, receiving a data from a channel identified by a channel identifier paired with the data identifier. A receiving device comprising: 3. A data attribute value included in the data record includes time zone information that is information on a time zone in which data can be received, and the data attribute value included in the content information has update time information that is information on data update date and time. When the time zone for receiving two or more data overlaps from the time zone information of two or more data determined to be received by the determination unit, the determination unit updates the two or more data. Based on the time information, it is determined that one piece of data is to be received, and the receiving unit determines data from the channel identified by the channel identifier paired with the data identifier that identifies the one piece of data determined by the determining unit. 3. The receiving device according to claim 2, wherein the receiving device receives the signal. 4. A data attribute value included in the data record includes time information that is information on a time zone in which data can be received, and a data attribute value included in the content information includes version information that is information regarding a version of data. When the time zone for receiving two or more data overlaps with the time zone information for two or more data determined to be received by the determining unit, the determining unit determines based on the version information of the two or more data. Determining that one data is to be received, and that the receiving unit receives data from a channel identified by a channel identifier paired with a data identifier identifying the one data determined by the determining unit. 3. The receiving device according to claim 2, wherein: 5. A data attribute value included in the data record includes time zone information which is information on a time zone in which data can be received, and a data attribute value included in the content information includes operation information which is information regarding an operation on data. When the time zone for receiving two or more data overlaps from the time zone information for two or more data determined to be received by the determining unit, the determining unit determines the operation information of the two or more data. Determining that one data is to be received, and receiving the data from a channel identified by a channel identifier paired with a data identifier identifying the one data determined by the determining unit. The receiving device according to claim 2, wherein: 6. The receiving apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the operation information is information for determining whether or not data has been output. 7. When the decision unit decides to receive one piece of data, the data is received from a channel identified by a channel identifier paired with a data identifier for identifying the data determined to have been output. The receiving device according to claim 6, wherein the receiving device determines to do so. 8. The receiving apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the operation information is information on a data output time. 9. A data attribute value included in the data record includes time zone information which is information regarding a time zone in which data can be received, and information relating to an operation of performing an electronic shopping using data in the data attribute value included in the content information. If the time zone for receiving two or more data overlaps with the time zone information for two or more data that the determining unit has determined to be received, the determining unit determines the two or more Based on the shopping operation information of the data, it is determined that one data is to be received, and the receiving unit is identified by the channel identifier paired with the data identifier identifying the one data determined by the determining unit. 3. The receiving apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the receiving apparatus receives data from a channel. 10. A receiving apparatus comprising a receiving unit for receiving one or more data records having a data identifier, a data attribute value, and a channel identifier, wherein the receiving unit relates to a time zone in which data can be received in the data attribute value of the data record. When including time zone information that is information, a channel identifier selecting unit that selects a channel identifier based on a data attribute value of the data record; and data from a channel selected by the channel identifier selected by the channel identifier selecting unit. A receiving device comprising a data receiving unit for receiving. 11. The receiving apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the data attribute value is information indicating the importance of the data identified by the data identifier. 12. A data record management unit for managing one or more data records having a data identifier and a channel identifier, a content storage unit for storing content information having a pair of data, a data identifier, and a data attribute value; A data identifier acquisition unit for acquiring a data identifier of a data record managed by the management unit; and a data attribute value paired with the same data identifier as the data identifier acquired by the data identifier acquisition unit, acquired from the content storage unit. A data attribute value acquiring unit to perform, a determining unit that determines whether to receive the data identified by the data identifier from the data attribute value acquired by the data attribute value acquiring unit, If it is a decision to receive, it is identified by the channel identifier paired with the data identifier. And a receiving unit for receiving data from a channel. 13. A data attribute value included in the content information includes update time information that is information on an update date and time of the data, and the determination unit determines that one piece of data is to be received based on the update time information. 13. The receiving apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said receiving unit receives data from a channel identified by a channel identifier paired with a data identifier identifying one piece of data determined by said determining unit. 14. A data attribute value included in said content information includes version information which is information relating to a version of data, wherein said determination unit determines to receive one data based on said version information, 13. The receiving device according to claim 12, wherein the unit receives data from a channel identified by a channel identifier paired with a data identifier identifying one piece of data determined by the determining unit. 15. The data attribute value included in the content information includes operation information that is information relating to an operation on data, and the determination unit determines that one piece of data is to be received based on the operation information. 13. The receiving device according to claim 12, wherein the unit receives data from a channel identified by a channel identifier paired with a data identifier identifying one piece of data determined by the determining unit. 16. The receiving apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said operation information is information for judging whether or not data has been output. 17. The receiving apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said operation information is information relating to a data output time. 18. A data attribute value included in the content information includes shopping operation information that is information relating to an operation of performing electronic shopping using data, and the determination unit receives one data based on the shopping operation information. The method according to claim 15, wherein the receiving unit receives the data from a channel identified by a channel identifier paired with a data identifier identifying one piece of data determined by the determining unit. Receiving device. 19. A computer readable medium which is readable by a computer, and in which the computer manages switching timing information, which is information relating to switching timing of a plurality of channels, so that the computer receives data by switching a plurality of channels. A switching timing information management unit, a channel determining unit that determines a channel according to the switching timing information, a receiving unit that receives data of the channel determined by the channel determining unit, and a storage unit that stores the data received by the receiving unit. Program for functioning as a receiving device. 20. A computer readable computer which manages at least one data record having a data identifier for identifying data, a data attribute value indicating an attribute of data, and a channel identifier for identifying a channel. A data record management unit, a content storage unit that stores content information having a pair of data, a data identifier, and a data attribute value; a data identifier acquisition unit that acquires a data identifier of a data record managed by the data record management unit; A data attribute value acquisition unit that acquires a data attribute value paired with the same data identifier as the data identifier acquired by the identifier acquisition unit from the content storage unit; data that is paired with the data identifier acquired by the data identifier acquisition unit Attribute value and acquired by the data attribute value acquisition unit A determining unit that determines whether or not to receive the data identified by the data identifier from the data attribute value; if the determination by the determining unit is a determination to receive, the data is paired with the data identifier; And a receiving unit for receiving data from a channel identified by the identified channel identifier. 21. When the computer functions as a receiving apparatus including a receiving unit that receives one or more data records having a data identifier, a data attribute value, and a channel identifier, the data being included in the data record. In the case where the attribute value includes time zone information that is information on a time zone in which data can be received, the computer may be configured to select a channel identifier based on a data attribute value of the data record. A receiving device that functions as a data receiving unit that receives data from a channel selected by a selected channel identifier. 22. A computer-readable content, comprising: a data record management unit for managing one or more data records having a data identifier and a channel identifier; and a content having a pair of data, a data identifier, and a data attribute value. A content storage unit for storing information, a data identifier acquisition unit for acquiring a data identifier of a data record managed by the data record management unit, and a data identifier identical to the data identifier acquired by the data identifier acquisition unit. A data attribute value acquisition unit that acquires a data attribute value from the content storage unit, and a determination unit that determines whether to receive data identified by the data identifier from the data attribute value acquired by the data attribute value acquisition unit. To determine that the decision in the decision section should be received In some cases, the receiving apparatus comprising a receiving unit for receiving data from the channel identified by the channel identifier becomes the data identifier and pairs.