JP2006025343A - Information data providing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To selectively request information data (broadcast) using a terminal device which is capable of receiving a digital data broadcast without using any particular device. <P>SOLUTION: A script describing, in a data broadcast description language, a control procedure to be executed by a terminal device for requesting transmission of information data selected by the terminal device to a center and receiving and displaying the information data on a display device is transmitted as a digital data broadcast. The control data required for the terminal device to execute the control procedure and to receive the information data are intercommunicated with the terminal device, and the information data are selected and transmitted via an idle logic channel. By receiving the digital data broadcast from the center and executing the script, while tuning for a transmission request of the selected information data and the selected information data to be transmitted from the center according to the transmission request, the control data required for executing the control procedure are intercommunicated with a center control device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

The present invention relates to an information data providing system for selectively transmitting information data stored in a center to a terminal device in response to a request from the terminal device.
In particular, the system of the present invention is not limited to this, but a cable television system that directly receives a digital broadcast by a television receiver that can retransmit the digital broadcast and receive the digital broadcast, or remodulate the digital broadcast. In the cable television system using the set top box for enabling the reception of the digital broadcast when transmitting the digital broadcast, it is effective for realizing the system of the present invention.
Therefore, the present invention can be multiplexed with a digital television broadcast in a terminal device as long as it is a device that can receive a digital data broadcast without requiring any special equipment to realize the system of the present invention. The present invention relates to a system capable of receiving necessary information data in a terminal device in response to a request from the terminal device in a system in which digital television broadcasting is not multiplexed.

  In a cable television system (hereinafter referred to as “CATV system”), a plurality of channels of television broadcast (hereinafter referred to as “TV broadcast”) is usually frequency-multiplexed at the head end, and a CATV such as a coaxial cable or an optical fiber is used. The data is transmitted to the receiving terminal device installed in the subscriber through the transmission line. The receiving terminal device receives the frequency-multiplexed broadcast signal and displays a video on the television receiver, thereby providing a television broadcast service.

  In such a CATV system, in addition to these TV broadcasts, a video-on-demand (hereinafter referred to as “VOD”) service for broadcasting specific program content can be implemented in response to a request from a subscriber. This service is especially adopted in CATV systems in the United States.

  FIG. 29 shows a CATV system used for this VOD service. The CATV transmission path is composed of a plurality of trunk lines 1, 2, 3, and the like. The TV broadcast signal is transmitted from the head end 100 for each of the plurality of trunk lines. In the example of FIG. 29, the number of main lines is three. In the head end 100, VOD servers 101, 121, and 141 are installed for each trunk line, and a plurality of program contents are digitized and stored. A receiving terminal device 145 is installed in the subscriber.

  In order to realize the VOD service, a dedicated VOD program 115 is built in the receiving terminal device, and by this VOD program, selection of program content by the subscriber and transmission of a selection command to the head end are executed. . That is, when the subscriber operates the start key for using the VOD service using the remote controller 113, the VOD program 115 is activated, and thereby the program selection image is displayed on the television receiver. Further, the subscriber operates the cursor movement key and the enter key on the image using the remote controller 113, so that the subscriber selects a desired program from the displayed program menu.

  The request data for specifying the selected program is transmitted from the communication control modem 114 built in the receiving terminal device 145 to the communication terminal device (cable modem) 110 installed in the head end 100 through the CATV transmission path 149. The data is transmitted to the management server 111 via the device 110. When the management server 111 receives the request data from the subscriber, the management server 111 determines the CATV transmission line 149 (main line 3) to which the communication terminal device 145 that transmitted the request data is connected. In the CATV transmission line 149 (main line 3), a free channel is selected from the channels allocated for the VOD service.

  The management server 111 instructs the VOD server 141 corresponding to the selected CATV transmission path 149 (main line 3) to transmit the broadcast signal of the program content specified by the request data to the selected channel. On the other hand, the management server 111 sends the reception channel specifying data specifying the channel (frequency band) for receiving the VOD broadcast via the communication terminal device 110 and the CATV transmission line 149 to the receiving terminal device 145 as the request source. To transmit. When receiving the reception channel specifying data, the receiving terminal device 145 selects the receiving channel as the channel specified by the specifying data. Thereby, the video by the VOD broadcast is displayed on the television receiver 112. The above processing is executed by a dedicated VOD program stored in advance in the receiving terminal device 145.

  Currently, the receiving terminal measures used as a standard have a function of receiving BS digital broadcasting, CS110 digital broadcasting, and terrestrial digital broadcasting, and can also receive CATV multi-channel broadcasting. As for digital broadcasting, there is digital data broadcasting in addition to ordinary TV programs, and the receiving terminal device can receive both. In addition, the receiving terminal device is equipped with an Ethernet terminal and has a function of performing IP communication with a server on the Internet.

  Further, in Patent Document 1 below, a channel switch is provided in a set top box of a terminal device, and a predetermined channel is selected by an instruction from the head end for a terminal device that is to perform a VOD service. Describes a system that allows the terminal device to receive the VOD broadcast.

  Further, in Patent Document 2 below, a program to be transmitted by the head end is reserved for each trunk line, the reservation information is transmitted to each trunk line, and each terminal can see the reservation information, and has already been distributed. If it is sufficient to view a reserved program, a system has been described in which it is possible to make a reservation over a reserved program. In this way, the transmission efficiency of the program for each trunk line supplied to each terminal is improved, thereby enabling viewing on many terminals.

  Patent Document 3 below discloses a system in which terminal management means for managing the usage status of a plurality of terminals is provided in order to efficiently perform video-on-demand at a hotel, and the reception channel is instructed to the terminals. Are listed.

  In addition, in Patent Document 4 below, in order to enable viewing for a specific viewer in a storage-type digital broadcast, an event message is attached to the event message from a broadcast station and transmitted, A system is described in which only a terminal device having the same ID as the ID can access the stored program. That is, a system is described in which VOD can be permitted for each individual terminal device.

Japanese Patent No. 2527870 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-275549 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-46686 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-244675

  In order to enable the VOD service described above, the receiving terminal device 145 replaces a receiving terminal device for receiving digital television broadcast that has been used in the past with a receiving terminal device compatible with the VOD service that incorporates the VOD program 115. There is a need. Further, the management server 111 and the VOD servers 101, 121, 141 and the receiving terminal device 145 are limited to the same manufacturer or a combination of specific manufacturers because of the operation using a dedicated VOD program. The supplier cannot be selected freely.

  Further, the CATV transmission line 149 needs to be a bidirectional transmission line because request data needs to be transmitted from the receiving terminal device to the head end 100 side using the upstream band. However, in apartment houses such as condominiums that are older in age, the in-house TV wiring is simply a one-way wiring that simply receives a television broadcast, and is often not a bidirectional wiring. Therefore, there is a problem that the above VOD service cannot be provided to such a house.

  In any of the above documents, the terminal device requires a terminal device dedicated to VOD. That is, even a terminal device that can receive a digital data broadcast cannot implement a VOD system unless a dedicated device that enables this VOD is provided in the terminal.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to simply display a television receiver capable of receiving digital broadcasting or display the digital broadcasting on the television receiver without using a dedicated receiving terminal device storing a manufacturer-specific VOD program. Simply by using a general-purpose digital broadcast receiving terminal device, the information data stored in the center is selectively transmitted to the requesting terminal device in response to a request from the terminal device, such as a VOD service. Is to be able to.
Another object of the present invention is to make it possible for a terminal device to receive information data upon request even when the CATV transmission line is not bidirectional.
Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to selectively transmit information data from the center in response to a request from the terminal device, only by transmitting a script using a digital data broadcast description language as a data broadcast to the terminal device. Is to build a system that can.
Another object of the present invention is to use the script to determine the channel or transmission path for transmitting the operation data, the information data from the terminal device, and the information data in the system that transmits the information data in response to the request from the terminal device. It is possible to more accurately execute control such as start and end of transmission.
These objects of the invention are achieved by each individual invention, and it should not be understood that each invention achieves all the objects.

An invention according to claim 1 for solving the above-mentioned problem is an information data providing system in which a digital data broadcast is transmitted from a center, and the terminal device receives the digital data broadcast and displays an image.
The center is
An information data storage device storing information data to be selectively transmitted in response to a request from the terminal device;
The terminal device is information for selecting the information data, the display data displayed on the screen, and the terminal device requests the center to transmit the information data selected based on the display data. A data broadcasting device for transmitting, as the digital data broadcast, a script describing a control procedure executed by the terminal device for receiving selected information data and displaying the selected information data in a data broadcasting description language;
Control data necessary for the terminal device to execute the control procedure and receive the information data is communicated with the terminal device, and information data to be transmitted is selected from the information data storage means. And a center control device that transmits via a free logical channel,
Have
The terminal device
A display device for displaying an image of the display data by the digital data broadcast;
An operation input device for giving an operation input to the display data displayed as an image;
By receiving the digital data broadcast from the center and executing the script, the selected information data transmission request and the selected information data transmitted from the center by the transmission request are tuned, A terminal controller that mutually communicates control data necessary to execute the control procedure between the center controllers;
It is an information data providing system characterized by having.

  This system may be any system as long as it can transmit and receive digital data broadcasting. Typically, it is a CATV system or FTTH (Fiber To The Home) system that transmits digital broadcasting, but is not limited thereto. In the case of a CATV system, a digital broadcast wave is transmitted as it is or after changing only the frequency band, and the digital broadcast wave is demodulated once and remodulated to a modulation scheme such as QPSK or 64QAM and transmitted. It may be a system. When transmitting digital broadcast waves as they are, the digital television receiver can be directly connected to the transmission line, and when changing only the frequency band, the digital television receiver is transmitted via the frequency converter. Connect to the road. In the case of the re-modulation method, the television receiver may be connected to the transmission line via a device that can demodulate a signal by the modulation method. This device is called an STB (Set Top Box). The terminal device in the present invention is a set of devices necessary for receiving digital data broadcasting.

  The center is used to mean a location for transmitting digital data broadcasts. In the CATV system, it usually means a head end for retransmitting broadcast signals or converting upstream and downstream frequency bands. However, the center and the head end are not necessarily the same.

  The information data is digital data, but the type is not limited. Still images, movies, movies, karaoke data, etc. are optional. Currently, BML (Broadcast Markup Language) is used as a data broadcasting description language, but it is not limited to this language because of specification changes and the like. In short, the essence of the present invention is that a control procedure to be executed by a terminal device is determined by a script (program) described in a data broadcasting description language, and is always supplied to the terminal device as a digital data broadcast. Therefore, the data broadcasting description language is arbitrary as long as the language can describe digital data broadcasting. The data broadcasting description language includes instruction words such as timer interrupt processing, interrupt processing upon reception of an event message, interrupt processing upon module update, and IP communication. These commands are used to enable accurate control of the system.

  A feature of the present invention is that the script described in the data broadcasting description language is transmitted as a digital data broadcast from the center to the terminal device, and the terminal device executes the script. This is the construction of a system that can selectively receive information data upon request.

  The data broadcasting apparatus is an apparatus capable of transmitting a digital data broadcast including a script described in a data broadcasting description language. The center control device communicates with the terminal device, selectively reads out the information data stored in the information data storage device in response to a request from the terminal device, and sends the information data to an open logical channel It is. These devices are generally constituted by a computer system and are a single device or a collection of a plurality of devices.

  The display device is generally a television receiver, but is not limited to this as long as it can display an image. Display data for selecting information data is generally a menu screen, but is not particularly limited thereto. In addition, the display device that displays the display data and the display device that displays the information data may be the same or different. For example, the menu may be displayed on the screen of the operation input device. The terminal device also includes a movable portable terminal device connected to the system wirelessly or by wire. The operation input device is generally referred to as a remote control device, but is not limited to this, and an input method such as a keyboard, a touch pen, or a touch input screen is arbitrary.

  The terminal control device is a device that receives a digital data broadcast, executes a script described in a data broadcast description language, communicates with the center control device, and receives information data for display. This apparatus is generally composed of a computer system, and is composed of a single or a set of a plurality of apparatuses.

  Transmission of control data from the center control device to the terminal control device can be performed as digital data broadcast (for example, event message, data broadcast by module). It is also possible to carry out via another communication network connecting the center control device and the terminal control device. On the other hand, transmission of control data from the terminal control device to the center control device is performed via other communication networks connecting the terminal control device and the center control device in addition to data transmission using the uplink transmission band of this system. Is also possible.

  As a communication network in this case, the Internet, a telephone line, a LAN, a WAN, a coaxial cable of a CATV system, an optical fiber cable of an FTTH system, and the like can be considered. When the system of the present invention is a CATV system, it is possible to transmit data using the uplink channel of a bidirectional CATV system. Further, it may be transmitted to the center control device using a transmission path of another CATV system. A cable modem is usually used for this purpose. When using the Internet or LAN, a router or the like can be used.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the information data providing system is a cable television system in which a television signal is distributed from the center to a plurality of trunk lines and broadcasted, and a frequency for providing the information data is provided. 2. The information data providing system according to claim 1, wherein the information data and the digital data broadcast are transmitted in a time-division multiplexed manner in a band.

  In the present invention, this system is realized in a cable television system. Therefore, the frequency band for transmitting television signals and the frequency band for transmitting digital data broadcasting and information data are frequency multiplexed. The digital data broadcast and the plurality of information data are transmitted by time division multiplexing. Each information data is transmitted to each logical channel, and when receiving each logical channel, a common digital data broadcast can also be received. The present invention has a large effect when realized by such a system, and solves a technical problem that occurs when a transmission line is configured by an aggregate of a plurality of trunk lines as will be described below. Yes.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the information data providing system is a system in which transmission signals are distributed from the center to a plurality of trunk optical fiber transmission lines, and the information data and the information data are provided in a frequency band for providing the information data. 2. The information data providing system according to claim 1, wherein the digital data broadcast is a system for modulating and transmitting light with an electric signal time-division multiplexed.

  This system is an example in which a terminal device is connected to an optical fiber transmission line, and is a so-called FTTH system. Also in this system, a system that selectively transmits information data in accordance with the request of the present invention can be constructed with high reliability.

The invention of claim 4 is an apparatus in which the data broadcasting device performs data broadcasting by attaching trunk line information including each trunk line ID to each event line to the event message.
The script is configured such that when the event message is received by the terminal control device, an interrupt process for transmitting a trunk line ID attached to the event message to the center control device is started. ,
The center control device specifies a trunk line to which the terminal device is connected based on the trunk line ID received from the terminal control device, and transmits the information data selected only to the trunk line. The information data providing system according to claim 2 or claim 3.

  When the transmission line is composed of a plurality of trunk lines, the center does not know which trunk line the requesting terminal apparatus is connected to. If the information data selected from one terminal device is transmitted to all the trunk lines, this method cannot be used because the transmission line utilization efficiency is extremely reduced. Therefore, according to the present invention, the center control device can recognize which trunk line the requesting terminal apparatus is connected to, and the selected information data is transmitted only to the trunk line.

  A script described in a digital data broadcasting description language, for example, BML, has a function of generating an interrupt when an event message is received. Thus, the request source terminal device acquires the trunk line ID, and transmits the trunk line ID to the center control device, so that the center control device determines which trunk line the request source terminal device is connected to. be able to.

The invention of claim 5 is an apparatus that broadcasts data by including the main line information with each main line ID attached to each main line in the module.
The script is configured such that when the contents of the module are updated, an interrupt process for transmitting the trunk line ID attached to the module to the center control device is started.
The center control device identifies the trunk line to which the terminal device is connected based on the trunk line ID received from the terminal control device, and transmits the selected information data only to the trunk line. An information data providing system according to claim 2 or claim 3.

  Similarly to the fourth aspect, the main line ID is included in the module, and the module is transmitted to each main line. The script has an instruction word that causes an interrupt process when the module is updated. For this reason, the center control device can change the module at regular time intervals, so that the requesting terminal device can receive this module by interruption and acquire the trunk line ID of the trunk line that received the module. . The trunk line ID is transmitted to the center control apparatus, so that the center control apparatus can know which trunk line the requesting terminal apparatus is connected to. In this way, the selected information data can be sent only to the trunk line to which the requesting terminal device is connected, and the utilization efficiency of the terminal device is improved as a whole system.

The invention of claim 6 is an apparatus in which the terminal control device notifies the center control device of the ID of information data requesting transmission by data communication by the script.
The center control device reads the information data selected from the terminal device from the information data storage device, and when the preparation for transmission to the logical channel is completed, the center control device receives the preparation completion information Is a device that notifies by data communication,
6. The script according to claim 1, wherein the script performs a process of notifying an ID of the information data and a process of receiving the preparation completion information with a single function. This is an information data providing system.

As the transmission path for data communication, the Internet, telephone line, LAN, WAN, CATV system coaxial cable, FTTH system optical fiber cable, and the like are conceivable. If the system of the present invention is a CATV system, data can be transmitted using the uplink channel of the CATV system. Moreover, you may make it transmit to a center control apparatus using another CATV system. A cable modem is usually used for this purpose.
When using the Internet or LAN, a router or the like can be used.

The invention according to claim 7 is an apparatus in which the terminal control apparatus notifies the center control apparatus of the ID of information data requesting transmission by data communication, using the script.
The center control device is a device that, when receiving the ID of the information data, reads the information data selected from the terminal device from the information data storage device and transmits the information data to the logical channel. An interrupt process is generated at a predetermined time interval after an information data transmission request, and the center control device is inquired whether preparation for transmission of the information data is completed. The information data providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein

  In the terminal device, the ID of the selected information data is transmitted by the upstream transmission band of the present system or IP communication through a communication network such as the Internet. Thus, the center control device can determine which information data should be sent. A certain preparation time is required before the transmission of the information data is started. The terminal control device needs to know the completion of this preparation. After completion of this preparation, the terminal device can start the next reading operation such as fast-forwarding, rewinding, and stopping with respect to the information data. At this time, the terminal control device generates an interrupt at a predetermined time interval by a command word of the script so as to inquire the center control device about the completion of preparation. With this configuration, the terminal control device can know the completion of preparation for sending information data.

The invention of claim 8 is an apparatus in which the terminal control apparatus notifies the center control apparatus of data data ID requesting transmission by the script, using the script.
The center control device reads the information data selected from the terminal device from the information data storage device, and when the preparation for transmission to the logical channel is completed, the ready information and the ID of the terminal device to be received Is a device that broadcasts event messages with
When the event message is received at the terminal control device, the script decodes the preparation completion information attached to the event message, and determines that the center has completed preparation for transmission of information data. In the case, an interrupt process for starting a procedure that can be executed after the preparation for transmission of information data is completed is configured to be started. This is an information data providing system.

  In the present invention, the center control device transmits an event message with the ID of the terminal device and the preparation completion information as a data broadcast when the preparation for sending the requested information data is completed. The script executed in the terminal control device has an instruction word that causes an interrupt when an event message is received. As a result, the terminal control device can determine whether the message is addressed to itself based on the ID of the terminal device, and the center control device can know in real time that the preparation for sending the information data is completed.

Invention of Claim 9 is an apparatus which the said center control apparatus notifies the logical channel ID of the logical channel which transmits the selected said information data to the said terminal control apparatus by data communication,
The terminal control device is a device that, by executing the script, executes data communication, receives a logical channel ID, and receives the information data on a logical channel specified by the ID. The information data providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

  Information data is transmitted in the open logical channel. Although the center controller on the sending side knows the transmitted logical channel, the terminal controller on the terminal side does not know the logical channel to which information data is transmitted. Therefore, according to the present invention, the logical path channel is notified from the center control device to the terminal control device by data communication. The script executed by the terminal control device is configured to execute data communication, for example, IP communication, receive a logical channel ID, and receive information data on a logical channel specified by the ID.

The invention according to claim 10 is an apparatus in which the data broadcasting apparatus performs data broadcasting by attaching a logical channel ID of a logical channel for transmitting the information data to an event message.
In the script, when the event message is received by the terminal control device, an interrupt process for receiving the information data on a logical channel specified by a logical channel ID attached to the event message is activated. The information data providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the information data providing system is configured as described above.

  In the present invention, the center control apparatus attaches the logical channel ID and the terminal apparatus ID to the event message and sends it out as a data broadcast. On the other hand, the script executed by the terminal control device generates an interrupt when an event message is received. By this interrupt, the terminal device ID is analyzed, and if the event message is addressed to itself, the logical channel ID is obtained. To do. Then, the terminal control device selects the logical channel specified by the ID and receives the transmitted information data. In this way, the terminal device can accurately and without delay know the logical channel from which the center has sent the information data.

  The invention of claim 11 is characterized in that the terminal control device notifies the center control device by data communication of a viewing state of its own terminal device by interruption processing at regular intervals by execution of the script. The information data providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

  The center control device does not know whether the terminal device continues to receive information data by selecting a logical channel. Therefore, the script executed by the terminal control device generates an interrupt at regular intervals, and the interrupted state in the terminal device (the fact that it is continuously auditioning, logical channel ID, terminal) The control data of the device ID and the like is notified to the center control device by data communication. The center control device can receive this control data and determine whether each terminal device is currently listening. When the terminal device changes from the trial listening state to the non-trial listening state, the transmission of information data to the terminal device is immediately stopped. Thereby, the use efficiency of this system of each terminal device improves.

  The invention according to a twelfth aspect is characterized in that the terminal control device makes an inquiry to the center control device by data communication about the end of transmission of the information data by interruption processing at regular intervals by execution of the script. The information data providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

  In this invention, the terminal control device makes an inquiry to the center control device whether or not the transmission of the information data addressed to its own terminal device is completed by data communication at regular time intervals. It is possible to know the end of transmission of information data. The present invention achieves this inquiry by receiving and executing a script for digital data broadcasting.

The invention according to claim 13 is an apparatus for broadcasting the event message with the transmission end information and the ID of the terminal device to be received when the transmission of the information data is completed.
When the event message is received at the terminal control device, the script interprets the transmission end information attached to the event message, and determines that the center has finished transmitting the information data. The information data according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein an interrupt process for starting a procedure to be executed after reception of information data is started. This is a provision system.

  In the present invention, when the center control device finishes sending the information data, the event message with the transmission end information and the ID of the terminal device to be received is data broadcast. When the terminal control device receives the event message by executing the script, an interrupt occurs, and the terminal device ID is decoded, and if the message is addressed to itself, the message is further decoded. If the transmission end information is included, the processing after the end of transmission of the information data is executed. As a result, the center device and the terminal device can be synchronized with respect to the end of transmission of information data.

  In the present specification, scripts (programs) having the functions described in each claim are also described, and the scripts described in each claim are understood as independent program inventions.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the control procedure to be executed by the terminal control device with respect to the transmission of the information data selectively designated by the terminal control device and the reception control at the terminal device is a data broadcast description language. It is executed by the described script. Therefore, as long as the terminal device has a digital data broadcast reception function, it is possible to construct a system for receiving information data selected by a request from the terminal device. There is no need for a special terminal device, and there is no need to incorporate a special program in the terminal device, and there is no need for consistency with the center device. Therefore, this system is a convenient system for use.

  In the invention of claim 2, the system of the present invention is realized in a cable television system. In the cable television system, as long as the terminal device has a function capable of receiving digital television broadcast, the system of the present invention can be realized. Therefore, the same effect as in claim 1 can be obtained.

  In the invention of claim 3, this system is realized by using optical fiber transmission. Therefore, as in the second aspect, the system of the present invention can be realized as long as the terminal device has a function capable of receiving the digital television broadcast.

  According to the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention, the main line to which the requesting terminal device is connected can be specified by a script. That is, the terminal device is connected by acquiring the trunk line ID in the terminal control device by transmitting the event message and module with the trunk line information including the trunk line ID for each trunk line, and performing data communication with the center control device. The main trunk line can be seen at the center. In the terminal device, it is possible to specify the trunk line to which the terminal device is connected without requiring any special device or program.

  The inventions according to claims 6, 7 and 8 enable the terminal device to know that preparation for transmission of the information data requested from the terminal device is completed at the center. Also in this case, the terminal control device can know that the preparation for transmission of the center information data is completed only by executing the script received as the digital data broadcast. Therefore, a special device is not required for the terminal device.

  According to the ninth and tenth aspects of the present invention, the terminal device can easily know the logical channel when the center transmits the information data simply by executing the script transmitted as the digital data broadcast. Therefore, the present system can be easily realized only with a script.

  In the inventions of claims 11, 12, and 13, it is realized that the center control device knows the viewing state of the terminal device and that the terminal device knows the end of transmission of the center information data. Also, the reception status of the terminal device is revealed at the center simply by receiving the script transmitted from the center as a digital data broadcast and executing it, and the terminal device terminates the transmission of information data from the center. It becomes clear. Therefore, this system can be realized without using a special device for the terminal device.

First, the outline of the best mode of the present invention will be described.
The present invention realizes the present system by using a digital data broadcast receiving function that is installed in the receiving terminal as standard. That is, in this system, a script using a description language of digital data broadcasting is transmitted from the center to the terminal device as data broadcasting, and the terminal device executes the script, thereby selectively receiving information data of this system. It is a system that made it possible. Currently, BML (Broadcast Markup Language) is used as a data broadcasting description language, and therefore the system of the present invention uses a BML script for data broadcasting. Of course, it is not limited to this BML.

  As for digital broadcasting, BS digital broadcasting started in December 2000. In addition, terrestrial digital broadcasting has been started since December 2003. In these digital broadcasts, digital data broadcasts can be performed. Data broadcasting is a service in which, in addition to conventional video programs, data such as still images and weather information is transmitted together, and the data is processed and displayed by a receiving terminal device.

  BML currently used as a language for describing data broadcasting is a language specialized for data broadcasting based on XML (eXtensible Markup Language). A WWW browser used on the Internet has a function of interpreting data described in HTML (HyperText Markup Language) and displaying the received data on a screen. Similarly, in data broadcasting, data described in BML is broadcast as data broadcasting, and the received receiving terminal apparatus executes BML, whereby the data is displayed on the TV screen.

  The BML is further configured so that the processing content can be described using a procedural language called ECMAScript so that the display content can be dynamically changed by the remote control operation of the viewer. A processing procedure that can be described in BML data and described in ECMAScript in the BML data is called a BML script.

  It is also possible to forcibly change the screen display by sending a signal from the broadcasting station without the viewer's remote control operation. The function is executed by an event message. As shown in FIG. 22, the event message includes a message ID that specifies the type of message and a data portion. This event message can be used as a trigger signal for transmitting information to the receiving terminal device or causing the receiving terminal device to start some interrupt processing. The message ID can be freely set in the range of 0 to 254.

  In addition to event messages, the module update function is used to handle data whose contents change over time, such as weather information and stock price information. The module will be described with reference to FIG. Data broadcasting is composed of a plurality of data files. For example, it is a data file in which BML files, still image files, weather information, and the like are collected. Multiple collections of these files are called modules. Data broadcasting is composed of one or more modules. Modules are subdivided into blocks called DDB and repeatedly sent out with module configuration information called DII.

  When the content of a module including a data file such as weather information is updated and broadcast, the receiving terminal device detects that the content of the module has been changed. This is called a module update function. When a module update is detected, an interrupt can be generated to execute an arbitrary BML script.

  In terrestrial digital broadcasting, BML has been extended so that a communication procedure in data communication, for example, IP communication can be described in a BML script. FIG. 27 shows an example of using this function. By specifying a server name as an instruction word argument on the fourth line in FIG. 27, the server communicates with the center server via the network to request a specific process or process result (line 7 in FIG. 27). The eye variable (result) can be obtained.

  As described above, the present invention transmits a description language of digital data broadcasting, in particular, a script described in BML as a data broadcast from the center to the terminal device, and the terminal device executes the script to thereby execute the terminal. This realizes a system in which a device requests transmission of desired information data from a plurality of information data and receives the information data by a terminal device. Therefore, the terminal device only needs to be able to receive digital data broadcasting, and there is no need to provide a device with a special specification. Further, by using the event message function and the module update function in the description language of digital data broadcasting, it becomes possible to synchronize the center control device and the terminal control device.

  The present invention has the above outline, and the present invention will be described below in more detail based on specific examples.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention realizes a VOD service in which information data is video image data (including audio data) will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to the following specific examples.

[Entire system configuration]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the apparatus of this embodiment. The center A is provided with an information data storage device A1, a center control device A2, and a data broadcasting device A3. A large number of terminal devices (terminal receiving devices) B are connected to the center A via the transmission line X. The terminal device B includes a display device B1, a terminal control device B2, and a device input device B3. The transmission line X includes the transmission line of the CATV system, the Internet for performing data communication, a telephone line, and the transmission line of another CATV system.

  FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of a system that embodies a VOD service that is an example of an on-demand service. VOD servers 201, 202, 221, 222, 241, and 242 are installed in the head end 200 that is the center A. These VOD servers constitute an information data storage device A1. The content (corresponding to information data) sent from one VOD server 201 is multiplexed with the data broadcast content 271 sent from the data broadcast sending device 212 constituting the data broadcasting device A3 by the multiplexing device 203. The signal is input to the modulator 204 as a TS signal having a signal format described later. The modulator 204 modulates the TS signal by a 64QAM modulation method that is standardly used for digital signal transmission in the CATV system, modulates the TS signal at a preset high frequency, and sends it to the transmission line. .

  On the other hand, normal digital broadcasting other than the VOD service is output as a TS signal from the digital broadcast retransmitting device 261 and output as an RF signal via the multiplexing device 263 and the modulator 264. The RF signals output from the respective modulators are mixed by the mixers 205, 225 and 245 and transmitted to the CATV transmission lines 209, 229 and 249.

  The CATV transmission line is usually divided into several trunk lines. FIG. 2 shows an example in which it is divided into three trunk lines 1, 2, and 3. A VOD server, a multiplexer 203, a modulator 204, a mixer 205, and the like are installed for each trunk line. On the other hand, in the case of digital broadcasting by normal re-transmission, the same service is performed for all the trunk lines. Therefore, the RF signal output from the modulator 264 is distributed by the distributor 265 and installed for each trunk line. Input to the mixers 205, 225, 245.

  A service line 208 is drawn into the subscriber building from the CATV transmission line 209, and a receiving terminal device 251 is connected to the service line 208. The receiving terminal device 251 has a function of receiving and displaying the data broadcast content 271 and is a receiving terminal device used as a standard in the digital broadcasting service of the CATV system. A television receiver 252 for display is connected to the receiving terminal device 251. In addition, the viewer can perform a channel selection operation of a program and a screen operation for a screen display by data broadcasting with respect to the receiving terminal device 251 with the dedicated remote controller 253.

  The receiving terminal device 251 is connected to the communication terminal device 257 by an Ethernet cable (LAN cable) 258. Specifically, the communication terminal device 257 is a communication terminal device having a function of performing data communication with the outside, such as a cable modem, an ADSL modem, or an FTTH ONU. The communication terminal device 257 can communicate with the communication terminal device 211 connected to the communication line 259 and installed in the head end 200. Specifically, the communication line 259 is a communication line to which the communication terminal device 257 can be connected, such as a CATV transmission line, a telephone line, the Internet, or an FTTH line. Communication terminal device 211 is connected to bidirectional server 210 within headend 200. The bidirectional server 210 is connected to the schedule management server 213, the data broadcast transmission device 212, and the VOD servers 201, 202, 221, 222, 241, 242 via the network 215.

  In the above configuration, the center communication terminal device 211, bidirectional server 210, schedule management server 213, network 215, distributor 214, multiplexer 203, modulator 204, mixer 205, etc. The control device A2 is configured.

  On the other hand, the digital broadcast receiving terminal device 251, the television receiver 252, the remote controller 253, the communication terminal device 257, and the IC card 254 constitute the terminal device B. Further, the digital broadcast receiving terminal device 251, the communication terminal device 257, the IC card 254, and the like constitute the terminal control device B2. The television receiver 252 constitutes the display device B1, and the remote controller 253 constitutes the operation input device B3. The communication terminal devices 211 and 257 are devices that mutually perform data communication by IP using the Internet or the like.

  FIG. 3 illustrates the operation of the multiplexing device 203 and the like. The multiplexer 203 shown in the figure receives the program content which is information data output from the two VOD servers 201 and 202 and the data broadcast 271 transmitted from the data broadcast transmission device 212. Note that not only three devices but also four or more devices can be connected to the multiplexing device 203.

  Output data from the VOD servers 201 and 202 and the data broadcast transmission device 212 has a data format called MPEG2-TS. MPEG2-TS format data (hereinafter referred to as “TS data”) is composed of a data part divided into fixed-length packets and a header part attached to the head. Each packet is identified by information described in the TS header portion. In the TS header portion, a packet ID (PID) unique to the packet for identifying the packet is designated.

  The type of video, audio, or data packet is specified by the PID. In the series of TS data input to the input port 321 shown in FIG. 3, the video header has a PID of PID = P1 and the audio has a PID of PID = P2 attached to the TS header portion. Similarly, in a series of TS data input to the input port 322, PID = P3 for video and PID = P4 for audio are attached to the TS header. Furthermore, in a series of TS data input to the input port 323, the data broadcast content 271 is divided into a plurality of packets 315 and arranged in the data portion of the TS data, and a PID of PID = P5 is added to the TS header portion. ing.

  The multiplexer 203 extracts a packet with a preset PID from the input TS data, and outputs it by time division multiplexing. At this time, the PID can be rewritten to another PID value and output. In this way, video, audio, and data, which are a plurality of contents, can be time-division multiplexed in a series of TS data.

  FIG. 4 is a channel configuration diagram of the VOD channel. In digital broadcasting, one TS data is 64QAM modulated and transmitted as a broadcast wave of 6 MHz bandwidth. The VOD channel is composed of a physical channel and a logical channel as follows. First, the physical channel is composed of M sets separated by a 6 MHz bandwidth for each trunk line. One physical channel is provided with K logical channels by time division multiplexing. Therefore, in this VOD service, the total number of logical channels is K × M per trunk line.

  Since different contents (programs) can be transmitted for each logical channel, the number of programs that can be provided simultaneously is KxM per trunk line. K is usually 3 to 4, and the physical channel M is generally up to about 10 although it depends on the number of channels allocated to other services. FIG. 4 shows a case where K = 3 and M = 2. In this case, it is possible to provide 6 programs simultaneously. As shown in FIG. 4, logical channel numbers (logical channel IDs) 401 are assigned (ch1 to ch6) so that each program can be identified.

  In the case of FIG. 4, the total number of logical channels per trunk line is 6, and the logical channel number is a three-digit number in principle and assigned so as not to overlap. When there are a plurality of trunk lines, since a server is provided for each trunk line, different contents can be provided for each trunk line. Therefore, in the VOD service, KxM × N different contents can be broadcast. However, when the same content is supplied to each main line, there are M × N contents.

  The subscriber's receiving terminal device is always connected to one of the trunk lines. Therefore, when distributing a program to a specific receiving terminal device, it is necessary to specify a trunk line ID and a logical channel ID.

[Pre-registration of service permission]
Next, a method for embodying the present invention will be described in detail by taking a VOD service as an example. First, a subscriber who wants to use the VOD service applies to the CATV station in advance for the VOD service. Usually, one receiving terminal device is generally installed per household. In that case, it will be shared with the family. VOD programs may also include content that limits the age of viewers, such as adults. Therefore, when actually viewing such a program for which viewing restrictions are to be applied, it is necessary to input an ID and a password to identify the viewer. Therefore, when the CATV station approves the application, it issues an ID and password that can identify the applicant and notifies the subscriber. At the same time, the IC card number 255 for identifying the IC card 254 inserted in the receiving terminal device 251 shown in FIG.

[Start of service]
Next, when using the VOD service, one of the logical channels assigned to the VOD service is selected. Actually, a specific representative logical channel number is notified to the applicant, and the subscriber selects the channel when he / she wants to receive service. In fact, in order to receive the information data by the VOD service, the terminal device is notified of the logical channel in which the information data is transmitted from the center, and the terminal device selects the logical channel. In addition, data broadcasting is also time-division multiplexed on all logical channels, and each subscriber's receiving terminal device can receive the data broadcasting and always execute a BML script. By executing this BML script, the system of the present invention is realized.

  Data broadcast contents 271 shown in FIG. 2 are broadcast on all channels allocated to the VOD service. The data broadcast is received by the receiving terminal device 251 and then transmitted as a data broadcast to the center (head end). The BML script 256 received from () is executed.

[Overall action description]
1. Selection of Receiving Terminal Device that Can Receive Service FIG. 5 shows a processing procedure executed by the receiving terminal device 251 using a BML script. The BML script first checks whether the receiving terminal device 251 can execute the VOD service (S501). This is because the receiving terminal device installed at the beginning of the BS digital broadcasting does not have an IP communication function or the like and therefore cannot execute the BML script for the VOD service that realizes the present invention. . If it is determined that the receiving terminal device is not the target for VOD service after the check, a screen for informing the subscriber to that effect is displayed, or an alternative service channel is selected (S516).

  Next, a service confirmation process is performed in which the IC card number is read from the IC card inserted into the receiver terminal device 251 and whether or not the subscriber is registered to receive the VOD service by the ID. (S502). As a result, when it is determined that the receiving terminal device is not a service target, a screen indicating that fact is displayed or an alternative service channel is selected (S516).

  Next, when the subscriber has already watched the program using the subscriber's receiving terminal device (S505), the process proceeds to program special reproduction processing (S512). As will be described later, since the interactive server installed in the headend 200 always manages the state of the receiving terminal device receiving the VOD service, it is determined whether each terminal device is in the viewing state. Can be determined.

2. Determination of the trunk line If the subscriber is not viewing, that is, if the program has not yet been selected, processing for confirming which trunk line the receiving terminal apparatus is connected to is performed (S506). This is because the bidirectional server 210 cannot recognize the trunk line to which the receiving terminal device is connected immediately after execution. Therefore, as will be described later, a special signal is sent from the head end to the transmission line, and is received by the receiving terminal device to obtain the trunk line information. The trunk line information is necessary for specifying the VOD server that sends the program.

  If the receiving terminal device acquires the trunk line information, the program proceeds to a program selection process (S508). Here, there is also a process for selecting a program and a process for confirming whether or not the content can be viewed on the center side by allowing the subscriber to input an ID and a password when a program with viewing restrictions such as an adult program is selected. included. If the center determines that viewing is impossible due to an incorrect input of ID or password, error processing (S518) is performed and program selection processing is performed again (S508).

3. Preparation for sending out information data When viewing is possible, viewing preparation processing is performed (S510). At this time, in the center, the VOD server performs a cueing operation for the designated program. When the VOD server is a randomly accessible recording medium such as a hard disk, the cueing operation is completed in an instant. However, in the case of a VOD server composed of a tape medium, it takes time because it is necessary to automatically take out a tape containing a designated program from the library, set it in a VTR for transmission, and perform cueing. When the viewing preparation is completed, the process proceeds to the program channel selection process (S511).

  At this time, the receiving terminal device designates a specific logical channel ID from the bidirectional server 210, and selects a logical channel designated by the ID. When another logical channel is selected, the BML script by data broadcasting on that logical channel is executed, so the BML script currently being executed by data broadcasting on the logical channel before channel selection is forcibly terminated. It will be.

  However, since the same data broadcast signal is transmitted to all the logical channels of the VOD service, the same BML script is executed again from the top. Therefore, the target receiver identification process (S501) and the service confirmation process (S503) are executed again. For this reason, since it is unclear that the receiving terminal device has selected a logical channel for the VOD service and has entered a state of viewing content, the receiving terminal device receives from the center as follows: This is notified to the terminal device.

4). Viewing Control Even if the receiving terminal device selects another logical channel and the BML script is executed from the beginning, the center-side interactive server already has the corresponding receiver terminal device set to a specific channel. I know that I tuned in. Therefore, when the receiver terminal device inquires of the center by executing the BML script received by the data broadcasting of the logical channel to be switched (service confirmation processing in S503), the center interactive server is identified by the receiving terminal device. The answer is that they are viewing the content of the logical channel. The receiving terminal device receives the status data indicating that viewing is in progress from the center, and executes program special playback processing (S505). In program special playback processing, pause, fast forward playback, playback, and end can be specified.

  During viewing, a reception state confirmation process is performed for transmitting the reception state from the receiving terminal device to the center side at regular intervals (S513). If the program ends, a process for detecting it is performed (S514). Details of the processing will be described later. Finally, a program end process (S515) is performed, and the center side is notified that viewing has ended. Then, the program selection process (S508) is executed again so that the next program can be selected and viewed.

  When terminating the VOD service itself, a channel other than the VOD service is selected. At this time, the BML script described above is forcibly terminated and the VOD service is terminated. When the interactive server 210 cannot receive the reception status confirmation signal from the receiving terminal device over the Internet or the like for a certain period of time, the corresponding receiving terminal device assumes that the channel other than the VOD service has been selected, and the corresponding receiving signal is received. Exclude terminal devices from management.

Hereinafter, details of each process will be described.
[Determining reception eligibility for terminal devices]
FIG. 6 shows a BML script describing target receiver identification processing transmitted as data broadcast from the center. When the function 602 on the first line is executed, “1” is input to the variable 601 if the target receiver can receive the VOD service. If the receiver is not a VOD service target, a value other than “1” is set. Therefore, the variable 601 is referred to, and if the value is “1”, the next step is executed.

  Next, details of the service confirmation process will be described. FIG. 7 shows the detailed procedure of the process. First, an ID specifying the receiving terminal device is read. Specifically, the ID is an IC card number 255 stored in the IC card 254 inserted in the receiving terminal device (S701). Next, the ID and an identification code for identifying the type of service are transmitted to the bidirectional server 210 by IP communication via the Internet or the like, and permission for the VOD service is received (S702). The address of the interactive server is described in advance in the BML script. Therefore, even when the address of the interactive server is changed, the center can notify the receiving terminal device by changing the corresponding address of the BML script and broadcasting. It is also possible to install a plurality of bidirectional servers 210 and inquire permission to receive the VOD service to different interactive servers for each type of service.

  When the interactive server 210 accepts the inquiry, it collates the ID of the receiving terminal device and the identification code for identifying the type of service with the data registered in the internal database, and determines whether or not the VOD service can be provided (S703). ). In the internal database, as described above, the ID of the receiving terminal device and the identification code for specifying the type of service are registered in advance when applying from the subscriber.

  Next, the interactive server reads the status of the receiving terminal device held and confirms the current viewing state of the requesting receiving terminal device. Then, the interactive server 210 replies to the receiving terminal device by IP communication using the Internet or the like whether or not the VOD service can be provided (S705). In the receiving terminal device, whether or not the VOD service can be provided from the center as IP communication using the Internet or the like from the center and the viewing state can be determined by executing the BML script transmitted as the data broadcast. It is determined whether or not the receiving terminal device can receive the VOD service. If the receiving terminal apparatus can receive the VOD service, the process proceeds to the main line process confirmation process. On the other hand, the fact that the receiving terminal device has already selected a predetermined VOD channel and that the subscriber is watching the VOD broadcast is received by the state data transmitted from the center by IP communication. If it is found in the terminal device, the subsequent procedure is skipped and the program special reproduction process is performed.

[Determination of the trunk line to which the receiving terminal is connected]
Next, trunk line information acquisition processing will be described. There are two methods for realizing this processing. Each method will be described individually.
First, the first method will be described with reference to FIG. The receiving terminal device itself cannot recognize which trunk line it is connected to immediately after channel selection. Therefore, first, the bidirectional server 210 is requested to transmit trunk line information by IP communication via the Internet or the like (S801). Upon receiving the request from the receiving terminal device, the bidirectional server 210 generates a random code and, as shown in FIG. 22 (a), sends an event message command having a trunk line identification code (trunk ID) and a random code. Is output to the data broadcast transmission device 212 (S802). The random code is retained in order to determine whether or not the receiving terminal apparatus has successfully received the trunk line information in subsequent processing. The data broadcast transmission device 212 individually outputs the event message to which each trunk line ID is added to the distributor 214 (S803 in FIG. 8). Thereby, the event message is transmitted to each receiving terminal device as data broadcasting. Thereafter, when the transmission of the event message is normally completed or when the transmission fails, the data broadcast transmission device 212 replies to the bidirectional server 210 with information on the normal completion and the abnormal completion (S804). ).

  Event messages sent from the data broadcast sending device 210 are distributed by the number of trunk lines by the distributor, and input to the multiplexing devices installed for each trunk line. The operation of the multiplexing apparatus will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Each multiplexing device is known to which trunk line is connected, and each multiplexing device can extract only TS data to be output to its own trunk line. Of the event messages input to each multiplexing device, only the event messages in which the trunk line ID specified in the event message matches the trunk line ID of the trunk line to which each multiplexing device is connected. It is extracted in the multiplexer. Then, the PID of the TS data of the event message extracted by each multiplexing device is replaced with a preset P0, and this TS data is transmitted to the main line. Therefore, each receiving terminal device can receive an event message with a trunk line ID by extracting only TS data having a PID of P0.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 24, you may arrange | position a data broadcast transmission apparatus independently for every trunk line. In that case, each data broadcast transmission device transmits only an event message including the trunk line ID of the trunk line to which each data broadcast transmission apparatus belongs. According to this configuration, all the multiplexing apparatuses can have the same configuration.

  The receiver 251 that has selected the VOD broadcast receives this event message (S809 in FIG. 8). Immediately upon reception, the trunk line ID and random code attached to the event message are read. By doing in this way, each receiving terminal device can acquire the trunk line ID to which its receiving terminal device is connected. Next, in order to determine whether or not the acquired trunk line ID is normal, an inquiry is made to the bidirectional server 210 by IP communication using the Internet or the like (S811). That is, the receiving terminal device transmits the trunk line ID and the random code received as data broadcast to the center side by IP communication using the Internet. The bidirectional server 210 that has received the inquiry receives the trunk line ID and the random code, and determines whether or not it is the same as the transmitted event message in S802 (S812). When it is determined that they are the same, the trunk line ID is associated with the IC card number of the receiving terminal device 251, the data is held in the internal database, and the determination result is transmitted to the receiving terminal device 251. The In the receiving terminal device 251, when the event message is normally verified in the center as a result of the response from the center, the trunk line ID is held as a variable, and the process proceeds to the next step. This method is called a trunk ID event message reception method.

  Next, the second method will be described with reference to FIG. The bidirectional server 210 periodically generates a file including main line information and instructs the data transmission apparatus 212 to transmit the file as a module (S901). The trunk information includes a trunk line ID and a random code. The random code is changed at regular intervals (about 10 minutes to about 1 hour). Upon receiving this instruction, the data broadcast transmission device 212 replaces the module including the trunk line information with the module including the instructed trunk line information and transmits it as a data broadcast (S902). When the transmission is completed, the transmission result is returned to the bidirectional server (S903). In the above processing, regardless of whether or not the receiving terminal apparatus has selected VOD broadcast, the module including the trunk line information is always transmitted to the trunk line.

  The receiving terminal device 251 receives the module including the transmitted trunk line information from the trunk line (S906). And the receiving terminal device 251 reads the file containing trunk line information from the module. In order to confirm whether or not the read main line information is normal, an inquiry is made to the bidirectional server 210 by IP communication using the Internet or the like as to whether or not the acquired main line information is normal (S908). When the interactive server receives the inquiry, it confirms whether or not it is the same as the trunk line information for which it has issued a transmission instruction, and if it is the same, it corresponds to the IC card number and trunk ID of the receiving terminal device that made the inquiry In addition, the data is stored in an internal database. Thereafter, the determination result is returned to the receiving terminal device that made the inquiry (S910). The receiving terminal device receives the determination result by IP communication such as the Internet, and when the determination result indicates that the main line information is normally collated, the main terminal information is held and the process proceeds to the next step. This method is called a trunk information module reception method.

  Either the first method or the second method may be adopted. Further, when there is one main line, the main line confirmation process may be omitted.

[Selection of information data]
Next, details of the program selection process will be described.
FIG. 10 shows a program selection processing procedure executed by a BML script received as a data broadcast. First, as a VOD service menu, apart from the BML script, program information including program attribute information such as a program name, a length, and viewing restrictions is broadcast in the form of a data file called a binary table. Program information is read from this binary table, and the program information is displayed on the screen. FIG. 11 shows an example of a screen for selecting a program. As program information, the program name (title), viewing time, and contents are displayed in a list, and the viewer selects the program that he / she wants to view by remote control and presses a specific button (usually the “OK” button). , Confirm the selection of the VOD service program.

  If the selected program information is content that is subject to viewing restrictions, that information is displayed on the screen and an ID and password are input. FIG. 12 shows an example of the input screen. The viewer inputs the ID and password sent in advance at the time of application. If you do not want your child to watch adult content, you can prevent viewing by not telling your child your ID and password.

  The receiving terminal device adds the input ID and password for content with viewing restrictions by IP communication such as the Internet, and inquires of the interactive server 210 whether viewing is possible (S1006 in FIG. 10). The bi-directional server 210 checks the application information in the internal database to determine whether or not viewing is possible (S 1007), and replies the result to the inquiring receiving terminal device 251 by IP communication over the Internet (S 1008). ). The corresponding receiving terminal device 251 proceeds to the next viewing preparation process if viewing the answer result and viewing is possible.

[Preparation for sending information data]
Next, the viewing preparation processing procedure will be described in detail with reference to FIG. There are three methods for this processing procedure. The processing procedure of the first method is shown in FIG. By executing the BML script of the receiving terminal 251, the selected program information is attached, and a program viewing instruction is requested to the interactive server 210 by IP communication via the Internet (S 1301). The bidirectional server 210 issues a viewing preparation instruction to the schedule management server 213 (S1302). The schedule management server 213 registers the received information in the internal scheduler and returns the result (S1304), and the interactive server 210 receives the result of the program registration and stores the status (S1305). Then, the schedule management server 213 selects a VOD server to which content is to be transmitted from the trunk line ID, and issues a designated program transmission instruction to the corresponding VOD server (S1306). The VOD server that has received the program transmission instruction performs preparation work such as cueing so that the corresponding program can be transmitted (S1307). When ready, the processing result is notified to the schedule management server 213 (S1308). The notified schedule management server 213 notifies the bidirectional server 210 that the preparation has been completed (S1309). Thereafter, the interactive server 210 stores the completion of the program viewing preparation as a status (S1310). Next, the reception terminal device 251 is answered that the program viewing preparation is complete (S 1311). The receiving terminal device 251 receives the viewing preparation completion from the interactive server 210 by IP communication using the Internet (S 1312), and executes the next step.

  In the above method, the viewing instruction of the program in S1301 and the reception of the viewing preparation completion in S1312, which is the answer, are executed by one function described in the BML script. When the VOD server is a hard disk type, the program cueing process is completed in an instant, so that mutual communication can be normally performed even with the above method. However, when the VOD server is a conventional VTR and the tape search process is accompanied to the VTR, the process takes time. In this case, there is a case where it takes time from when the program viewing instruction is transmitted in S1301 until the response to the completion of viewing preparation is returned from the interactive server 210, and a communication error occurs due to time out. Normally, if more than 2 minutes elapse between the time when the program viewing instruction is transmitted and the time when the result is received, it is determined that a communication error has occurred and the processing is interrupted.

  Therefore, there is a second method for avoiding the interruption. The second method will be described with reference to FIG. First, the receiving terminal device executes a BML script to transmit a program viewing instruction including program information specifying the selected program to the interactive server 210 by IP communication over the Internet (S1401). Receiving this program viewing instruction, the interactive server 210 transmits a program transmission preparation instruction to the schedule management server 213 (S1402). The schedule management server 213 once registers the received program information (S1403), and then transmits program registration completion to the interactive server 210 (S1404). The interactive server 210 that has received the program registration completion notifies the reception terminal device 251 of confirmation of acceptance of viewing preparation (S1405). Receiving the viewing preparation acceptance confirmation, the receiving terminal device 251 temporarily terminates communication by executing the BML script, and sets an internal timer so that an interrupt is generated at regular intervals (S 1412). After that, when an interruption occurs at regular intervals, the receiving terminal device 251 makes an inquiry as to whether or not the viewing preparation is completed to the interactive server 210 by IP communication using the Internet (S 1414). On the other hand, after registering the program information, the schedule management server 213 instructs the VOD server to prepare for program transmission (S1407). The VOD server performs preparatory work such as cueing (S 1408), and notifies the schedule management server 213 of the completion of cueing (S1409). When the schedule management server 213 receives the viewing preparation completion from the VOD server, the schedule management server 213 notifies the interactive server 210 of the viewing preparation completion (S1410). The interactive server 210 receives the viewing preparation completion and stores the status indicating the preparation completion (S1411). In response to the inquiry about the completion of the program viewing preparation from the receiving terminal device in S1414, the interactive server 210 can determine whether or not the viewing preparation completion notification has already been received from the schedule management server 213 by reading the status. If the VOD server is ready for viewing, the program viewing preparation completion is transmitted from the bidirectional server 210 to the receiving terminal device by IP communication via the Internet (S1415). On the other hand, as a result of the status reading, if it is determined that the program viewing preparation is not completed in the VOD server, the receiving terminal device is notified by the IP communication over the Internet that the program viewing preparation is in progress (S1415).

  The receiving terminal device 251 repeatedly executes S1413 to S1417 until it receives a program viewing preparation completion from the interactive server 210 in S1417, and repeatedly executes a program viewing preparation completion inquiry in S1414. When it is determined that the program viewing preparation completion has been received from the interactive server 210 (S1417), the interrupt process is canceled (S1418), and the process proceeds to the next step. This method is called a viewing preparation completion inquiry method. In the case of this method, the receiving terminal device makes an inquiry to the interactive server 210 about the preparation for viewing at discrete times, so that the receiving terminal device makes an inquiry from the time when the preparation for viewing the program is completed on the VOD server. This is not efficient because wasted time is generated until the time until the operation is performed.

  A third method for improving this will be described. FIG. 15 shows the processing procedure. The process is the same as the second method from when the receiving terminal apparatus outputs a program viewing instruction in S1501 until it receives a process acceptance confirmation in S1506. Thereafter, the execution of the BML script causes the receiving terminal device to wait until an event message indicating completion of viewing preparation is received as a data broadcast (S1516). On the other hand, when the interactive server 210 receives notification from the schedule management server 213 that the program viewing preparation has been completed, the data broadcast sending device 212 is notified of the completion of program viewing preparation and the IC card number (terminal device ID) of the receiving terminal device Is sent to the data broadcast transmission device 212 (S1512). The data broadcast sending device 212 that has received the command sends an event message to the main line as a data broadcast (S1513). When the transmission of the event message is completed, the bidirectional server 210 is notified of the completion of the transmission (S1514), and the bidirectional server 210 stores this transmission completion (S1515). When the receiving terminal device receives the event message by executing the BML script (S1517), the receiving terminal device reads the IC card number of the receiving terminal device from the information of the event message and compares it with the IC card number set in its own receiving terminal device. (S 1517). When the IC card number received from the center is accurately compared with its own IC card number, the message is read and the center confirms that preparation for viewing the program is completed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to the next program tuning process.

〔Tuning〕
Next, the program tuning process procedure will be described with reference to FIG. First, the receiving terminal device transmits a program playback instruction to the bidirectional server 210 by IP communication using the Internet by executing the BML script (S1601). The interactive server 210 that has received the program playback instruction issues a program playback instruction to the schedule management server 213 (S 1602), and receives viewing channel information (channel ID) as a result from the schedule management server 213. (S1609), the viewing channel information is stored as a status. The bidirectional server 210 transmits the received viewing channel information to the receiving terminal device by IP communication using the Internet (S1610). When receiving the viewing channel information (S 1611), the receiving terminal device selects a channel designated by the viewing channel information by executing the BML script (S 1612). At this point, the execution of the BML script is temporarily terminated.

  When the receiving terminal device selects the designated viewing channel, the same BML script is transmitted as data broadcasting from the center to the viewing channel. Therefore, the receiving terminal device receives the BML script, and receives the first BML script. Run from. That is, the processing procedure of FIG. 5 is executed from the beginning. Therefore, after the target receiver identification process (S501) and the service confirmation process (S503) are executed, the fact that the VOD service is being viewed and the viewing channel information including the viewing channel number are sent to the receiving terminal device. Since it is transmitted as IP communication such as the Internet or data broadcasting using the trunk line, it is determined that viewing is in progress in S505, and thereafter, program special reproduction processing is executed (S512).

[Processing while viewing]
Special playback is possible during program viewing. Special reproduction has functions of reproduction, pause, fast forward reproduction, and termination. FIG. 26 shows an operation screen for special reproduction. In the playback screen 2600, a playback video 2603 and an icon 2601 are displayed. The viewer selects an icon 2601 using the remote controller 2602. When the viewer selects the end control, the program shifts to a program end process. If any other control is selected, the selected special reproduction instruction is transmitted to the bidirectional server 210 by IP communication using the Internet by the processing procedure shown in FIG. 17 (S1703). The bidirectional server 210 that has received the special reproduction instruction transfers the instruction to the schedule management server 213 (S 1704). The schedule management server 213 stores the special reproduction instruction as a status (S1705), and transmits the special reproduction instruction to the VOD server 210 (S1706). Upon receiving the special reproduction instruction, the VOD server executes special reproduction (S1707) and sends it as a data broadcast to the main line. The execution result of special playback is transmitted to the schedule management server 213 (S1708). The schedule management server 213 transmits the execution result of the special reproduction to the bidirectional server 210 (S1709), and the execution result is stored as a status (S1710). Then, the result of special reproduction is transmitted to the receiving terminal device by IP communication using the Internet (S1711).

  While the receiving terminal device is viewing the VOD service broadcast, the interactive server 210 in the center always monitors the state of the receiving terminal device. FIG. 18 shows the viewing monitoring processing procedure. The receiving terminal device sets a timer interrupt after starting viewing (S1801). The timer interrupt interval should be several seconds. A timer interrupt is generated at the set time interval (S1802). Each time the timer is interrupted, the viewing state of the receiving terminal device is notified to the bidirectional server 210 by IP communication via the Internet (S1803). The bidirectional server 210 holds the notified viewing state as an internal status (S 1805).

[End of viewing]
The receiving terminal device needs to detect the end of the program. However, in the BML script, communication cannot be requested from the interactive server 210 to a specific receiving terminal device. Therefore, there are the following two methods.

  The first method will be described with reference to FIG. The schedule management server 213 always manages programs sent from the VOD server. When the schedule management server 213 detects that the program has ended (S1902), it notifies the interactive server 210 of the end of the program (S1903), and the interactive server 210 stores this as status information ( (S1904), a confirmation process is executed with the schedule management server 213 (S1915, S1906).

  On the other hand, in the receiving terminal device, a timer interrupt is set and a periodic interrupt is generated by the BML script (S1901). In the BML script, a plurality of timer interrupts can be generated independently, and an interrupt is generated independently of the interrupt at the time of the reception status confirmation process (S1907). Each time an interrupt occurs, the receiving terminal device makes an inquiry to the interactive server 210 about the end of the program (S1908). The bidirectional server 210 reads the status information held therein and transmits the contents to the receiving terminal device (S19019). The receiving terminal device receives the data transmitted from the bidirectional server 210 by IP communication using the Internet or the like (S1909), and determines whether the transmission of the program broadcast is completed from the data (S1910). If the program has ended, the timer interrupt is canceled and the program end processing procedure shown in FIG. 21 is executed.

  In this case, the program is terminated by inquiring of the center at regular time intervals from the receiving terminal device. Therefore, the receiving terminal device recognizes that the program broadcast has ended despite the fact that the program broadcast transmission has actually ended from the time when the program broadcast transmission actually ended until the next inquiry time. Can not do it. A system that improves this problem is the second system.

  The second method will be described with reference to FIG. In the BML script, when the receiving terminal device receives a specific event message (EM) from the center as a data broadcast, an interrupt is set (S2001).

  On the other hand, when the schedule management server 213 detects that the program has ended (S2001), the schedule management server 213 notifies the bidirectional server 210 (S2002), and the bidirectional server 210 stores the fact as status information. (S2004), confirmation processing that the program end status has been set is executed with the schedule management server 213 (S2005, S2006). Thereafter, the interactive server 210 instructs the data broadcast sending device 212 to send a program end event message as shown in FIG. 22C to the receiving terminal device (S2007). Upon receiving the instruction, the data broadcast sending device 212 sends the event message as a data broadcast on the main channel on which the receiving terminal device is receiving (S2008), and the fact that the transmission of the event message is completed indicates that the two-way server 210 has received the instruction. (S2009).

  On the other hand, when the receiving terminal device receives a program end event message from the interactive server 210 as a data broadcast via the trunk line, an interruption occurs. Thereafter, the received event message is decoded (S2011), and after confirming whether or not the event message is addressed to its own receiving terminal device (S2012), the process proceeds to the next program end process shown in FIG.

[Processing after viewing]
The program end process will be described with reference to FIG. First, the receiving terminal device cancels the interrupt setting by executing the BML script (S2101). Next, the bidirectional server 210 is notified of the end of viewing of the VOD service broadcast (S2102). The interactive server 210 notifies the schedule management server 213 that the viewing of the program is ended (S2103). If the receiving terminal device selects the end of viewing in the middle, the VOD server is still broadcasting the program, so the schedule management server 213 instructs the VOD server to stop the program broadcasting (S2107). ). The VOD server stops data broadcasting of the program (S2108) and notifies the result to the schedule management server 213 (S2109). The schedule management server 213 notifies the bidirectional server 210 that the VOD has finished broadcasting the program (S2110). Receiving the end of the program broadcast, the interactive server 210 stores the fact as an internal status (S2111), and performs mutual confirmation of the end of the program broadcast with the schedule management server 213 (S2114). Then, the end of the program broadcast is notified to the receiving terminal device using IP communication such as the Internet (S2114). When the receiving terminal device receives the end of the program broadcast from the interactive server 210 (S2115), it proceeds to the program selection process of FIG. 10 so that the program can be selected again.

  When the VOD service is terminated, a program other than the VOD is selected. At this time, the execution of the BML script ends.

[Other Examples]
In the above embodiment, data communication from the receiving terminal device 251 to the center is IP communication using the Internet. However, if the transmission line of the CATV system is bidirectional, the upstream band of this transmission line is used. Data communication such as control data may be executed. Further, the control data from the center to the receiving terminal device is partly IP communication using the Internet. However, all control data may be attached to an event message by digital data broadcasting and transmitted. Further, the module update function of the BML script may be used to include control data in the module file so that the receiving terminal device receives the control data from the center at the module update timing. The transmission path may be an optical fiber cable in addition to the coaxial cable. Further, the transmission path may be an FTTH system in addition to the CATV system. In the case of the FTTH system, the system shown in FIG. 28 can realize a system that transmits information data in response to a request. That is, wavelength multiplexing is performed so that one-way communication is possible for digital broadcasting and two-way communication is possible for data communication. At the CATV head end, a digital broadcast signal is transmitted, and at the transmission side, data communication data and the digital broadcast signal are wavelength-multiplexed and transmitted to the receiving terminal device. In the receiving terminal device, the digital broadcast and the data are separated, the digital broadcast is input to the television receiver, and the data is input to the computer device. Data can be transmitted from the receiving terminal device to the transmitting side. The data is output to the Internet line and input to the CATV head end. Thereby, bi-directional data communication can be performed between the CATV head end and the receiving terminal device.

  The present invention is particularly effective when used in a CATV system. It is possible to construct a system that can selectively transmit information data to a terminal reception device according to a request without requiring a special device.

The block diagram which showed the whole system configuration | structure of this invention. The block diagram which showed the structure of the system which concerns on one specific Example of this invention. The block diagram which showed the multiplexing process in the system which concerns on one specific Example of this invention. The block diagram which showed arrangement | positioning of the VOD channel in the system which concerns on one specific Example of this invention. The flowchart which showed the whole process sequence which a receiving terminal device performs by a BML script. A BML script in which an instruction word for confirming whether the receiving terminal device has a function of receiving a VOD service is described. The flowchart which showed the process sequence for determining the receiving terminal device which can receive VOD service. The flowchart which showed the process sequence for pinpointing the trunk line to which the receiving terminal device of a request source is connected. The flowchart which showed the other process sequence for pinpointing the trunk line to which the receiving terminal device of a request origin is connected. The flowchart which showed the process sequence for selecting the program of a VOD service. Explanatory drawing which showed the program selection screen in a receiving terminal device. Explanatory drawing which showed the screen for inputting ID and a password in a receiving terminal device. The flowchart which showed the process sequence regarding the notification of the completion of the preparation of the program broadcast in VOD service. The flowchart which showed the other process sequence regarding the notification of the completion of the preparation of the program broadcast in a VOD service. The flowchart which showed the other process sequence regarding the notification of the completion of the preparation of the program broadcast in a VOD service. The flowchart which showed the channel selection procedure for receiving the program broadcast requested | required in VOD service. The flowchart which showed the procedure of the special reproduction | regeneration processing in VOD service. The flowchart which showed the process sequence for monitoring the reception state of a receiving terminal device. The flowchart which showed the process sequence for notifying the completion | finish of the program broadcast of VOD service. The flowchart which showed the other process sequence for notifying the completion | finish of the program broadcast of VOD service. The flowchart which showed the process sequence for complete | finishing the program broadcast of a VOD service. The block diagram which showed the structure of the event message transmitted as digital data broadcasting. Explanatory drawing explaining producing | generating the event message for sending trunk line information. Explanatory drawing which showed the other production | generation method of the event message for sending trunk line information. Explanatory drawing which showed the structure of the module sent out as digital data broadcasting. Explanatory drawing which showed the screen for performing special reproduction | regeneration processing in a receiving terminal device. Explanatory drawing which showed the BML script which performs IP communication. The block diagram which showed the example which implemented on-demand in the FTTH system. The block diagram of the system which performs a VOD service in the conventional CATV system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 200 ... Head end 201,202,221,222,241,242 ... VOD server 203,223,243,263 ... Multiplexer 204,224,244,264 ... Modulator 205,225,245 ... Distributor 209,229 , 249 ... Trunk line (CATV transmission line)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 210 ... Interactive server 211 ... Communication terminal device 212 ... Data broadcast transmission device 213 ... Schedule management server 215 ... Network 251 ... Reception terminal device 252 ... Television receiver 253 ... Remote control 254 ... IC card 256 ... BML script 257 ... Communication terminal Device 259 ... Communication line 261 ... Digital broadcast re-transmission device

Claims (13)

In the information data providing system in which the digital data broadcast is transmitted from the center and the terminal device receives the digital data broadcast and displays the image.
The center is
An information data storage device storing information data to be selectively transmitted in response to a request from the terminal device;
The terminal device is information for selecting the information data, the display data displayed on the screen, and the terminal device requests the center to transmit the information data selected based on the display data. A data broadcasting device for transmitting, as the digital data broadcast, a script describing a control procedure executed by the terminal device for receiving selected information data and displaying the selected information data in a data broadcasting description language;
Control data necessary for the terminal device to execute the control procedure and receive the information data is communicated with the terminal device, and information data to be transmitted is selected from the information data storage means. And a center control device that transmits via a free logical channel,
Have
The terminal device
A display device for displaying an image of the display data by the digital data broadcast;
An operation input device for giving an operation input to the display data displayed as an image;
By receiving the digital data broadcast from the center and executing the script, the selected information data transmission request and the selected information data transmitted from the center by the transmission request are tuned, A terminal controller that mutually communicates control data necessary to execute the control procedure between the center controllers;
An information data providing system characterized by comprising:   The information data providing system is a cable television system in which a television signal is distributed from the center to a plurality of trunk lines and broadcasted, and the information data and the digital data broadcast are transmitted in a frequency band for providing the information data. 2. The information data providing system according to claim 1, wherein the information is transmitted in a time division multiplexed manner.   The information data providing system is a system in which a transmission signal is distributed from the center to a plurality of trunk optical fiber transmission lines, and the information data and the digital data broadcast are time-shared in a frequency band for providing the information data. The information data providing system according to claim 1, wherein the information data providing system is a system that modulates and transmits light with multiplexed electrical signals. The data broadcasting device is a device that broadcasts data by attaching main line information including each main line ID to the event message for each main line,
The script is configured such that when the event message is received by the terminal control device, an interrupt process for transmitting a trunk line ID attached to the event message to the center control device is started. ,
The center control device specifies a trunk line to which the terminal device is connected based on the trunk line ID received from the terminal control device, and transmits the information data selected only to the trunk line. The information data providing system according to claim 2 or claim 3. The data broadcast device is a device that broadcasts data by including main line information with each main line ID for each main line in a module,
The script is configured such that when the contents of the module are updated, an interrupt process for transmitting the trunk line ID attached to the module to the center control device is started.
The center control device identifies the trunk line to which the terminal device is connected based on the trunk line ID received from the terminal control device, and transmits the selected information data only to the trunk line. The information data providing system according to claim 2 or 3. The terminal control device is a device for notifying the center control device by data communication of an ID of information data requesting transmission by the script,
The center control device reads the information data selected from the terminal device from the information data storage device, and when the preparation for transmission to the logical channel is completed, the center control device receives the preparation completion information Is a device that notifies by data communication,
6. The script according to claim 1, wherein the script performs a process of notifying an ID of the information data and a process of receiving the preparation completion information with a single function. Information data provision system. The terminal control device is a device for notifying the center control device by data communication of an ID of information data requesting transmission by the script,
The center control device is a device that, when receiving the ID of the information data, reads the information data selected from the terminal device from the information data storage device and transmits the information data to the logical channel. An interrupt process is generated at a predetermined time interval after an information data transmission request, and the center control device is inquired whether preparation for transmission of the information data is completed. The information data providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein The terminal control device is a device for notifying the center control device by data communication of an ID of information data requesting transmission by the script,
The center control device reads the information data selected from the terminal device from the information data storage device, and when the preparation for transmission to the logical channel is completed, the ready information and the ID of the terminal device to be received Is a device that broadcasts event messages with
When the event message is received at the terminal control device, the script decodes the preparation completion information attached to the event message, and determines that the center has completed preparation for transmission of information data. In the case, an interrupt process for starting a procedure that can be executed after the preparation for transmission of information data is completed is configured to be started. Information data provision system. The center control device is a device for notifying the terminal control device of a logical channel ID of a logical channel for transmitting the selected information data by data communication;
The terminal control device is a device that, by executing the script, executes data communication, receives a logical channel ID, and receives the information data on a logical channel specified by the ID. The information data providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The data broadcasting device is a device that broadcasts data by attaching a logical channel ID of a logical channel for transmitting the information data to an event message,
In the script, when the event message is received by the terminal control device, an interrupt process for receiving the information data on a logical channel specified by a logical channel ID attached to the event message is activated. The information data providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the information data providing system is configured as described above.   2. The terminal control device according to claim 1, wherein the terminal control device notifies the center control device by data communication of a viewing state of the terminal device by interruption processing at regular intervals by execution of the script. The information data providing system according to any one of 10.   2. The terminal control device according to claim 1, wherein the terminal control device makes an inquiry about the end of transmission of the information data to the center control device by data communication by interruption processing at regular intervals by execution of the script. Item 12. The information data providing system according to any one of Items 11. When the transmission of the information data is completed, the center control device is a device that broadcasts an event message with transmission end information and an ID of a terminal device to be received,
When the event message is received at the terminal control device, the script interprets the transmission end information attached to the event message, and determines that the center has finished transmitting the information data. The information data according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein an interrupt process for starting a procedure to be executed after reception of information data is started. Offer system.

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