JP2006050248A - Broadcast signal receiving apparatus and receiving method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a broadcast signal receiving apparatus capable of releasing inequality in the frequency of use of each time frame of a CM broadcast channel. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus is provided with channel selecting devices 1, 3 for switching between a usual program broadcast channel for transmitting usual program broadcast and any one of a plurality of CM broadcast channels for transmitting CM broadcast to receive the switched channel; a CM broadcast total reception time management unit 12 for receiving a signal for defining the total reception time of CM broadcast for the usual program broadcast, and managing the total reception time of the CM broadcast on the basis of this signal; and a control unit 11 for controlling the channel selected by the channel selecting devices so that the total reception time managed by the CM broadcast total reception time management unit is satisfied. When receiving the CM broadcast, the control unit inquires a broadcast station 20 for transmitting the usual program broadcast about a CM broadcast channel to be received. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a broadcast signal receiving apparatus and the like, and more particularly to a broadcast signal receiving apparatus that can alleviate a deviation in the frequency of use of a broadcast frame of a CM broadcast channel.

  In general, a broadcasting station that performs TV (television) broadcasting inserts a relatively short-time program broadcast called CM (commercial) broadcast before, during or after the program broadcast and broadcasts it as a normal program broadcast. On the device side, normal program broadcast signals (program broadcast signals, CM broadcast signals) sent from the broadcast station side are received and displayed in the order of sending.

Further, in Patent Document 1, a broadcast station broadcasts a plurality of channels for program broadcasting (program channels) and a plurality of channels for CM broadcasting (CM broadcast channels). The program broadcast and CM broadcast are received according to the CM broadcast reception timing and display time set in the reception pattern setting section, and the program broadcast and CM broadcast are alternately displayed on the monitor device.
JP-A-11-112896

  As described above, in general TV broadcasting, broadcast signals (program broadcast signals and CM broadcast signals) transmitted from the broadcast station side are received and displayed in the transmission order. For this reason, the time (CM broadcast frame) for receiving and displaying the CM broadcast is determined in advance regardless of the user's request.

  In the apparatus shown in Patent Document 1, a broadcast station broadcasts a plurality of channels for program broadcasting (normal program broadcast channels) and a plurality of channels for CM broadcasting (CM broadcast channels). The program broadcast and the CM broadcast are received according to the CM broadcast reception timing set in advance in the CM reception pattern setting section. The time for receiving and displaying the CM broadcast on the receiving device side (CM broadcast frame) can be changed by changing the reception timing set in the CM reception pattern setting unit.

  However, there are many cases where normal program programs are concentrated at the start time of the program such as 7:00 pm or 8:00 pm, and there are many scenes where the latter part is more interesting than the front part of the program. Considering such a tendency, it is conceivable that the CM broadcast frame reception requests are concentrated in the first half of the program as the reception pattern of the CM broadcast frame. Therefore, when the number of CM broadcast channels is small, the usage frequency of the broadcast frame varies greatly from time to time.

  The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and provides a broadcast signal receiving apparatus that can alleviate a deviation in the frequency of use of each time frame of a CM broadcast channel.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following means.

  A channel selection unit that switches between a normal program channel for transmitting a normal program broadcast and one of a plurality of CM broadcast channels for transmitting a CM broadcast, and a signal that defines a total reception time of the CM broadcast for the normal program broadcast Then, based on the signal, the control unit selects the CM broadcast total reception time management unit that manages the total reception time of the CM broadcast and the reception total time managed by the CM broadcast reception total time management unit. A control unit that controls a channel is provided, and the control unit inquires of a broadcast station that transmits the normal program broadcast about a CM broadcast channel to be received when the CM broadcast is received.

  Since the present invention has the above-described configuration, it is possible to provide a broadcast signal receiving apparatus that can alleviate a deviation in the usage frequency of CM broadcast channel broadcast frames.

  Hereinafter, the best embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 100 denotes a digital broadcast signal receiving apparatus, which includes, for example, a set top box (STB) that receives a broadcast signal from the CATV broadcasting station 20. Reference numeral 1 denotes a receiving unit of the receiving apparatus that selects a broadcast signal having a designated frequency and extracts a transport stream (TS). A demodulator 2 demodulates the modulated broadcast signal and performs error correction processing on the demodulated signal. Demultiplexer 3 extracts a necessary stream from the transport stream multiplexed by the transmission side multiplexer. An MPEG decoder 4 decodes a signal (video signal, audio signal) encoded according to the MPEG standard. Reference numeral 5 denotes a graphic controller, 6 denotes a video signal output unit, 13 denotes an audio signal output unit, and 7 denotes a monitor for reproducing the video signal and the audio signal.

  Reference numeral 9 denotes an upstream signal transmission unit, which transmits a signal from the receiving apparatus 100 side to the CATV broadcast station 20 side. A modulation unit 10 modulates a signal transmitted to the CATV broadcast station 20 side. Reference numeral 8 denotes an SI (program sequence) information analysis unit, which extracts program sequence information used for selecting a CM broadcast channel or program broadcast channel, displaying program information such as EPG, etc. from the broadcast signal, and extracting the signal. Is analyzed. A control unit 11 includes a channel selection button 11a, a CM selection button 11b, and a CM skip button 11c, and controls reception of broadcast signals and transmission of uplink signals via the bus 14. Reference numeral 12 denotes a CM broadcast reception time management unit that manages the total reception time of CM broadcasts, and stores a signal that defines the total reception time (or number of reception frames) of CM broadcasts with respect to normal program broadcasts (or normal program broadcast frames). The specified value storage unit 12a includes an actual value storage unit 12b that stores the total reception time (or the number of reception frames) of the CM broadcast actually received.

  A signal (stored value of the storage unit 12a) that defines the total reception time (or the number of reception frames) of the CM broadcast for the normal program broadcast (or the normal program broadcast frame) is received from the broadcast station side, and the CM defined by the signal The control unit selects the channel so that the signal indicating the total reception time (or the number of reception frames) of the actually received CM broadcast (the stored value of the storage unit 12b) satisfies the broadcast total reception time (or the number of reception frames). The switching of the normal program broadcast channel to the CM broadcast channel and the switching from the CM broadcast channel to the normal program broadcast channel are managed.

  Note that the number of CM broadcast frames can be set for each program broadcast as the total reception time of the CM broadcast. Further, it is desirable to preliminarily define a signal for defining the total reception time (CM broadcast frame) of the CM broadcast for the normal program broadcast (normal program broadcast frame) for each program. In the example of FIG. 1, the control unit includes a receiving unit 1 that selects a broadcast signal having a designated frequency and extracts a transport stream (TS), and a demultiplexer 3 that extracts a necessary stream from the extracted transport stream. The channel selection is performed under the control of 11.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a broadcast signal to be received by the receiving apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 2 (a) is a diagram for explaining an example in which each channel is multiplexed on the frequency axis. As shown in the figure, broadcast signals are CM broadcast channels 21a and 21b for always broadcasting CM broadcasts, and normal programs (CMs). A normal program broadcast channel 22a for broadcasting a broadcast frame).

  FIG. 2 (b) is a diagram for explaining an example in which each channel is multiplexed as a digital signal on the time axis. As shown in the figure, the broadcast signal is a CM broadcast channel 21a, 21b that always broadcasts a CM broadcast. Normal program broadcast channels 22a and 22b for broadcasting programs (including CM broadcast frames) are provided.

  Note that the number of normal program broadcast channels is not limited to one or two, but may be plural or singular. Further, the normal program broadcast channels 22a, 22b,... Can be channels that broadcast different program contents, or channels that broadcast the same program contents delayed by a predetermined time.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the channel selection operation by the control unit 11 and the CM broadcast reception time management unit 12. In FIG. 3, CM1 and CM2 indicate broadcast contents of CM broadcast channels CM1 and CM2 for broadcasting CM. As shown in the figure, the CM broadcast channels CM1 and CM2 have CM broadcast frames x, y, z, s... And z, x, y, s.

  TV1 indicates the broadcast content of the channel TV1 that broadcasts a normal program. As shown in the figure, the normal program broadcast channel TV1 includes normal program broadcast frames a, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, m, and CM broadcast frames b, k previously inserted as defaults. Have TV2 indicates the broadcast content of channel TV2 that is delayed by a time corresponding to the CM broadcast frame from the normal program broadcast channel TV1 (the broadcast content of TV2 is the same as that of TV1). Similarly, the TV 3 is broadcast with a delay from the TV 2 by a time corresponding to the CM broadcast frame.

  Note that a CM TV channel, a channel TV 3 that broadcasts a time corresponding to the CM broadcast frame, or a channel TV 1 that broadcasts in advance for a time corresponding to the CM broadcast frame, is delayed from the normal program broadcast channel TV 2 currently being received. Information to be identified can be obtained from the SI information analysis unit 8.

  Next, the channel selection operation by the control unit 11 and the CM broadcast reception time management unit 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the viewer starts reception, and selects a desired broadcast channel by operating the channel selection button 11a of the control unit 11 with reference to, for example, a program table analyzed by the SI information analysis unit and displayed on the monitor 7 To do. Upon receiving the selection input from the viewer, the control unit 11 controls the receiving unit 1 to select a broadcast signal of a designated frequency, extracts a transport stream (TS), and further controls the demultiplexer 3 A necessary stream is extracted from the transport stream, and the extracted stream is transmitted to the MPEG decoder 4. The MPEG decoder 4 decodes a signal (video signal, audio signal) encoded according to the MPEG standard, and supplies the decoded signal to the monitor 7 via the video signal output unit 6 and the audio signal output unit 13. Thereby, the viewer can appreciate the program of the selected channel (for example, the normal program broadcast channel TV2). In addition, the CM broadcast reception time management unit 12 starts integrating the total reception time of the CM broadcast simultaneously with the channel selection. However, when reception is started from the middle of the CM broadcast frame, it is preferable to set so that integration is not started until reception of the next CM broadcast is started.

  Next, it is determined whether the viewer has operated the CM selection button 11b of the control unit 11 to select a CM broadcast channel (CM selection operation). When the viewer does not perform any operation, the broadcast frames a to m including the CM broadcast frames b and k inserted as defaults are received in this order.

  Viewers have various preferences regarding viewing of program broadcasts, for example, when receiving CM broadcasts together in the first half of the program broadcasts, and in the latter half of the program broadcasts without CM broadcast frames, or conversely, the first half There is a case where the part appreciates a program without a CM broadcast frame and desires to set a CM broadcast frame collectively in the latter half. Here, first, the channel selection operation in the case where the viewer gathers the CM broadcast frame in the first half and desires to view the program without the CM broadcast frame in the second half will be described. It is assumed that the number of CM broadcast frames (2 in the example in the figure) is set in the stored value 12a of the CM broadcast reception time management unit 12 as the total reception time of the CM broadcast.

  In this case, for example, as a process for concentrating the CM broadcast frame in the first half, the viewer sets continuous reception of the CM broadcast frame in the first half of the program, and inputs this setting information to the CM broadcast reception time management unit 12. deep. When the viewer selects a desired channel as described above and is watching a program on the normal program broadcast channel TV2, for example, the first CM broadcast (broadcast frame b) inserted as a default at time t15. ) Is started, and at the time t20, the reception of this CM broadcast is completed.

  The CM broadcast reception time management unit 12 manages the number of received CM broadcast frames, and when this number does not reach the number of CM broadcast frames (= 2) defined as the total reception time of CM broadcasts, When continuous reception of the broadcast frame is set, the reception channel is switched to the CM broadcast channel (for example, CM1) via the control unit 11. In this state, reception of the CM broadcast (broadcast frame n of CM1) is continued.

  At this time, an inquiry is made to the CATV broadcast station 20 via the upstream signal transmission unit 9 as to which CM broadcast channel to be selected as the CM broadcast channel to be switched to, in this case, which of CM1 or CM2.

  On the CATV transmitting station 20 side, inquiries from the respective receiving devices 100a, 100b,... 100n are accepted, and the history of received reception requests is totaled so as to be equalized for a plurality of CM broadcast channels CM1, CM2. assign. In this example, channel CM1 is assigned to the receiving apparatus 100a. The allocated CM broadcast channel number is transmitted to each receiving apparatus by a method such as multiplexing with a program broadcast signal. Each receiving apparatus continues to receive the CM broadcast of the assigned channel number (CM broadcast frame n in this example). This prevents the usage frequency of each broadcast frame of the CM broadcast channels CM1 and CM2 from being biased to a specific CM broadcast frame.

  When a reply to the inquiry cannot be received from the CATV broadcast station 20 within a predetermined time, a CM broadcast channel to be received is randomly selected from the plurality of CM broadcast channels. This method can also prevent the use frequency of each broadcast frame of the CM broadcast channels CM1 and CM2 from being biased to a specific CM broadcast frame.

  When the reception of the CM broadcast (CM broadcast frame n) is continued and reception of one reception frame is completed, the CM broadcast reception time management unit 12 delays the same program as the broadcast program of the original normal program broadcast channel (TV2). Switch to another normal program broadcast channel (TV 3) that is broadcasting at the set time. Thus, the viewer sets the program broadcast frame a of the normal program broadcast channel (TV2), the CM broadcast frame b, the CM broadcast frame n of the CM broadcast channel (CM), and the program broadcast frame c of the normal program broadcast channel (TV3). You can watch continuously. That is, it is possible to appreciate a program in which the CM broadcast frame is concentrated in the first half of the program. Note that after the number of received CM broadcast frames reaches the number of CM broadcast frames as the total reception time of the CM broadcast, that is, after the stored value of the storage unit 12a and the stored value of the storage unit 12b coincide, It is desirable to prohibit switching to the channel or skip the default CM broadcast frame. As a result, it is possible to prevent the viewer from receiving unnecessary CM broadcasts more than specified by mistake.

  For example, when the normal program broadcast channel (TV3) is received, the CM broadcast frame k appears after the program broadcast frame j in the latter half of the program. However, in this case, reception of the number of CM broadcast frames (2 in the example in the figure) set as the total reception time of the CM broadcast has been completed. Therefore, the CM broadcast reception time management unit 12 switches to the other normal program broadcast channel (TV2) that broadcasts the same program as the broadcast program of the normal program broadcast channel (TV3) in the preceding time. Thereby, it is possible to skip (avoid) reception of the normal program broadcast channel (TV3) CM broadcast frame k. With these operations, the CM broadcast frame is moved to the first half of the program.

  In the above example, the example of automatically shifting to the CM broadcast frame n of the CM broadcast channel (CM1) following the end of reception of the CM broadcast frame has been described. However, the viewer can select the viewer at any time, for example, at time t25. Time for delaying the same program as the original normal program broadcast after a predetermined time by operating the CM selection button 11b to switch the reception channel from the normal program broadcast channel (TV2) to the CM broadcast channel (broadcast frame p). You may make it switch to the other normal program broadcast channel (TV3) currently broadcast by.

  On the other hand, if the viewer gathers CM broadcast frames in the second half of the program and wants to watch programs without the CM broadcast frame in the first half, the viewer can use the program as a process for concentrating the CM broadcast frames in the second half. The continuous reception of the CM broadcast frame in the latter half is set, and this setting information is input to the CM broadcast reception time management unit 12 in advance. When the viewer is watching the program on the normal program broadcast channel TV2, reception of the first CM broadcast (broadcast frame b) is started at time t15. At this time, the viewer operates the CM skip button 11c of the control unit 11 to switch to the other normal program broadcast channel (TV1) broadcasting the same program as the normal program broadcast channel TV2 in the preceding time (CM skip operation). ). Thereby, reception of the normal program broadcast channel (TV2) CM broadcast frame b can be avoided. That is, the CM broadcast frame b can be moved to the second half of the program.

  When the normal program broadcast channel (TV1) is received in this state, the CM broadcast frame k appears after the program broadcast frame j in the latter half of the program. The CM broadcast reception time management unit 12 manages the number of received CM broadcast frames, and when this number does not reach the number of CM broadcast frames (= 2) defined as the total reception time of CM broadcasts, When continuous reception of the broadcast frame is set, the reception channel is switched to the CM broadcast channel (CM) via the control unit 11 after the reception of the CM broadcast frame k is completed. In this state, the CM broadcast (CM broadcast frame p) continues to be received, so that the viewer can program broadcast frame a of the normal program broadcast channel (TV2) and program broadcast frames c and d of the normal program broadcast channel (TV1). ,..., K, the broadcast frame p of the CM broadcast channel, and the program broadcast frame m of the normal program broadcast channel (TV2) can be viewed in succession. That is, it is possible to appreciate a program in which the CM broadcast frame is concentrated in the latter half of the program.

  The above description is based on the premise that there are channels TV2 and TV3 that broadcast with a delay corresponding to the CM broadcast frame from the normal program broadcast channel TV1 and the normal program broadcast channel TV1, respectively. However, when a delayed broadcast signal cannot be obtained in this way, a recording / playback device is provided, the preceding signal is recorded by the device, and the delayed broadcast is performed by playing back after a time corresponding to the delay time. A signal corresponding to the signal to be processed can be obtained. In this case, it is possible to arbitrarily set the delay time, and it is possible to respond flexibly regardless of the time width of the CM broadcast frame.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the CM broadcast frame can be moved. Therefore, it is possible to realize a program organization that matches the viewer's preference. Further, when switching from the normal program broadcast channel to the CM broadcast channel, the CATV broadcast station 20 is inquired about the CM broadcast channel number of the switching destination, and the CATV broadcast station 20 accepts inquiries from the respective receiving devices 100a, 100b,. The received reception request histories are totaled and assigned to be equal to a plurality of CM broadcast channels CM1 and CM2. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the CM broadcast reception requests from being concentrated on the specific CM broadcast frame of the specific CM broadcast channel. Therefore, it is possible to alleviate the bias in the frequency of use of the broadcast frame of the CM broadcast channel, and to simplify the work of knitting the CM broadcast frame.

It is a figure explaining the broadcast signal receiving device concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the structure of the broadcast signal made into the reception object by the receiver of this invention. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of a channel selection operation by the control unit 11. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Reception part 2 Demodulation part 3 Demultiplexer 4 MPEG decoder 5 Graphic controller 6 Video signal output part 7 Monitor 8 SI information analysis part 9 Upstream signal transmission part 10 Modulation part 11 Control part 12 CM broadcast reception time management part 13 Audio signal output part 20 CATV broadcasting stations 100a, 100b ... 100n Set top box

Claims (5)

A channel selection unit for switching and receiving a normal program channel for transmitting a normal program broadcast and one of a plurality of CM broadcast channels for transmitting a CM broadcast;
A CM broadcast total reception time management unit that receives a signal that defines the total reception time of the CM broadcast for the normal program broadcast, and manages the total reception time of the CM broadcast based on the signal;
A control unit that controls the channel selected by the control unit so as to satisfy the total reception time managed by the CM broadcast reception total time management unit;
The control unit makes an inquiry about a CM broadcast channel to be received when receiving a CM broadcast to a broadcast station that transmits the normal program broadcast and the CM broadcast. The broadcast signal receiving device according to claim 1,
A broadcast signal receiving apparatus, wherein, when an answer to the inquiry cannot be received, a CM broadcast channel to be received is randomly selected from the plurality of CM broadcast channels. A broadcast station that transmits a normal program broadcast and a CM broadcast including a plurality of CM broadcast channels;
A control unit that switches between a program channel that transmits a normal program broadcast and one of a plurality of CM broadcast channels that transmit a CM broadcast, and controls the control unit to define the total reception time of the CM broadcast for the normal program broadcast A plurality of receiving devices having a CM broadcast total reception time management unit that manages values, and a channel selection control unit that inquires a broadcast station about a CM broadcast channel to be received when receiving a CM broadcast,
The broadcasting station holds a history of responses to inquiries from each receiving device, and replies by randomly specifying channels to be received so that channel selection of receiving devices for each CM broadcast channel is distributed. system. Receives a signal that defines the total reception time of a normal program broadcast, a CM broadcast including a plurality of CM broadcast channels, and a CM broadcast for a normal program broadcast from a broadcasting station,
Until the above-mentioned rule is satisfied, when a channel selection operation signal for switching from a program channel that transmits a normal program broadcast to a CM broadcast channel that transmits a CM broadcast is received, the broadcast station is inquired about the CM broadcast channel to be selected and broadcasted. A broadcast signal receiving method, wherein a channel is selected based on an answer from a station. The broadcast signal receiving method according to claim 4, wherein
A broadcast signal receiving method comprising: selecting a CM broadcast channel to be received at random from the plurality of CM broadcast channels when an answer to the inquiry cannot be received.

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