JP2008177971A - Receiver control system, transmitter and receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To transmit control information such as a recording reservation instruction from a terminal outside a network to a specific receiver in the network in a CATV network comprised of a transmitter and at least one receiver. <P>SOLUTION: The receiver transmits information about a selected channel to the transmitter in channel selection, in the transmitter, when a request such as recording reservation to a specific receiver is accepted from a terminal outside the network, an applicable receiver multiplexes an instruction signal such as the recording reservation to data of data broadcast of a channel at a selected state by a data broadcast format to be transmitted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a control system for a receiving device that controls the receiving device in video distribution, and to a transmitting device and a receiving device that constitute the receiving device control system.

  2. Description of the Related Art A mechanism for retransmitting broadcast programs such as satellite broadcasts and terrestrial broadcasts to their own wired transmission paths has been realized in cable operators such as CATV (CAble TeleVision) operators. In addition, a CATV provider has provided a new service that allows a user to record a program retransmitted on a wired transmission path at home by giving the receiving device a data storage function.

  On the other hand, some commercially available recording apparatuses have a network function, and in addition to recording at home and recording reservation, a service for recording reservation from a mobile phone or the like is also realized. When a recording device having a home network function acquires a fixed global IP (Internet Protocol) address, a user can access the home recording device from a mobile phone via a server on the Internet. In general, the IP address assigned to the recording device is mostly a local IP address whose value may change every time. Called NAT (Network Address Translation), which enables equivalent access to the Internet from a recording device to which only a local IP address is assigned by mutually converting the original global IP address that can be used So that the location is installed in the home. However, an external mobile phone cannot directly access a home recording device beyond the NAT.

  In order to solve this problem, for example, in Patent Document 1, a client connected under NAT uses a server called an IM server (Instant Messaging server), and the other client is identical to the other client. Prior art has been disclosed that allows easy and direct communication regardless of whether or not it is connected under a NAT. By utilizing this technology, it becomes possible to access from a mobile phone to a home recording device having a local IP address.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional receiving apparatus control system disclosed in Patent Document 1. In FIG.

  In FIG. 10, a client X11 and a client X12 are each connected to the IM server X21 via the Internet X30 and registered in the IM server X21. The client X11 is connected to the IM server X21 via the NAT device X41. And whether the registered address of the client X12 is the same. The IM server X21 checks whether or not both addresses are the same, and notifies the client X11 of the determination result. When the determination result notified from the IM server X21 is not the same, the client X11 performs communication processing with the client X12 using the global address, and when it is the same, performs communication processing with the client X12 using the local address.

  Also, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses a related art related to a broadcast receiving apparatus and a broadcast system with a recording function capable of making a recording reservation from a remote place such as a place where the user is going to record a broadcast program using the broadcast system. Is disclosed.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional receiving apparatus control system disclosed in Patent Document 2. In FIG.

In FIG. 11, the recording reservation reception center Y02 receives recording reservation data transmitted from the mobile phone Y01. The recording reservation reception center Y02 transmits a broadcast signal to the broadcast satellite Y04 of the broadcast center Y03 with the reservation data superimposed. Receiving device Y05 that has received a broadcast signal transmitted from broadcast satellite Y04 of broadcast center Y03 controls recording reservation only when authenticated as a legitimate user, and records the program reserved for recording in built-in hard disk Y06. . The recording reservation state is transmitted in the form of an e-mail to the mobile phone Y01 via the e-mail service provider Y07.
JP 2004-173240 A JP 2004-96395 A

  In the case of a network of CATV stations, a relay device called a CMTS (Cable Modem Termination System) is set between the receiving device and the center. Usually, a device for managing which receiving device is connected to which CMTS is connected. not exist. Therefore, the receiving apparatus cannot be directly accessed from the outside. In Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 10, it is possible to directly communicate directly with another client using the IM server X21 regardless of whether or not the other client is connected under the same NAT. However, there is no means for the IM server X21 to know which receiving device exists under which CMTS, and eventually the receiving device is accessed from a device outside the network to which the receiving device is connected. For example, there is a problem that a receiving device inside the CATV network cannot be accessed from a mobile phone outside the CATV network.

  In Patent Document 2, since broadcast waves are used as shown in FIG. 11, information can be transmitted to the receiving device Y05 from the outside of the network to which the receiving device Y05 is connected. Since it is not known which broadcast channel is being received, there is a problem that even if information is multiplexed only on a specific broadcast channel, it cannot always be received by the receiving device Y05. In addition, in order to ensure reception at the receiving device Y05, it is necessary to multiplex information to all broadcast channels broadcast from the broadcast center Y03 via the broadcast satellite Y04. It had the problem of occupying many.

  The present invention solves such problems. In a broadcasting system in which a transmitting station (transmitting apparatus) and at least one receiving apparatus are connected by a network, the transmitting station (transmitting apparatus) receives from an apparatus outside the network. When data related to command information such as program recording reservation information for a specific receiving device (A) is transmitted to the receiving device (A) via the network, the data related to the command information is converted into a data broadcasting format and broadcast. Each time a broadcast channel is selected, the receiving device transmits the selected broadcast channel to the transmitting station (transmitting device) and selects it by itself. The broadcasting station (transmitting device) is informed of the broadcast channel being transmitted, and the transmitting station (transmitting device) is assigned to the receiving device (b) from outside the network. When the command information such as the recording reservation information is received, the command information such as the program recording reservation information is added only to the data broadcast data related to the broadcast program of the broadcast channel currently selected by the receiving device (a) that is grasped in advance. An object of the present invention is to provide a function that allows a receiving apparatus to reliably receive command information such as program recording reservation without occupying a large band by transmitting in a multiplexed manner.

To achieve the above object, the receiver control system according to the first invention of the present application is connected to each other via the first network, and transmits video / audio data of a broadcast program, data of data broadcast, etc. as a digital broadcast program. A receiving device control system comprising a transmitting device and at least one receiving device that receives the digital broadcast program transmitted by the transmitting device via the first network,
The transmission device includes: a digital broadcast receiving unit that receives the digital broadcast program such as terrestrial digital broadcast; a data generation unit that generates a signal of a data broadcast format such as terrestrial digital broadcast; and a signal generated by the data generation unit And program information generating means for generating program information necessary for receiving a signal such as video / audio data of a broadcast program by the receiving device, the signal of the digital broadcast program from the digital broadcast receiving means, and the data generation MUX (Multiplexer) means for performing processing such as conversion or multiplexing so that signals generated by the means and signals of the program information generated by the program information generation means can be transmitted to the first network; , A signal of the digital broadcast program or the like processed by the MUX means Transmitting means for transmitting to the network, first communication means for communicating with the receiving device or the like via the first network, and second communication means for communicating with a communication information terminal or the like via the second network A command receiving means for receiving / processing command information to the specific receiving device received via the second network and the second communication means; and an identifier or the first communication means via the first communication means. Data holding means for holding / managing information related to the receiving device such as a channel being selected received from the receiving device for each receiving device is provided, and the data generating unit is configured to receive the specific reception by the command receiving unit. Each time the command information for the apparatus is received, the received command information is converted into a data broadcast format signal and held / managed by the data holding means. The information is transmitted to the MUX means together with information such as an identifier relating to the specific receiving device, and the MUX means transmits the signal transmitted from the data generating means to the channel of the digital broadcast program received by the digital broadcast receiving means. The specific receiving device held / managed by the data holding means multiplexes the data broadcast data on the channel being selected, and is changed / generated by the program information generating means along with this multiplexing. The program information is multiplexed, and these signals are transmitted as new digital broadcast program signals to the transmission means. The transmission means receives the new digital broadcast program signals received from the MUX means. 1 to the network of 1
The receiving device includes: a receiving unit that receives the digital broadcast program transmitted from the transmitting device via the first network; an analyzing unit that analyzes a signal received by the receiving unit; and the first network Communication means for communicating with the transmission device via the communication means, and at the time of channel switching and / or power ON, information on the channel selected by the reception means is transmitted from the communication means via the first network. The digital broadcast program is transmitted to the first communication means of the transmission device, the digital broadcast program is received by the reception means at the time of viewing or powering on, and the data broadcast included in the digital broadcast program received by the reception means is received. When the data is analyzed by the analyzing means, and as a result, it is confirmed that the specific command information for the receiving device is included. Is to perform the process based on the specific of the instruction information, it is characterized in.

In addition, a receiving device control system according to a second invention of the present application is connected to each other via a first network and transmits a video / audio data of a broadcast program, data of data broadcasting, etc. as a digital broadcast program, and the transmission A receiving device control system comprising at least one receiving device for receiving the digital broadcast program transmitted by the device via the first network,
The transmission device includes: a digital broadcast receiving unit that receives the digital broadcast program such as terrestrial digital broadcast; a data generation unit that generates a signal of a data broadcast format such as terrestrial digital broadcast; and a signal generated by the data generation unit And program information generating means for generating program information necessary for receiving a signal such as video / audio data of a broadcast program by the receiving device, the signal of the digital broadcast program from the digital broadcast receiving means, and the data generation MUX (Multiplexer) means for performing processing such as conversion or multiplexing so that signals generated by the means and signals of the program information generated by the program information generation means can be transmitted to the first network; , A signal of the digital broadcast program or the like processed by the MUX means Transmitting means for transmitting to the network, first communication means for communicating with the receiving device or the like via the first network, and second communication means for communicating with a communication information terminal or the like via the second network A command receiving means for receiving / processing command information to the specific receiving device received via the second network and the second communication means; and an identifier or the first communication means via the first communication means. Data holding means for holding / managing information related to the receiving device such as a channel being selected received from the receiving device for each receiving device is provided, and the data generating unit is configured to receive the specific reception by the command receiving unit. Each time the command information for the device is received, the received command information is converted into a data broadcast format signal and transmitted to the data holding means, and the data is stored. In the holding means, the information is held / stored in association with information such as an identifier relating to the specific receiving device held / managed by the data holding means, and if the receiving device accesses the transmitting device, it is addressed to itself. The command information and the like can be obtained in a data broadcasting format and transmitted to the MUX means, the MUX means, the access information transmitted from the data generation means, the access information In addition to multiplexing the data broadcast data in at least one channel of the digital broadcast program received by the digital broadcast receiving means, the program information changed / generated by the program information generating means along with the multiplexing is multiplexed, Transmitting a signal to the transmission means as a signal of the new digital broadcast program;
The transmission means transmits the signal of the new digital broadcast program received from the MUX means to the first network and receives the signal via the first network and the first communication means. When the command information corresponding to the transmission request is held in the data holding means in response to the transmission request for the command information addressed to the user, the command information corresponding to the transmission request is Transmitting to the receiving device via the first communication means and the first network, etc.,
The receiving device includes: a receiving unit that receives the digital broadcast program transmitted from the transmitting device via the first network; an analyzing unit that analyzes a signal received by the receiving unit; and the first network Communication means for communicating with the transmitting device via the receiver, the data broadcast data included in the digital broadcast program received by the receiving means is analyzed by the analyzing means to obtain the access information, and the analysis Based on the access information acquired by the means, the communication means accesses the access destination in the transmission device via the first network and transmits the transmission request for the command information addressed to itself. And receiving the command information addressed to itself transmitted from the transmission device via the first network by the communication means. In and executes a process based on the instruction information addressed to themselves received, it is characterized in.

In addition, a receiving device control system according to a third invention of the present application is connected to each other via a first network and transmits a video / audio data of a broadcast program, data of a data broadcast, etc. as a digital broadcast program, and the transmission A receiving device control system comprising at least one receiving device for receiving the digital broadcast program transmitted by the device via the first network,
The transmission device generates a digital broadcast receiving means for receiving the digital broadcast program such as terrestrial digital broadcast and a data broadcast format signal such as terrestrial digital broadcast, and generates data of a data broadcast service of a command information dedicated channel. Data generating means, and data received by the digital broadcast receiving means, data of a data broadcasting service for a command information dedicated channel generated by the data generating means, etc. Program information generating means to be changed or generated, the signal of the digital broadcast program from the digital broadcast receiving means, the signal generated by the data generating means, the signal of the program information generated by the program information generating means, etc. Convert or multiplex signals so that they can be sent to the first network MUX (Multiplexer) means for performing processing, transmission means for transmitting a signal such as the digital broadcast program processed in the MUX means to the first network, and the receiving device via the first network Received via the second network and the second communication means, the first communication means for communicating with the communication information terminal, etc. via the second network Command receiving means for receiving / processing command information to a specific receiving device, and data holding means for holding / managing information relating to the receiving device such as an identifier for each receiving device, the data generating means includes the command Each time the command information for the specific receiving device is received by the receiving means, the received command information is converted into a data broadcast format. It is converted into a signal, and is generated as data of the data broadcasting service of the command information dedicated channel together with information such as an identifier related to the specific receiving device held / managed by the data holding means, and is transmitted to the MUX means. Further, the program information such as PAT (Program Association Table), PMT (Program Map Table) and NIT (Network Information Table) related to the digital broadcast program being received from the digital broadcast receiving means is received, and these are received by the program. The program information generating means adds the data broadcasting service of the command information dedicated channel to the head of the NIT service list received from the data generating means, and the data The PAT and the PMT received from the generation means are changed with the addition of the data broadcasting service for the command information dedicated channel, and the NIT, the PAT and the PMT which are added or changed are transmitted to the MUX means. The MUX means is added to the digital broadcast program transmitted from the digital broadcast receiving means in the data broadcast service data of the dedicated command information channel transmitted from the data generating means, or in the program information generating means. The changed NIT, PAT, and PMT signals are multiplexed, and these signals are transmitted as new digital broadcast program signals to the transmitting means. The transmitting means receives the new signals received from the MUX means. Sending the digital broadcast program signal to the first network Is shall,
The receiving device includes: a receiving unit that receives the digital broadcast program transmitted from the transmitting device via the first network; an analyzing unit that analyzes a signal received by the receiving unit; and the first network Communication means that communicates with the transmission device via the network, and at the start of viewing and / or when the power is turned on, regardless of the channel being selected, the reception means first performs the service of the network information table (NIT). The data broadcasting service of the command information dedicated channel positioned at the top of the list is received, the data of the data broadcasting service of the command information dedicated channel received by the receiving means is analyzed by the analyzing means, and as a result Having the specific command information for the receiving device of If you sure to perform the process based on the specific of the instruction information, then, is to receive the digital broadcast program of the channel in the channel selection, it is characterized in.

A transmitting device according to a fourth invention of the present application is a transmitting device that constitutes the receiving device control system according to the first invention of the present application,
Digital broadcast receiving means for receiving the digital broadcast program such as terrestrial digital broadcast, data generation means for generating a signal of a data broadcast format such as terrestrial digital broadcast, signals generated by the data generation means and video of the broadcast program Program information generating means for generating program information necessary for receiving signals such as audio data by the receiving device, signals of the digital broadcast program from the digital broadcast receiving means, generated by the data generating means A MUX (Multiplexer) means for performing processing such as conversion or multiplexing so that a signal and a signal of the program information generated by the program information generation means can be transmitted to the first network; and the MUX means The processed signal such as the digital broadcast program is sent to the first network. Transmitting means, first communication means for communicating with the receiving device or the like via the first network, second communication means for communicating with a communication information terminal or the like via the second network, and the first Instruction receiving means for receiving / processing instruction information to the specific receiving device received via the second network and the second communication means, and from the receiving device via the identifier or the first communication means Data holding means for holding / managing information on the receiving device such as a received channel being selected for each receiving device;
The data generation unit converts the received command information into a signal of a data broadcast format each time the command receiving unit receives the command information for the specific receiving device, and holds / manages it in the data holding unit The digital broadcast program is transmitted to the MUX means together with information such as an identifier related to the specific receiving device, and the MUX means receives the signal transmitted from the data generating means by the digital broadcast receiving means. Of these channels, the specific receiving device held / managed by the data holding means multiplexes the data broadcast data on the channel being selected, and the program information generating means changes in accordance with this multiplexing. / The generated program information is multiplexed, and these signals are used as new digital broadcast program signals. The transmitted to the transmitting unit, the transmission unit, is characterized in transmitting a signal of a new said digital broadcast program received from the MUX unit to the first network.

A transmitting device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a transmitting device that constitutes the receiving device control system according to the second aspect of the present invention,
Digital broadcast receiving means for receiving the digital broadcast program such as terrestrial digital broadcast, data generation means for generating a signal of a data broadcast format such as terrestrial digital broadcast, signals generated by the data generation means and video of the broadcast program Program information generating means for generating program information necessary for receiving signals such as audio data by the receiving device, signals of the digital broadcast program from the digital broadcast receiving means, generated by the data generating means A MUX (Multiplexer) means for performing processing such as conversion or multiplexing so that a signal and a signal of the program information generated by the program information generation means can be transmitted to the first network; and the MUX means The processed signal such as the digital broadcast program is sent to the first network. Transmitting means, first communication means for communicating with the receiving device or the like via the first network, second communication means for communicating with a communication information terminal or the like via the second network, and the first Instruction receiving means for receiving / processing instruction information to the specific receiving device received via the second network and the second communication means, and from the receiving device via the identifier or the first communication means Data holding means for holding / managing information on the receiving device such as a received channel being selected for each receiving device;
The data generation unit converts the received command information into a data broadcast format signal and transmits it to the data holding unit every time the command receiving unit receives the command information for the specific receiving device. The data holding unit stores / stores the data holding unit in association with information such as an identifier related to the specific receiving device held / managed by the data holding unit, and the receiving device is accessed anywhere in the transmitting device. If it is possible to obtain the command information addressed to itself, the access information is generated in a data broadcast format and transmitted to the MUX means, and the MUX means transmits the access information transmitted from the data generation means. At least one channel of the digital broadcast program received by the digital broadcast receiving means In addition to multiplexing the data broadcast data, the program information changed / generated by the program information generating means in accordance with the multiplexing is multiplexed, and these signals are transmitted as new digital broadcast program signals to the transmitting means. The transmitting means transmits the new digital broadcast program signal received from the MUX means to the first network, and is received via the first network and the first communication means. When the command information corresponding to the transmission request is held in the data holding means in response to a transmission request for the command information addressed to itself from the receiving device, the command information corresponding to the transmission request, etc. Is transmitted to the receiving device via the first communication means and the first network. .

A transmitting device according to a sixth invention of the present application is a transmitting device that constitutes the receiving device control system according to the third invention of the present application,
A digital broadcast receiving means for receiving the digital broadcast program such as terrestrial digital broadcast; a data generating means for generating a signal of a data broadcast format such as terrestrial digital broadcast and generating data of a data broadcast service of a command information dedicated channel; A program for changing or generating program information necessary for receiving the data received by the digital broadcast receiving means or the data broadcasting service data of the command information dedicated channel generated by the data generating means by the receiving device A signal such as an information generation means, a signal of the digital broadcast program from the digital broadcast reception means, a signal generated by the data generation means and a signal of the program information generated by the program information generation means; Processing such as conversion or multiplexing so that it can be sent to one network A UX (Multiplexer) unit, a transmission unit that transmits a signal such as the digital broadcast program processed by the MUX unit to the first network, and the reception device via the first network A first communication means, a second communication means for communicating with a communication information terminal or the like via a second network,
Command receiving means for receiving / processing command information to the specific receiving device received via the second network and the second communication means, and information on the receiving device such as an identifier for each receiving device. Data holding means for holding / managing,
The data generation unit converts the received command information into a signal of a data broadcast format each time the command receiving unit receives the command information for the specific receiving device, and holds / manages it in the data holding unit Is generated as data of the data broadcasting service of the command information dedicated channel together with information such as an identifier related to the specific receiving device being transmitted, transmitted to the MUX means, and further received from the digital broadcasting receiving means. The program information such as PAT (Program Association Table), PMT (Program Map Table) and NIT (Network Information Table) related to the broadcast program is received and transmitted to the program information generation means, and the program information generation means The command information dedicated channel data broadcasting service is added to the head of the NIT service list received from the data generating means, and the command information dedicated channel is added to the PAT and the PMT received from the data generating means. The NIT, the PAT, and the PMT that have been added or changed are added to the MUX means, and the digital broadcast program transmitted from the digital broadcast receiving means is added. In addition, the data broadcast service data of the command information dedicated channel transmitted from the data generation means and the signals such as the NIT, the PAT and the PMT added or changed in the program information generation means are multiplexed, and New digital release of the signal Transmitted as program signal to said transmitting means, said transmitting means is characterized by transmitting a signal of a new said digital broadcast program received from the MUX unit to the first network.

Further, a receiving device of a seventh invention of the present application is a receiving device constituting the receiving device control system according to the first invention of the present application,
Receiving means for receiving the digital broadcast program transmitted from the transmitting device via the first network; analyzing means for analyzing a signal received by the receiving means; and the transmission via the first network. Comprising communication means for communicating with the device, etc.
At the time of channel switching and / or power ON, information on the channel selected by the receiving unit is transmitted from the communication unit to the first communication unit of the transmission device via the first network, The receiving means receives the digital broadcast program at the time of viewing or powering on, and the data broadcasting data included in the digital broadcast program received by the receiving means is analyzed by the analyzing means. When it is confirmed that the specific command information for the apparatus is included, processing based on the specific command information is executed.

A receiving device according to an eighth invention of the present application is a receiving device constituting the receiving device control system according to the second invention of the present application,
Receiving means for receiving the digital broadcast program transmitted from the transmitting device via the first network; analyzing means for analyzing a signal received by the receiving means; and the transmission via the first network. Comprising communication means for communicating with the device, etc.
The data broadcast data included in the digital broadcast program received by the receiving means is analyzed by the analyzing means to obtain the access information, and based on the access information obtained by the analyzing means, the communication means from the communication means The access destination in the transmission device is accessed via the first network, the transmission request for the command information addressed to itself is transmitted, and the transmission device transmits the command information via the first network based on the transmission request. The command information addressed to itself is received by the communication means, and processing based on the command information addressed to itself received by the communication means is executed.

A receiving device according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is a receiving device constituting the receiving device control system according to the third aspect of the present invention,
Receiving means for receiving the digital broadcast program transmitted from the transmitting device via the first network; analyzing means for analyzing a signal received by the receiving means; and the transmission via the first network. Comprising communication means for communicating with the device, etc.
At the start of viewing and / or when the power supply operating at a predetermined time period is turned on, regardless of the channel being selected, the reception means is first positioned at the top of the service list of the NIT (Network Information Table) Receiving the data broadcasting service of the command information dedicated channel, analyzing the data of the data broadcasting service of the command information dedicated channel received by the receiving means by the analyzing means; When it is confirmed that the command information is included, processing based on the specific command information is executed, and then the digital broadcast program of the channel being selected is received. is there.

  According to the receiving apparatus control system of the present invention, it is possible to control program recording reservation or the like for a recording apparatus in the CATV network from a mobile phone outside the CATV network.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a receiving apparatus control system in a CATV network according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The CATV network will be described as an example of the first network, and the Internet will be described as an example of the second network. However, the network form is not particularly limited to this.

  In FIG. 1, a CATV station (transmitting device) 110 includes an Ethernet (registered trademark) signal and a 64 QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) in order for a receiving device (STB: Set Top Box) 100 to communicate with the CATV station 110 via the CATV network 120. ) Information on the receiving apparatus 100 received from the CMTS 111 and the receiving apparatus 100 via the CATV network 120, and the CMTS 111 constituting the first communication means together with the communication unit 2121 of the server 112, which will be described later, A server 112 having a function of holding / managing control information and the like for the receiving device 100 that receives from the external mobile phone 150 via the Internet 140, and video / sound of broadcast programs such as terrestrial digital broadcast Digital broadcast receiving means 115 for receiving data, data of data broadcasting, and the like, digital broadcast program signals transmitted from the digital broadcast receiving means 115, data signals for data broadcasting and program information signals transmitted from the server 112 And the like. MUX (Multiplexer) means 114 that converts and multiplexes signals so that they can be transmitted to CATV network 120, and the signal from MUX means 114 is modulated by 64QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation), and the modulated signal is converted to CATV. A QAM 113 having a function as a transmission means (not shown) for transmitting to the network 120 is configured.

  On the other hand, the receiving device (STB) 100 receives a program selected by the user and performs QAM demodulation, and receives a TS (Transport Stream) signal demodulated by the tuner unit 101 from the tuner unit 101. A TS decoding unit 102 that decodes and processes a TS signal of a selected program, and a BML (Broadcast Markup Language) such as a data broadcast included in the signal decoded by the receiving unit 107 configured by the tuner unit 101 and the TS decoding unit 102 ) BML analysis means 103 for analyzing and processing data, display means 104 for generating a display signal for displaying received data on a TV (TeleVision) 130, and communication means 106 for performing processing for communication with the outside , Live in communication means 106 A cable modem 105 to communicate by converting the signal into a format suitable for CATV network 120 and the various control in the receiving device 100 Tenohiraru control means (not shown) or the like. This control means is generally realized by a processor or the like mounted on the receiving apparatus 100.

  In addition, when making a program recording reservation for the receiving device 100 at home connected to the CATV network 120, the mobile phone 150 activates an existing browser or the like, inputs a URL (Uniform Resource Locator), etc. The server 112 of the CATV station 110 is accessed via 140.

  Note that the method of accessing by the mobile phone 150 is not particularly limited to the above method.

  Next, the configuration of the server 112 in the CATV station 110 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the server 112.

  In FIG. 2, the server 112 receives digital broadcast SI (Service Information) information from the second communication means 2127 that communicates via the Internet 140 and the digital broadcast reception means 115 that receives digital broadcast waves such as terrestrial digital broadcasts. Menu generation means 2126 for generating program guide data, menu distribution means 2125 for distributing the program guide data generated by the menu generation means 2126 to the Internet 140 via the second communication means 2127, and an external Command receiving means 2124 for receiving command information such as reservation execution from the mobile phone 150 etc. via the second communication means 2127, and commands such as reservation execution from the external mobile phone 150 received by the command receiving means 2124 Information and data held / managed by data holding means (to be described later) Data generating means 2123 for generating command information such as reservation execution to be multiplexed on the digital broadcast signal based on the data being stored, etc., and data of instruction information such as reservation execution generated by the data generating means 2123 is digitally broadcast Program information generating means 2122 for generating or changing program information for enabling reception by the mobile phone, identification information such as the telephone number of the mobile phone 150, customer information of customers subscribed to the CATV station 110, etc. The data holding unit 2128 to be managed, the first communication unit 2129 together with the CMTS 111 are configured, and the communication unit 2121 that communicates with the receiving apparatus 100 via the CATV network 120 is configured.

  Next, the flow of processing of the receiving apparatus control system in Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flow of processing when a user makes a program recording reservation in the receiving apparatus control system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. It is a figure which shows the sequence in the case of producing | generating control information (command information), such as program recording reservation with respect to the receiver.

  In FIG. 3, when a user (user) makes a program recording reservation to the home receiving apparatus 100 in the CATV network 120 from the outside, the user uses the mobile phone 150 or the like to transmit the CATV station via the Internet 140. The server 112 is accessed to request a menu such as a program guide (S301). The server 112 accessed from the mobile phone 150 or the like receives program guide data using HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) based on the SI information acquired from the digital broadcast by the menu generation unit 2126 via the digital broadcast reception unit 115. The described program guide information is generated, and the generated program guide information is transmitted by HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) from the menu distribution means 2125 to the mobile phone 150 via the second communication means 2127 (S302). The cellular phone 150 displays program guide data (program guide information) sent from the server 112 by a browser or the like on a display unit (not shown).

  Although the language for describing the program guide data is HTML, it is not particularly limited to HTML as long as it is a language that can be viewed on the mobile phone 150 or the like.

  Further, although the protocol for distribution (transmission) is HTTP, the protocol is not particularly limited to HTTP as long as the protocol can be acquired by the mobile phone 150 or the like.

  In addition, the user accesses the server 112 of the CATV station 110 from the mobile phone 150 and obtains a menu such as a program guide, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a program guide providing service connected to the Internet 140 You may make it acquire by accessing the center 260. FIG.

  The user selects a program to be recorded from the program guide data displayed on the browser, and transmits it to the server 112 as program recording reservation information (S303). The command receiving unit 2124 of the server 112 acquires an identifier for identifying the mobile phone 150 transmitted together with the recording reservation information when the recording reservation information from the mobile phone 150 is received via the second communication unit 2127. As the identifier, the phone number of the mobile phone 150 or the device number of the mobile phone can be used. However, the identifier is not particularly limited to these phone numbers and device numbers as long as the user can be reliably identified. The program recording reservation information transmitted to the server 112 of the CATV station 110 by the user may be selected by the user using the mobile phone 150 from the server 112 as the program guide data, or the user may The telephone 150 may be used to input the reservation time, channel, etc. in a specific format, and is not particularly limited to the above example.

  The server 112 that has received the recording reservation information from the mobile phone 150 via the second communication means 2127 generates recording reservation information in which the recording reservation information is converted into a signal format that can be transmitted by being multiplexed with a digital broadcast data broadcast. Then, the program information PMT (Program Map Table) is changed along with multiplexing the recording reservation information as the data broadcast (S304), and the data broadcasting data and the recording reservation information multiplexed are changed. Is transmitted to the MUX unit 114, and the MUX unit 114 is controlled to multiplex these data broadcast data and program information into the digital broadcast (S305).

  Next, the processing operation in step S304 and step S305 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flow of processing for generating / multiplexing recording reservation data to be transmitted to receiving apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  The command receiving unit 2124 receives the recording reservation information and the like from the mobile phone 150 via the second communication unit 2127 (S400), and transmits the acquired recording reservation information and an identifier for identifying the user to the data generation unit 2123. . Based on the user identifier received from the command receiving unit 2124, the data generating unit 2123 obtains the identifier of the receiving device related to the corresponding receiving device 100 held / managed by the data holding unit 2128 (S401) and the corresponding reception. The information about the receiving device 100 such as information on the channel being selected by the device 100 is acquired (S402). The data holding unit 2128 holds / manages information on the receiving device 100 such as the identifier of the receiving device 100, the identifier of the mobile phone 150, and the channel information currently selected for each user of the CATV station 110. .

  The information about the receiving device 100 is acquired from the data holding unit 2128. However, at least a part of the information is received directly when the user transmits the scheduled recording information or the like with the mobile phone 150, such as the identifier of the receiving device 100. Information regarding the apparatus 100 may be transmitted.

  Next, the data generating unit 2123 identifies the corresponding receiving device 100 from the information regarding the receiving device 100 acquired from the data holding unit 2128, and based on the command information (control information) received from the command receiving unit 2124, the corresponding receiving device 100. Control information (here, program recording reservation information) for controlling (program recording reservation information here) is described in BML, which is a description language of data broadcasting used in digital broadcasting (S403). Also, the data generation means 2123 obtains PAT (Program Association Table) information and PMT information of the digital broadcast being received by the digital broadcast reception means 115 from the digital broadcast reception means 115 (S404), and the corresponding receiving device 100 selects them. It is determined whether or not the data broadcast is multiplexed on the program in the station (S405). If a data broadcast is multiplexed on the program being selected by the receiving apparatus 100, the multiplexed data broadcast data is extracted, and the control information described in BML in step S403 is extracted from the data broadcast data. Are merged (S406). Further, the data generation means 2123 instructs the program information generation means 2122 to execute the change of the PMT accompanying the multiplexing of the control information described in BML on the data of the data broadcast (S407), and the changed PMT Is transmitted to the MUX means 114, and the data obtained by merging the control information described in BML is transmitted to the MUX means 114 as new data of the data broadcast (S408). If the data broadcasting is not multiplexed with the program selected by the receiving apparatus 100, the data generation unit 2123 instructs the program information generation unit 2122 to change the PMT, and is described in BML in step S403. The PMT for multiplexing the received control information as a data broadcast on the program being selected by the corresponding receiving apparatus 100 is changed (S407), the changed PMT is transmitted to the MUX means 114, and described in BML in step S403 The received control information data is transmitted to the MUX means 114 as data broadcasting data to be multiplexed with the program being selected by the receiving apparatus 100 (S408). After changing the PMT, the program information generating unit 2122 transmits each changed PMT to the MUX unit 114 (S408). The MUX unit 114 has control information described in BML in step S403 transmitted from the data generation unit 2123 and the program information generation unit 2122, respectively, with respect to the digital broadcast signal of the program being selected by the receiving apparatus 100. The data for data broadcasting and the changed PMT information are multiplexed (S306), subjected to 64QAM modulation in the QAM 113 having a function as a transmission means (not shown), and then transmitted to the CATV network 120 (S307).

  In the MUX means 114, the corresponding receiving device 100 judges the program of the channel being selected and multiplexes the control information corresponding only to the program of the selected channel. Control information may be multiplexed on all broadcast channels including the channel being selected. However, in this case, the bandwidth utilization efficiency in the network is worse than in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The STB (receiving device) 100 receives the broadcast program of the selected channel when the main power source is ON, and when the main power source is OFF, the STB (receiving device) 100 supplies power at a predetermined cycle by a built-in timer or the like. Is set to be in an ON state, and the broadcast program of the channel selected when the main power supply is turned on immediately before the main power supply is turned off is received (S308). The receiving apparatus 100 separates data broadcast data included in the received digital broadcast program, and the BML analysis unit 103 analyzes the BML data described therein (S309). As a result of the analysis, if it is found that the recording reservation information for the receiving device 100 of itself is included, the recording reservation included in the data broadcast data in the received digital broadcast program is performed in the recording processing means (not shown). Based on the information, a process similar to the recording reservation process set by a normal remote controller or the like is performed (S310).

  When the main power of the STB 100 is off, the power is turned on at a predetermined cycle by a built-in timer or the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the main power is off. In order to be able to always receive command information such as program recording reservations from outside the CATV network, at least a part of the power of the apparatus may be turned on.

  Next, an example of the data broadcast description of the recording reservation information will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 (a) is a diagram showing an example of a data broadcast description that requests execution of processing based on the recording reservation information received by the receiving apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  In FIG. 5A, stbid = browser. getIRDID (5) is a command for starting a BML browser and reading the B-CAS (Conditional Access System) card ID of the receiving device 100 as an identifier of the receiving device, and (b) if (stbid == DO_YOYAKU_ID) is DO_YOYAKU_ID that is the identifier of the receiving device 100 that is the target of the recording reservation when the user transmits the recording reservation information from the mobile phone 150 to the server 112, and the bB-CAS card ID that is the identifier of the receiving device read in (a) Are compared with each other, and if they match, the recording reservation is executed. In addition, (b) browser. DoYoyaku is a function for executing a recording reservation to be newly set, and 7fd0.7fd0.0c81 in parentheses that follow is a value indicating a program to be reserved, which is an original network ID, a transport stream ID, and a service ID, respectively. Yes, and the next 0005 is an event ID indicating a program. The event ID is described in the SI information of the digital broadcast, and is an identifier that can uniquely identify the program being digitally broadcast. This makes it possible to make a recording reservation for a specific program.

(Embodiment 2)
The transmitting apparatus constituting the receiving apparatus control system in the CATV network according to the second embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration as that of the CATV station (transmitting apparatus) 110 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The data generation unit 2123, the program information generation unit 2122, and the MUX unit 114 have a function of generating a new channel as a dedicated program for transmitting the reservation control information by changing the network information table (NIT) of digital broadcasting. It is configured to be equipped.

  The receiving apparatus control system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 and FIGS. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a flow of processing when generating / multiplexing control data for recording reservation in the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing NIT in the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing screen transitions up to program viewing when the viewer selects a channel using the television remote control according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Also, the description of the same configuration as that of the receiving apparatus control system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is omitted, and here, a process for generating control information such as a recording reservation command in the server 112 and a new service are added. The process for doing so will be described.

  The command receiving means 2124 receives the recording reservation command (recording reservation information) from the mobile phone 150 or the like via the second communication means 2127 and the Internet 140 (S600), and the received recording reservation information and an identifier for identifying the user Is transmitted to the data generation means 2123. The data generation unit 2123 acquires the identifier (ID) of the corresponding receiving device 100 from the data holding unit 2128 based on the received identifier for identifying the user (S601), and further, the channel being selected by the corresponding receiving device 100 (S602). However, in Embodiment 2 of the present invention, the channel information being selected by the corresponding receiving apparatus 100 is not directly used except for the NIT, and may or may not be acquired.

  Note that the data holding unit 2128 holds / manages information such as the identifier of the receiving device 100, the identifier of the mobile phone 150, and channel information currently selected by the receiving device 100 for each user of the CATV station 110.

  Further, the identifier of the receiving device is acquired from the data holding unit 2128. However, as described in the first embodiment of the present invention, when the user transmits the recording reservation information to the CATV station 110 using the mobile phone 150, it is directly received. You may make it transmit the identifier of a receiver with recording reservation information.

  Next, the data generation means 2123 generates recording reservation control information for controlling recording reservation of the receiving device based on the information related to the receiving device 100 acquired from the data holding means 2128 and the received recording reservation information. The generated recording reservation control information is described in BML, which is a description language of data broadcasting used in digital broadcasting, and this is used as data broadcasting content of a broadcasting channel newly created as a reservation control information dedicated program (S603). In addition, the PAT, PMT and NIT information of the digital broadcast program being received by the digital broadcast receiving unit 115 is acquired from the digital broadcast receiving unit 115 (S604). The data generation means 2123 also transmits the acquired PAT, PMT and NIT to the program information generation means 2122, and reservation control information for newly creating recording reservation control information described in BML for the program information generation means 2122 Corresponding to utilization as data broadcast content in a broadcast channel as a dedicated program, an instruction is given to add, change or generate PAT, PMT and NIT information. The program information generation unit 2122 analyzes the service list descriptor in the second loop of the acquired NIT according to the instruction from the program information generation unit 2122, and broadcasts a program dedicated to reservation control information to be newly created at the top thereof. A service corresponding to is newly added (S605). At the same time, the PMT corresponding to the PAT change and the broadcast service for the new reservation control information dedicated program is generated (S606).

  Here, an example in which information is added to the service list will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a modification example of the NIT service list in the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 7, the service list (A) is the NIT service list acquired from the digital broadcast in step S404, and the service list (B) is the NIT after newly creating / multiplexing the broadcast of the reservation control information dedicated program. It is a service list. “211” described in FIG. 7B indicates a service related to a broadcast channel of a newly created / multiplexed reservation control information dedicated program.

  In terrestrial digital broadcasting, the service described at the top of the service list is called a primary service, and the service described at the top is a service assigned to one-touch buttons 1 to 12 on the remote controller used when watching TV. It becomes. In the case of digital terrestrial broadcasting, in addition to the method of selecting a channel by pressing the remote controller once as described above, the channel can be selected by inputting the 3-digit number assigned to the program by using these one-touch buttons. There is also a way to do it.

  Broadcast data of a newly created / multiplexed reservation control information dedicated channel in which recording reservation control data described in BML is multiplexed as data broadcast contents, and changed or generated PAT, PMT and NIT are respectively MUX means. 114 (S607). The newly created / multiplexed broadcast data of the reservation control information dedicated channel is added as a new broadcast channel in the MUX means 114, and is multiplexed with the digital broadcast signal together with the changed or generated PAT, PMT and NIT. After that, the QAM 113 performs 64QMA modulation and transmits it to the CATV network 120.

  The receiving apparatus 100 first receives the data broadcasting service of the newly added reservation control (reservation command) information dedicated channel that is always positioned at the top of the NIT service list at the start of program viewing and / or when the power is turned on. After that, the normal program viewing operation is started.

  This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an image of viewing a program in the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 8, in the conventional case where there is no data broadcasting service for the reservation control information dedicated channel when “1” is pressed among the one-touch buttons of the remote controller 801 for viewing TV attached to the receiving apparatus 100, for example, The TV service corresponding to the service described as “011” in the service list in FIG. 7 is immediately received, and the service content is displayed on the screen 802 of the TV 130.

  The reception operation in the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. First, a data broadcasting service of a reservation control information dedicated channel having no display data on the TV screen is first received. In the data broadcasting service, for example, control information related to recording reservation as shown in FIG. 9 is described in the BML format. In FIG. 9, stbid = browser. getIRDID (5) is a command for starting a BML browser and reading a B-CAS (Conditional Access System) card ID of the receiving device 100 as an identifier of the receiving device, and (f) if (stbid == DO_YOYAKU_ID) is Compare the DO_YOYAKU_ID which is the identifier of the corresponding receiving device when the user transmits the recording reservation information from the mobile phone 150 to the server 112 and the bB-CAS card ID which is the identifier of the receiving device read in (e). This is a command for executing a recording reservation when they match. In addition, (g) browser. As shown in the first embodiment of the present invention, DoYoyaku is a function that executes a newly defined recording reservation. The number 7fd0.7fd0.0c81 in parentheses that follows is a value that indicates the program to be received. The original network ID, the transport stream ID, and the service ID from the left, respectively, and the next 0005 is an event ID indicating a program. The event ID is described in the digital broadcast SI information, and is an identifier that can uniquely identify the program being digitally broadcast. This makes it possible to make a recording reservation for a specific program. As described above, when it is confirmed that the receiving apparatus is the target of the recording reservation, the execution of the recording reservation is performed, and thereafter (b) browser. eptune (0004.40f0.00a0), for example, a TV service corresponding to “011” associated with “1” of the one-touch button of the remote control 801 for TV viewing described in the service list of FIG. Receive. In addition, a receiving apparatus that is not designated for recording reservation once receives the data broadcasting service of the reservation control information dedicated channel, but the data broadcasting service does not have display data on the TV screen. Since this is a service and nothing is displayed on the screen 802 of the TV 130 during reception of the data broadcasting service, the receiving apparatus that is not the target is almost the same as the normal viewing operation as in the conventional case. It becomes the operation. Therefore, in the second embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to execute the recording reservation process for the target receiving device without affecting the non-target receiving device.

  The addition of services to the NIT has been described by taking an example of a method of multiplexing when there is a request for recording reservation on the mobile phone 150 or the like, but is not limited to this. It may be a method of changing only the content of the data broadcast when a reservation request such as a recording reservation is made with the mobile phone 150 or the like by adding a service.

  In the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the B-CAS card ID is used as the identifier of the receiving device. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it can be matched with the data held in the data holding unit 2128. For example, it is only necessary that the contractor can be specified such as the ID of the receiving device (STB) 100 itself.

  In the first or second embodiment of the present invention, as an example of the data broadcast description of the recording reservation information, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, respectively, the recording reservation command converted into the data broadcasting format is converted into the data broadcasting. Although the multiplexing method has been described, command information (control information) such as recording reservation is not multiplexed on the data broadcast, and information such as command information addressed to the receiver 100 when the receiver 100 accesses the server 112 of the CATV station 110. Only the information of the access destination that knows whether it can be acquired, and the receiving device 100 that has received this information accesses the access destination of the server 112 instructed by the communication performed via the CATV network 120, and There is also a method of acquiring information such as information.

  Hereinafter, the above method will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 5.

  First, when the user of the receiving apparatus 100 transmits recording reservation information to the CATV station 110 via the Internet 140 using the mobile phone 150 or the like, in the CATV station 110, as in the case of the first embodiment of the present invention, The command receiving means 2124 receives the recording reservation information from the user via the second communication means 2127 and transmits it to the data generating means 2123. The data generating means 2123 converts the recording reservation information received from the command receiving means 2124 into BML data that is a data broadcast format, and associates the converted data with the user ID or the device ID of the receiving apparatus 100, for example, data The recording reservation is registered in the holding means 2128 and stored.

  In the CATV station 110, the data generation unit 2123 generates information that indicates where the receiving device 100 can access the server 112 to obtain the command information addressed to itself, and stores the information in the BML format. The data is converted into data, and the converted data is multiplexed with data broadcast data in the MUX means 114, and then transmitted from the QMA 113 having a function as a transmission means to the CATV network 120.

  On the other hand, in the receiving apparatus 100, the BML analyzing unit 103 analyzes the data broadcast data received by the receiving unit 107 and acquires the access destination information of the server 112 multiplexed in the data broadcast. This information is transmitted to the communication means 106 when the power is turned on or at a predetermined time period. The communication means 106 accesses the designated access destination of the server 112 via the cable modem 105, the CATV network 120, the first communication means 2129, etc. with respect to the access destination of the server 112 received from the BML analysis means 103. The server 112 is requested to transmit information such as recording reservation information addressed to itself.

  Next, a process until the reception apparatus 100 requests the server 112 to transmit information such as a recording reservation and receives the information from the server 112 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating an example of a description in a case where information on only the access destination of the server 112 to be accessed by the receiving apparatus 100 is described in the data broadcast format and multiplexed on the data broadcast.

  The receiving apparatus 100 determines whether or not there is reservation information such as a recording reservation and “11” that is an identifier (stbid) of the receiving apparatus with respect to the check program on the server 112 shown in (d) of FIG. Access is made together with an identifier (cmd) “YOYAKU” indicating a reservation confirmation to be confirmed. For the access from the receiving device 100, the server 112 determines whether or not the identifier of the receiving device transmitted together with the access is the identifier of the corresponding receiving device. If it is confirmed that the identifier of the corresponding receiving device is confirmed, it is confirmed whether or not recording reservation registration for the corresponding receiving device is performed in the data holding means 2128. If the recording reservation has been registered, the server 112 has accessed the same BML data (recording reservation information) as described in FIG. 5A via the first communication means 2129 and the CATV network 120. 100 is transmitted. The receiving device 100 that has received BML data (recording reservation information) from the server 112 via the cable modem 105 by the communication means 106 performs the same processing as in the first embodiment of the present invention and executes the recording reservation.

  If no recording reservation is registered in the data holding means 2128, BML data indicating that no recording reservation is registered is transmitted, for example, BML data having no command is transmitted.

  In the above method, even when the number of receiving apparatuses 100 increases, the capacity of data multiplexed in data broadcasting can be reduced.

  In the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the recording reservation is performed using the mobile phone 150, but any device (communication information terminal or the like) that can be connected to the IP network such as a personal computer or other mobile terminal. There is no particular limitation.

  In the first and second embodiments of the present invention, the recording reservation has been described as an example. However, the command to the receiving apparatus 100 is not limited to the recording reservation. For example, channel selection or interruption of recording is performed. Other instructions may be used.

  The receiving apparatus control system according to the present invention provides a command for recording reservation or the like from outside the network while effectively using the bandwidth even for a network where the IP address of the STB (receiving apparatus) is unknown, such as a CATV network. Can be reliably transmitted, which is useful for recording reservations from outside the network.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a receiving apparatus control system in a CATV network according to Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Block diagram showing server configuration The figure which shows the flow of a process in case a user makes a program recording reservation in the receiver control system in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the flow of the process which produces | generates / multiplexes the recording reservation data transmitted to the receiver in Embodiment 1 of this invention. (A) is a figure which shows an example of the data broadcast description which requests | requires execution of the process based on recording reservation data with respect to the receiving apparatus which received the recording reservation data in Embodiment 1 of this invention, (b) is a receiving apparatus. The figure which shows an example of the description in the case of describing only the access destination of the server 112 which 100 should access in a data broadcast format, and multiplexing on a data broadcast The figure which shows the flow of a process in the case of producing | generating / multiplexing the control data for recording reservation in Embodiment 2 of this invention. The figure which shows the example of a service list change of NIT in Embodiment 2 of this invention The figure which shows the screen transition until the program viewing, when the viewer selects the channel using the remote controller of the television in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The figure which shows the example of description of the recording reservation command of the BML format described in a data broadcasting service Block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional receiver control system disclosed in Patent Document 1 Block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional receiver control system disclosed in Patent Document 2

Explanation of symbols

100 Receiver (STB)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Tuner part 102 TS decoding part 103 BML analysis means 104 Display means 105 Cable modem 106 Communication means 107 Reception means 110 CATV station (transmission apparatus)
111 CMTS
112 server 113 QAM
114 MUX means 115 Digital broadcast receiving means 120 CATV network 140 Internet 150 Mobile phone 260 Program guide providing service center 801 Remote control for watching TV 802 TV screen 2121 Communication unit 2122 Program information generating means 2123 Data generating means 2124 Command receiving means 2125 Menu distribution Means 2126 Menu generation means 2127 Second communication means 2128 Data holding means 2129 First communication means X11 client X12 client X21 IM server X30 Internet X41 NAT device Y01 mobile phone Y02 recording reservation reception center Y03 broadcast center Y04 broadcast satellite Y05 receiver Y06 Hard disk Y07 E-mail service provider

Claims (9)

A transmission device that is connected to each other via a first network and transmits video / audio data of a broadcast program, data of data broadcast, etc. as a digital broadcast program, and the digital broadcast that the transmission device transmits via the first network A receiving device control system comprising at least one receiving device for receiving a program,
The transmitter is
Digital broadcast receiving means for receiving the digital broadcast program such as terrestrial digital broadcast;
Data generation means for generating a signal of a data broadcast format such as terrestrial digital broadcast;
Program information generating means for generating program information necessary for receiving the signal generated by the data generating means and signals such as video / audio data of a broadcast program by the receiving device;
Signals such as the digital broadcast program signal from the digital broadcast receiving means, the signal generated by the data generating means, and the program information signal generated by the program information generating means are transmitted to the first network. MUX (Multiplexer) means for processing such as conversion or multiplexing so as to be possible,
Transmitting means for transmitting a signal such as the digital broadcast program processed in the MUX means to the first network;
First communication means for communicating with the receiving device or the like via the first network;
A second communication means for communicating with a communication information terminal or the like via a second network;
Command receiving means for receiving / processing command information to the specific receiving device received via the second network and the second communication means;
Data holding means for holding / managing information on the receiving device such as an identifier or a channel being selected received from the receiving device via the first communication unit for each receiving device;
The data generation unit converts the received command information into a signal of a data broadcast format each time the command receiving unit receives the command information for the specific receiving device, and holds / manages it in the data holding unit Transmitted to the MUX means together with information such as an identifier relating to the particular receiving device being
The MUX means receives the signal transmitted from the data generation means, and the specific reception is held / managed by the data holding means among the channels of the digital broadcast program received by the digital broadcast receiving means. The apparatus multiplexes the data broadcast data in the channel being selected, multiplexes the program information changed / generated by the program information generating means in association with the multiplex, and these signals are added to the new digital broadcast program. As a signal to the transmission means,
The transmission means transmits a signal of the new digital broadcast program received from the MUX means to the first network.
The receiving device is:
Receiving means for receiving the digital broadcast program transmitted from the transmitting device via the first network;
Analyzing means for analyzing the signal received by the receiving means;
Comprising a communication means for communicating with the transmission device or the like via the first network;
At the time of channel switching and / or power ON, information on the channel selected by the receiving unit is transmitted from the communication unit to the first communication unit of the transmission device via the first network,
The receiving means receives the digital broadcast program at the time of viewing or powering on, and the data broadcasting data included in the digital broadcast program received by the receiving means is analyzed by the analyzing means. When it is confirmed that the specific command information for the device is included, a process based on the specific command information is executed.
A receiver control system. A transmission device that is connected to each other via a first network and transmits video / audio data of a broadcast program, data of data broadcast, etc. as a digital broadcast program, and the digital broadcast that the transmission device transmits via the first network A receiving device control system comprising at least one receiving device for receiving a program,
The transmitter is
Digital broadcast receiving means for receiving the digital broadcast program such as terrestrial digital broadcast;
Data generation means for generating a signal of a data broadcast format such as terrestrial digital broadcast;
Program information generating means for generating program information necessary for receiving the signal generated by the data generating means and signals such as video / audio data of a broadcast program by the receiving device;
Signals such as the digital broadcast program signal from the digital broadcast receiving means, the signal generated by the data generating means, and the program information signal generated by the program information generating means are transmitted to the first network. MUX (Multiplexer) means for processing such as conversion or multiplexing so as to be possible,
Transmitting means for transmitting a signal such as the digital broadcast program processed in the MUX means to the first network;
First communication means for communicating with the receiving device or the like via the first network;
A second communication means for communicating with a communication information terminal or the like via a second network;
Command receiving means for receiving / processing command information to the specific receiving device received via the second network and the second communication means;
Data holding means for holding / managing information on the receiving device such as an identifier or a channel being selected received from the receiving device via the first communication unit for each receiving device;
The data generation unit converts the received command information into a data broadcast format signal and transmits it to the data holding unit every time the command receiving unit receives the command information for the specific receiving device. The data holding unit stores / stores the data holding unit in association with information such as an identifier related to the specific receiving device held / managed by the data holding unit, and the receiving device is accessed anywhere in the transmitting device. If it is possible to obtain the command information addressed to itself, it generates access information in a data broadcast format and sends it to the MUX means,
The MUX means multiplexes the access information transmitted from the data generation means with data broadcast data in at least one channel of the digital broadcast program received by the digital broadcast reception means, and the multiplexing causes the data The program information changed / generated by the program information generating means is multiplexed, and these signals are transmitted to the transmitting means as new digital broadcast program signals,
The transmission means transmits a signal of the new digital broadcast program received from the MUX means to the first network,
The command information corresponding to the transmission request in the data holding unit in response to a transmission request such as the command information addressed to itself received from the receiving device via the first network and the first communication unit Or the like, the command information corresponding to the transmission request is transmitted to the receiving device via the first communication means and the first network, and the like.
The receiving device is:
Receiving means for receiving the digital broadcast program transmitted from the transmitting device via the first network;
Analyzing means for analyzing the signal received by the receiving means;
Comprising a communication means for communicating with the transmission device or the like via the first network;
The data broadcast data included in the digital broadcast program received by the receiving means is analyzed by the analyzing means to obtain the access information, and based on the access information obtained by the analyzing means, the communication means from the communication means The access destination in the transmission device is accessed via the first network, the transmission request for the command information addressed to itself is transmitted, and the transmission device transmits the command information via the first network based on the transmission request. Receiving the command information addressed to itself by the communication means, and executing processing based on the command information addressed to the self received by the communication means;
A receiver control system. A transmission device that is connected to each other via a first network and transmits video / audio data of a broadcast program, data of data broadcast, etc. as a digital broadcast program, and the digital broadcast that the transmission device transmits via the first network A receiving device control system comprising at least one receiving device for receiving a program,
The transmitter is
Digital broadcast receiving means for receiving the digital broadcast program such as terrestrial digital broadcast;
Data generating means for generating a signal of a data broadcasting format such as digital terrestrial broadcasting, and generating data of a data broadcasting service of a command information dedicated channel;
Program information for changing or generating program information necessary for receiving the data received by the digital broadcast receiving means or the data broadcasting service data of the command information dedicated channel generated by the data generating means by the receiving device Generating means;
Signals such as the digital broadcast program signal from the digital broadcast receiving means, the signal generated by the data generating means, and the program information signal generated by the program information generating means are transmitted to the first network. MUX (Multiplexer) means for processing such as conversion or multiplexing so as to be possible,
Transmitting means for transmitting a signal such as the digital broadcast program processed in the MUX means to the first network;
First communication means for communicating with the receiving device or the like via the first network;
A second communication means for communicating with a communication information terminal or the like via a second network;
Command receiving means for receiving / processing command information to the specific receiving device received via the second network and the second communication means;
Data holding means for holding / managing information on the receiving device such as an identifier for each receiving device;
The data generation unit converts the received command information into a signal of a data broadcast format each time the command receiving unit receives the command information for the specific receiving device, and holds / manages it in the data holding unit Is generated as data of the data broadcasting service of the command information dedicated channel together with information such as an identifier related to the specific receiving device being transmitted, transmitted to the MUX means, and further received from the digital broadcasting receiving means. Receiving the program information such as PAT (Program Association Table), PMT (Program Map Table) and NIT (Network Information Table) related to the broadcast program, and transmitting them to the program information generating means;
The program information generation means adds the data broadcasting service of the dedicated channel for command information to the head of the NIT service list received from the data generation means, and for the PAT and the PMT received from the data generation means , Adding a change accompanying the addition of the data broadcasting service for the command information dedicated channel, and sending the NIT, the PAT and the PMT to which the addition or change has been made to the MUX means,
The MUX means adds or changes the data broadcast service data of the command information dedicated channel transmitted from the data generation means or the program information generation means to the digital broadcast program transmitted from the digital broadcast reception means. The NIT, the PAT, the PMT, and other signals are multiplexed, and these signals are transmitted as new digital broadcast program signals to the transmission means.
The transmission means transmits a signal of the new digital broadcast program received from the MUX means to the first network.
The receiving device is:
Receiving means for receiving the digital broadcast program transmitted from the transmitting device via the first network;
Analyzing means for analyzing the signal received by the receiving means;
Comprising a communication means for communicating with the transmission device or the like via the first network;
Regardless of the channel being selected at the start of viewing and / or when the power is turned on, the receiving means first performs data broadcasting of the dedicated channel for command information positioned at the top of the service list of the network information table (NIT). Receiving the service, analyzing the data of the data broadcasting service of the dedicated channel for command information received by the receiving unit by the analyzing unit, and as a result, having the specific command information for its own receiving device When confirming that, the processing based on the specific command information is executed, and then the digital broadcast program of the channel being selected is received.
A receiver control system. A transmission device constituting the reception device control system according to claim 1,
Digital broadcast receiving means for receiving the digital broadcast program such as terrestrial digital broadcast;
Data generation means for generating a signal of a data broadcast format such as terrestrial digital broadcast;
Program information generating means for generating program information necessary for receiving the signal generated by the data generating means and signals such as video / audio data of a broadcast program by the receiving device;
Signals such as the digital broadcast program signal from the digital broadcast receiving means, the signal generated by the data generating means, and the program information signal generated by the program information generating means are transmitted to the first network. MUX (Multiplexer) means for processing such as conversion or multiplexing so as to be possible,
Transmitting means for transmitting a signal such as the digital broadcast program processed in the MUX means to the first network;
First communication means for communicating with the receiving device or the like via the first network;
A second communication means for communicating with a communication information terminal or the like via a second network;
Command receiving means for receiving / processing command information to the specific receiving device received via the second network and the second communication means;
Data holding means for holding / managing information on the receiving device such as an identifier or a channel being selected received from the receiving device via the first communication unit for each receiving device;
The data generation unit converts the received command information into a signal of a data broadcast format each time the command receiving unit receives the command information for the specific receiving device, and holds / manages it in the data holding unit Transmitted to the MUX means together with information such as an identifier relating to the particular receiving device being
The MUX means receives the signal transmitted from the data generation means, and the specific reception is held / managed by the data holding means among the channels of the digital broadcast program received by the digital broadcast receiving means. The apparatus multiplexes the data broadcast data in the channel being selected, multiplexes the program information changed / generated by the program information generating means in association with the multiplex, and these signals are added to the new digital broadcast program. As a signal to the transmission means,
The transmission means transmits the new digital broadcast program signal received from the MUX means to the first network. A transmission device constituting the reception device control system according to claim 2,
Digital broadcast receiving means for receiving the digital broadcast program such as terrestrial digital broadcast;
Data generation means for generating a signal of a data broadcast format such as terrestrial digital broadcast;
Program information generating means for generating program information necessary for receiving the signal generated by the data generating means and signals such as video / audio data of a broadcast program by the receiving device;
Signals such as the digital broadcast program signal from the digital broadcast receiving means, the signal generated by the data generating means, and the program information signal generated by the program information generating means are transmitted to the first network. MUX (Multiplexer) means for processing such as conversion or multiplexing so as to be possible,
Transmitting means for transmitting a signal such as the digital broadcast program processed in the MUX means to the first network;
First communication means for communicating with the receiving device or the like via the first network;
A second communication means for communicating with a communication information terminal or the like via a second network;
Command receiving means for receiving / processing command information to the specific receiving device received via the second network and the second communication means;
Data holding means for holding / managing information on the receiving device such as an identifier or a channel being selected received from the receiving device via the first communication unit for each receiving device;
The data generation unit converts the received command information into a data broadcast format signal and transmits it to the data holding unit every time the command receiving unit receives the command information for the specific receiving device. The data holding unit stores / stores the data holding unit in association with information such as an identifier related to the specific receiving device held / managed by the data holding unit, and the receiving device is accessed anywhere in the transmitting device. If it is possible to obtain the command information addressed to itself, it generates access information in a data broadcast format and sends it to the MUX means,
The MUX means multiplexes the access information transmitted from the data generation means with data broadcast data in at least one channel of the digital broadcast program received by the digital broadcast reception means, and the multiplexing causes the data The program information changed / generated by the program information generating means is multiplexed, and these signals are transmitted to the transmitting means as new digital broadcast program signals,
The transmission means transmits a signal of the new digital broadcast program received from the MUX means to the first network,
The command information corresponding to the transmission request in the data holding unit in response to a transmission request such as the command information addressed to itself received from the receiving device via the first network and the first communication unit Or the like, the command information corresponding to the transmission request is transmitted to the receiving device via the first communication means and the first network. A transmission device constituting the reception device control system according to claim 3,
Digital broadcast receiving means for receiving the digital broadcast program such as terrestrial digital broadcast;
Data generating means for generating a signal of a data broadcasting format such as digital terrestrial broadcasting, and generating data of a data broadcasting service of a command information dedicated channel;
Program information for changing or generating program information necessary for receiving the data received by the digital broadcast receiving means or the data broadcasting service data of the command information dedicated channel generated by the data generating means by the receiving device Generating means;
Signals such as the digital broadcast program signal from the digital broadcast receiving means, the signal generated by the data generating means, and the program information signal generated by the program information generating means are transmitted to the first network. MUX (Multiplexer) means for processing such as conversion or multiplexing so as to be possible,
Transmitting means for transmitting a signal such as the digital broadcast program processed in the MUX means to the first network;
First communication means for communicating with the receiving device or the like via the first network;
A second communication means for communicating with a communication information terminal or the like via a second network;
Command receiving means for receiving / processing command information to the specific receiving device received via the second network and the second communication means;
Data holding means for holding / managing information on the receiving device such as an identifier for each receiving device;
The data generation unit converts the received command information into a signal of a data broadcast format each time the command receiving unit receives the command information for the specific receiving device, and holds / manages it in the data holding unit Is generated as data of the data broadcasting service of the command information dedicated channel together with information such as an identifier related to the specific receiving device being transmitted, transmitted to the MUX means, and further received from the digital broadcasting receiving means. Receiving the program information such as PAT (Program Association Table), PMT (Program Map Table) and NIT (Network Information Table) related to the broadcast program, and transmitting them to the program information generating means;
The program information generation means adds the data broadcasting service of the dedicated channel for command information to the head of the NIT service list received from the data generation means, and for the PAT and the PMT received from the data generation means , Adding a change accompanying the addition of the data broadcasting service for the command information dedicated channel, and sending the NIT, the PAT and the PMT to which the addition or change has been made to the MUX means,
The MUX means adds or changes the data broadcast service data of the command information dedicated channel transmitted from the data generation means or the program information generation means to the digital broadcast program transmitted from the digital broadcast reception means. The NIT, the PAT, the PMT, and other signals are multiplexed, and these signals are transmitted as new digital broadcast program signals to the transmission means.
The transmission means transmits the new digital broadcast program signal received from the MUX means to the first network. A receiving device constituting the receiving device control system according to claim 1,
Receiving means for receiving the digital broadcast program transmitted from the transmitting device via the first network;
Analyzing means for analyzing the signal received by the receiving means;
Comprising a communication means for communicating with the transmission device or the like via the first network;
At the time of channel switching and / or power ON, information on the channel selected by the receiving unit is transmitted from the communication unit to the first communication unit of the transmission device via the first network,
The receiving means receives the digital broadcast program at the time of viewing or powering on, and the data broadcasting data included in the digital broadcast program received by the receiving means is analyzed by the analyzing means. When it is confirmed that the specific command information for the device is included, processing based on the specific command information is executed. A receiving device constituting the receiving device control system according to claim 2,
Receiving means for receiving the digital broadcast program transmitted from the transmitting device via the first network;
Analyzing means for analyzing the signal received by the receiving means;
Comprising a communication means for communicating with the transmission device or the like via the first network;
The data broadcast data included in the digital broadcast program received by the receiving means is analyzed by the analyzing means to obtain the access information, and based on the access information obtained by the analyzing means, the communication means from the communication means The access destination in the transmission device is accessed via the first network, the transmission request for the command information addressed to itself is transmitted, and the transmission device transmits the command information via the first network based on the transmission request. A receiving apparatus that receives the command information addressed to itself by the communication means and executes processing based on the command information addressed to itself received by the communication means. A receiving device constituting the receiving device control system according to claim 3,
Receiving means for receiving the digital broadcast program transmitted from the transmitting device via the first network;
Analyzing means for analyzing the signal received by the receiving means;
Comprising a communication means for communicating with the transmission device or the like via the first network;
Regardless of the channel being selected at the start of viewing and / or when the power is turned on, the receiving means first performs data broadcasting of the dedicated channel for command information positioned at the top of the service list of the network information table (NIT). Receiving the service, analyzing the data of the data broadcasting service of the dedicated channel for command information received by the receiving unit by the analyzing unit, and as a result, having the specific command information for its own receiving device If it is confirmed, the receiver executes the process based on the specific command information, and then receives the digital broadcast program of the channel being selected.

Images