JP2009290720A - Relay system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique to widen an area while improving a degree of freedom in installation. <P>SOLUTION: A first relay apparatus 12 receives a broadcast signal containing at least one channel formed from a plurality of segments. Furthermore, the first relay apparatus 12 extracts at least one segment component from the received broadcast signal. Moreover, the first relay apparatus 12 transmits the extracted segment component as a communication signal. A second relay apparatus 14 receives the communication signal from the first relay apparatus 12. Furthermore, the second relay apparatus 14 transmits at least one segment component contained in the received communication signal, as a broadcast signal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a relay system, and more particularly to a relay system that relays broadcast signals.

  In a broadcasting system such as a television broadcasting system, a signal is transmitted as an electromagnetic wave from a broadcasting station. The television broadcast receiver receives a signal transmitted from a broadcasting station and acquires image information, audio information, and the like from the received signal. With regard to signals transmitted by broadcast stations, provisions such as transmission power and desired signal-to-interference wave ratio are established so that information of a predetermined quality can be obtained in a television broadcast receiver in the area where the broadcast station is broadcast. It has been. However, even if a broadcasting station transmits a signal that satisfies the regulations, if there are electromagnetic wave obstacles or the like in the broadcasting area, the electric field strength of the signal received by the television broadcast receiver becomes insufficient. There are areas where information of a certain quality cannot be obtained. Therefore, in order to reduce such quality degradation areas, a relay apparatus that receives a signal transmitted from a broadcasting station, amplifies and transmits the signal is installed in the broadcasting area.

  For example, the relay device receives an analog modulated signal formed by a plurality of channels by a receiving antenna, and outputs the received signal to a duplexer. The duplexer separates the received signal into channels. That is, the duplexer outputs a signal obtained by attenuating a signal in a frequency band other than the desired channel. The duplexer outputs a plurality of signals to a plurality of in-channel band amplifying units. Each of the in-channel band amplifying units amplifies the channel unit signal, and then converts it to an intermediate frequency band signal. In addition, after band limitation for attenuating signals other than the desired channel is performed, amplification at the intermediate frequency is performed, and the signal is again converted to the broadcast frequency band and then amplified. The amplified signals are output to the multiplexer. The multiplexer combines a plurality of signals. The signal synthesized by the multiplexer is transmitted as an electromagnetic wave via the transmission antenna.

  Such a relay device separates a received signal into a plurality of channels, and individually performs band limitation and amplification on the frequency bands of the respective channels. This reduces as much as possible the interference wave caused by the intermodulation generated by the analog modulation signals of different channel frequency bands mutually affecting each other or the noise superimposed on the frequency band close to each channel frequency band. (For example, refer to Patent Documents 1 and 2). In recent years, digital television broadcasting that transmits information using a digitally modulated signal has been used, and an analog modulation signal and a digital modulation signal are mixed. Even in such a situation, the above-described relay device is used. In general, digital television broadcasting is composed of more channels than conventional television broadcasting. For this reason, in the above-described configuration, an in-channel band amplification unit corresponding to the number of channels is required. Therefore, as the number of channels increases, the circuit becomes a large-scale configuration and the manufacturing cost increases.

In order to solve this, a relay apparatus including a digital filter that can pass bands corresponding to a plurality of channels has been proposed. In addition, the digital filter is composed of a plurality of taps, and the coefficient corresponding to each of the plurality of taps is set to a variable value. Therefore, a tap coefficient that realizes a bandpass filter that passes through a channel to be relayed is set in the digital filter, so that the relay device can selectively relay a desired channel (see, for example, Patent Document 3). ).
JP 2000-324036 A JP 2007-288572 A JP 2007-043583 A

  If it is used for the relay device having the above configuration, the program can be viewed even in an area where it is difficult to receive a signal transmitted from a broadcasting station, such as in a building such as a house. However, if the installation location and usage method of such a relay device is wrong, there is a possibility that radio wave interference may occur with respect to the signal transmitted from the broadcasting station. Therefore, the degree of freedom of installation of the relay device is not great. On the other hand, in order to reduce the influence of radio wave interference, the power of the signal after relaying is designed to be weak. As a result, the area expanded by the relay device is, for example, about 2 mails, and the effect of area expansion by the relay device is reduced.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a condition, The objective is to provide the technique which expands an area, raising the freedom degree of installation.

  In order to solve the above problems, a relay system according to an aspect of the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives a broadcast signal including at least one channel formed by a plurality of segments, and at least a broadcast signal received by the receiving unit. A first relay device including an extraction unit that extracts one segment component and a first communication unit that transmits the segment component extracted by the extraction unit as a communication signal, and receives a communication signal from the first communication unit A second communication unit; a transmission unit that transmits at least one segment component included in the communication signal received by the second communication unit by a broadcast signal; and a reception unit that receives an instruction to select a segment component from a remote control device; The 2nd relay apparatus provided with. The second communication unit transmits an instruction received by the reception unit as a communication signal, the first communication unit receives a communication signal from the second communication unit, and the extraction unit receives the communication received by the first communication unit. At least one segment component is extracted according to an instruction included in the signal.

  According to this aspect, since a communication signal is used between the first relay device and the second relay device, the area can be expanded while increasing the degree of freedom of installation, and the segment component selection instruction in the second relay device Because it accepts, the capacity of the communication signal can be reduced.

  The transmission unit transmits the broadcast signal to the receiver in a frequency band different from the broadcast signal received by the reception unit, and the segment component selection instruction received by the reception unit is transmitted from the remote control device in the receiver. The format may be different from the segment component selection instruction. In this case, since the selection between the second relay device and the receiver is performed independently, if the segment of the receiver is fixed, the desired segment can be viewed by controlling only the second relay device.

  The transmission unit transmits the broadcast signal to the receiver in the frequency band included in the broadcast signal received by the reception unit, and the segment component selection instruction received by the reception unit is transmitted from the remote control device in the receiver. It may be in the same format as the segment component selection instruction. In this case, since the selection in the second relay device and the receiver is executed in common, the receiver and the second relay device can be controlled integrally.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, the area can be expanded while increasing the degree of freedom of installation.

  Before describing the present invention in detail, an outline will be described. Embodiments of the present invention relate to a relay device that receives a signal (hereinafter referred to as “broadcast signal”) compatible with digital television broadcasting, amplifies the received signal, and transmits the amplified signal. In broadcast signals, frequency multiplexing is performed on a plurality of channels. Each channel is formed by a plurality of segments. One segment included in one channel is used as one segment broadcast. That is, the program can be viewed only by receiving the segment. Such a relay device that relays broadcast signals is required to expand the area while increasing the degree of freedom of installation. In order to cope with this, the following processing is executed.

  The relay device includes two relay devices, that is, a first relay device and a second relay device. The first relay device and the second relay device are connected by a communication system such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) system, for example. Hereinafter, a signal defined in the communication system is referred to as a “communication signal”. The first relay device receives the broadcast signal and extracts one segment component in one channel from the broadcast signal. The first relay apparatus stores the extracted one segment component in the communication signal and transmits the communication signal. The second relay device receives the communication signal from the first relay device and extracts one segment component from the communication signal. The second relay apparatus stores the segment component in the broadcast signal and transmits the broadcast signal. The television broadcast receiver receives a broadcast signal from the second relay device. For digital radio broadcasting, this embodiment is applied to digital radio broadcasting by replacing one segment component with three segment components. Furthermore, this embodiment can be applied to a system having the concept of segments by extracting at least one segment component that can be demodulated. Hereinafter, descriptions of these modified examples for the sake of clarity will be omitted.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a relay system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The relay system 100 includes a broadcast station 10, a first relay device 12, a second relay device 14, an image receiving device 16, a first remote control device 30, and a second remote control device 32. The broadcasting station 10 includes a broadcasting station antenna 18, the first relay device 12 includes a first relay device receiving antenna 20, a first relay device communication antenna 22, and the second relay device 14 includes a second relay. The apparatus communication antenna 24 and the second relay apparatus transmission antenna 26 are included, and the image receiving apparatus 16 includes an image receiving apparatus antenna 28. Here, the first relay device 12, the second relay device 14, and the image receiving device 16 are installed in the building 40.

  The broadcast station 10 transmits a broadcast signal from the broadcast station antenna 18. Here, the broadcast signal is a signal corresponding to digital television broadcasting as described above. Digital television broadcasting is a system defined by, for example, ISDB-T (Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting-Terrestrial) and DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting). In ISDB-T, frequency division multiplexing is performed on a plurality of channels, and each channel is formed by an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) signal and is formed by a plurality of segments. Specifically, 13 segments having a width of 429 KHz are included. Of the 13 segments, one is reserved for one-segment broadcasting. The segment reserved for one-segment broadcasting is a central segment and is assumed to have a segment number “0”.

  The first relay device 12 is installed near the outside of the building 40, for example, at a position where a broadcast signal from the broadcast station 10 can be received. The first relay device 12 receives a broadcast signal from the broadcast station 10 via the first relay device receiving antenna 20. The first relay device 12 extracts one channel from the broadcast signal and extracts one segment component from the extracted channel. Here, it is assumed that one extracted segment component is a segment reserved for one-segment broadcasting. The first relay device 12 is also compatible with a communication system such as a wireless LAN system, and stores one extracted segment component in a communication signal. The first relay device 12 transmits a communication signal from the first relay device communication antenna 22 to the second relay device 14.

  The 2nd relay apparatus 14 is arrange | positioned in the position which cannot receive the broadcast signal from the broadcast station 10 inside the building 40, for example. The second relay device 14 receives the communication signal from the first relay device 12 via the second relay device communication antenna 24. The second relay device 14 extracts one segment component included in the communication signal and arranges one segment component in the broadcast signal. Here, of the channels not used in the broadcast signal from the broadcast station 10, the segment with the segment number “0” is used. The second relay device 14 transmits a broadcast signal via the second relay device transmission antenna 26. That is, the second relay device 14 transmits one segment component extracted by the first relay device 12 as a broadcast signal. Here, one of the first relay device 12 and the second relay device 14 corresponds to an access point of the wireless LAN system, and the other corresponds to a mobile terminal of the wireless LAN system. The access point is connected to the Internet.

  The image receiving device 16 is disposed inside the building 40, for example, at a position where a broadcast signal from the broadcast station 10 cannot be received, and at a position where the broadcast signal from the second relay device 14 can be received. The image receiving device 16 receives the broadcast signal from the second relay device 14 via the image receiving device antenna 28. The image receiving device 16 reproduces a program included in one segment component by demodulating the one segment component described above in the broadcast signal. The image receiving device 16 displays a program on a monitor (not shown). If the image receiving device 16 is arranged at a position where the broadcast signal from the broadcast station 10 can be directly received, the image receiving device 16 receives the broadcast signal from the broadcast station 10 and reproduces the program included in the broadcast signal. it can.

  The second remote control device 32 receives an instruction from the user by providing a button (not shown). Here, the instruction is an instruction for channel selection. Here, an instruction is transmitted from the second remote control device 32 to the image receiving device 16 by a pulse modulation carrier wave infrared light emission method. The image receiving device 16 reproduces a channel according to the instruction. Similarly to the second remote control device 32, the first remote control device 30 also includes a button (not shown) to receive a channel selection instruction from the user. The first remote control device 30 transmits an instruction to the second relay device 14 by a pulse modulation carrier wave infrared light emission method.

  The second relay device 14 stores the instruction in the communication signal, and transmits the communication signal to the first relay device 12 via the second relay device communication antenna 24. The first relay device 12 is set to receive a communication signal from the second relay device 14 via the first relay device communication antenna 22 and extract a channel according to the instruction. Here, the first remote control device 30 and the second remote control device 32 transmit signals of different formats. That is, the signal from the first remote control device 30 is received by the second relay device 14 but not received by the image receiving device 16, and the signal from the second remote control device 32 is received by the image receiving device. 16 is received but is not received by the first relay device 12. Here, the different formats may be incompatible formats, or may be formats that are compatible but are distinguished by an identification number or the like.

  Further, the user sets a channel to be reproduced by the image receiving device 16 as a fixed channel regardless of a channel desired to be viewed. For example, a channel not included in the broadcast signal from the broadcast station 10 is set. On the other hand, the user inputs an instruction to the first remote control device 30 so as to extract a channel desired to be viewed. The first relay device 12 extracts one segment component from the channels desired to be viewed. The second relay device 14 generates a broadcast signal by storing one segment component in a fixed channel set by the image receiving device 16.

  FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the first relay device 12. The first relay device 12 includes a first relay device reception antenna 20, a first relay device communication antenna 22, a tuner unit 50, a TS / IP conversion unit 52, a communication unit 54, a channel setting unit 56, and a control unit 58. . The tuner unit 50 includes a reception BPF 60, a reception amplification unit 62, a frequency converter 64, a quadrature detection unit 66, a demodulation unit 68, an extraction unit 70, and an oscillation unit 72. The channel setting unit 56 includes a frequency setting unit 74. The reception part 76 is included.

  The first relay device receiving antenna 20 receives a broadcast signal from a broadcast station 10 (not shown). The first relay device receiving antenna 20 outputs the received broadcast signal to the receiving BPF 60. The reception BPF 60 sets a pass band in accordance with an instruction from the frequency setting unit 74. Since a known technique may be used for the reception BPF 60, the description thereof is omitted here. The reception BPF 60 extracts a passband portion from the broadcast signal from the first relay device reception antenna 20. Here, the pass band is defined as a value that allows one channel component to be extracted. That is, the receiving BPF 60 extracts one channel component from the broadcast signal in accordance with an instruction from the frequency setting unit 74. One channel component includes a plurality of segment components. The reception BPF 60 outputs one channel component to the reception amplification unit 62.

  The reception amplification unit 62 amplifies one channel component from the reception BPF 60. Here, the channel component is a signal in the broadcast frequency band. In addition, the reception amplification unit 62 outputs the amplified channel component to the frequency converter 64. The frequency converter 64 receives a channel component from the reception amplification unit 62 and receives a local oscillation signal from the oscillation unit 72. The oscillating unit 72 sets the frequency of the local oscillation signal in accordance with an instruction from the frequency setting unit 74. Here, the frequency of the local oscillation signal is set in accordance with the passband frequency set in reception BPF 60. In response to the local oscillation signal from the oscillating unit 72, the frequency converter 64 converts the channel component of the broadcast frequency band from the reception amplifying unit 62 into the channel component of the intermediate frequency band (hereinafter, the channel component of the intermediate frequency band is also referred to as “channel component”). ). The frequency converter 64 outputs the channel component to the quadrature detection unit 66.

  The quadrature detection unit 66 performs frequency conversion from the intermediate frequency band to the baseband band by performing quadrature detection on the channel component from the frequency converter 64. Hereinafter, the channel component of the baseband is also referred to as “channel component”. The quadrature detection unit 66 outputs the channel component to the demodulation unit 68. The demodulator 68 demodulates the channel component. More specifically, the demodulator 68 converts the time domain signal to the frequency domain signal by performing FFT on the channel component. Such a signal in the frequency domain is formed by a plurality of subcarrier components. The demodulator 68 demodulates the frequency domain signal in units of subcarriers. Hereinafter, the demodulated frequency domain signal is also referred to as “frequency domain signal”. The demodulator 68 outputs the frequency domain signal to the extractor 70.

  The extraction unit 70 receives a frequency domain signal from the demodulation unit 68. The extraction unit 70 extracts one segment component from the frequency domain signal in response to an instruction from the frequency setting unit 74. As described above, since the segment number “0” is reserved for one-segment broadcasting, the instruction from the frequency setting unit 74 corresponds to the segment number “0”. Specifically, the extraction unit 70 extracts a subcarrier component corresponding to the segment number “0”. The extracted subcarrier component corresponds to one segment component. The extraction unit 70 outputs the extracted one segment component to the TS / IP conversion unit 52. Note that, when all subcarriers are TS (Transport Stream), the extraction unit 70 may filter only one-segment broadcast TS packets from the frequency domain signal corresponding to all subcarriers.

  The TS / IP conversion unit 52 receives one segment component from the extraction unit 70. One segment component from the extraction unit 70 has a TS packet format. On the other hand, a signal to be used for communication in the communication unit 54 described later has an IP (Internet Protocol) packet format. Since a well-known technique should just be used for TS packet and IP packet, description is abbreviate | omitted here. The TS / IP conversion unit 52 performs conversion from a TS packet to an IP packet for one segment component. In the subsequent processing, since re-conversion from the IP packet to the TS packet is performed, the TS / IP conversion unit 52 includes the control signal and the like in the IP packet. Hereinafter, an IP packet including one segment component is referred to as a “communication signal”. The TS / IP converter 52 outputs a communication signal to the communication unit 54.

  The communication unit 54 has a communication function corresponding to the wireless LAN system. In addition, since a well-known technique should just be used as a wireless LAN system, description is abbreviate | omitted here. The communication unit 54 performs communication with a second relay device 14 (not shown) having a wireless LAN system communication function via the first relay device communication antenna 22. The communication unit 54 receives the communication signal from the TS / IP conversion unit 52 and transmits the communication signal to the second relay device 14 via the first relay device communication antenna 22. That is, the communication unit 54 transmits the segment component extracted by the extraction unit 70 using a communication signal. Thus, by including only one segment component in the communication signal, the traffic volume of the wireless LAN system is reduced.

  The communication unit 54 receives a communication signal from the second relay device 14 via the first relay device communication antenna 22. The communication signal here includes an instruction about a channel to be extracted by the tuner unit 50. The instruction about the channel to be extracted in the tuner unit 50 is an instruction for extracting a segment included in the channel that the user desires to view. When receiving the communication signal, the communication unit 54 outputs the communication signal to the reception unit 76. The receiving unit 76 receives a communication signal from the communication unit 54. The accepting unit 76 acquires an instruction about a channel to be extracted from the communication signal. The accepting unit 76 outputs the extracted instruction to the frequency setting unit 74.

  The frequency setting unit 74 receives an instruction from the reception unit 76. Based on the instruction, the frequency setting unit 74 determines the frequency of the pass band in the reception BPF 60 and the frequency of the local oscillation signal in the oscillation unit 72. That is, the frequency setting unit 74 determines the frequency of the pass band in the reception BPF 60 and the frequency of the local oscillation signal in the oscillation unit 72 so as to extract a channel according to the instruction. Further, the frequency setting unit 74 instructs the reception BPF 60 and the oscillation unit 72 on the determined frequency. Furthermore, the frequency setting unit 74 instructs the extraction unit 70 to extract the segment component with the segment number “0”. That is, the frequency setting unit 74 instructs the tuner unit 50 to extract one segment component in response to an instruction included in the communication signal from the second relay device 14. The control unit 58 controls the overall operation of the first relay device 12.

  This configuration can be realized in terms of hardware by a CPU, memory, or other LSI of any computer, and in terms of software, it is realized by a program having a communication function loaded in the memory. Describes functional blocks realized by collaboration. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof.

  FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the second relay device 14. The second relay device 14 includes a second relay device communication antenna 24, a second relay device transmission antenna 26, a communication unit 80, an IP / TS conversion unit 82, a generation unit 84, a control unit 86, a light receiving unit 88, and a frequency setting. Part 90 and broadcast part 92. The broadcast unit 92 includes a configuration unit 110, a modulation unit 112, a quadrature modulation unit 114, a frequency converter 116, a transmission amplification unit 118, a transmission BPF 120, and an oscillation unit 122.

  Similar to the communication unit 54 (not shown), the communication unit 80 has a communication function corresponding to the wireless LAN system. The communication unit 80 performs communication with the first relay device 12 (not shown) via the second relay device communication antenna 24. The communication unit 54 receives a communication signal from the first relay device 12 via the second relay device communication antenna 24. The communication unit 80 demodulates the received communication signal and then outputs it to the IP / TS conversion unit 82. The IP / TS converter 82 performs the reverse operation of the TS / IP converter 52 (not shown). The IP / TS converter 82 receives the demodulated communication signal from the communication unit 80. Here, the communication signal corresponds to an IP packet including one segment component. The IP / TS conversion unit 82 performs conversion from an IP packet to a TS packet for one segment component. The IP / TS converter 82 outputs one segment component (hereinafter referred to as “one segment component”) converted into a TS packet to the component 110.

  The configuration unit 110 receives one segment component from the IP / TS conversion unit 82. The configuration unit 110 generates a signal in the frequency domain by arranging one segment component at the position of the segment number “0”. The configuration unit 110 outputs a frequency domain signal to the modulation unit 112. The modulation unit 112 receives a frequency domain signal from the modulation unit 112 and modulates the frequency domain signal in units of subcarriers. Also, the modulation unit 112 converts the frequency domain signal into a time domain signal by performing IFFT on the modulated frequency domain signal. Hereinafter, the signal in the time domain is also referred to as a channel component. Modulation section 112 outputs the channel component to quadrature modulation section 114.

  The orthogonal modulation unit 114 converts the channel component from the baseband to the intermediate frequency band by performing orthogonal modulation on the channel component from the modulation unit 112. Hereinafter, the channel component in the intermediate frequency band is also referred to as “channel component”. The quadrature modulation unit 114 outputs the channel component to the frequency converter 116. The frequency converter 116 converts the channel component from the orthogonal modulation unit 114 from the intermediate frequency band to the broadcast frequency band. Hereinafter, although the channel component of the broadcast frequency band is also referred to as “channel component”, the channel component corresponds to a partial frequency region of the broadcast signal received by the first relay device 12 (not shown). The channel component is also called “broadcast signal”.

  The frequency converter 116 inputs a local oscillation signal from the oscillation unit 122 for frequency conversion. Here, it is assumed that the frequency of the broadcast signal generated by the frequency converter 116 is different from the frequency of the broadcast signal transmitted from the broadcast station 10. Specifically, the channel included in the broadcast signal generated by the frequency converter 116 is different from the channel included in the broadcast signal transmitted from the broadcast station 10. Corresponding to this, the frequency of the local oscillation signal from the oscillation unit 122 is set. Since the frequency of the broadcast signal generated by the frequency converter 116 is fixed, the frequency of the local oscillation signal from the oscillation unit 122 is also fixed. The frequency converter 116 outputs the broadcast signal to the transmission amplifier 118.

  The transmission amplifier 118 amplifies the broadcast signal from the frequency converter 116 and outputs it to the transmission BPF 120. The transmission BPF 120 attenuates an image signal or the like included outside the broadcast frequency band of the received broadcast signal, and transmits the broadcast signal as an electromagnetic wave from the second relay device transmission antenna 26. That is, the broadcast unit 92 transmits one segment component included in the communication signal received by the communication unit 80 as a broadcast signal. The transmission BPF 120 sets a pass band in accordance with an instruction from the frequency setting unit 90. As described above, since the frequency of the broadcast signal generated by the frequency converter 116 is fixed, the instruction from the frequency setting unit 90 is also fixed.

  The receiving unit 76 receives a segment component selection instruction from the first remote control device 30 (not shown). Here, the segment component selection instruction corresponds to the channel selection instruction. For example, a channel to be selected is shown as a channel number. Further, as described above, the receiving unit 76 corresponds to the pulse modulation carrier wave infrared light emission method. Here, since the instruction received by the reception unit 76 has a format different from that of the instruction by the second remote control device 32 in the image receiving device 16 (not shown), the reception unit 76 receives from the second remote control device 32. Suppose you do not accept instructions. The light receiving unit 88 outputs the received instruction to the generation unit 84 and also outputs it to the frequency setting unit 90.

  The generation unit 84 generates a communication signal so as to include an instruction from the light receiving unit 88. The generation unit 84 outputs the communication signal to the communication unit 80, and the communication unit 80 transmits the communication signal to the first relay device 12 (not shown) via the second relay device communication antenna 24. The frequency setting unit 90 sets frequencies in the configuration unit 110, the oscillation unit 122, and the transmission BPF 120 in accordance with an instruction from the light receiving unit 88. As described above, it is assumed here that the frequency setting is fixed. The control unit 86 controls the overall operation of the second relay device 14.

  The operation of the relay system 100 configured as above will be described. The tuner unit 50 of the first relay device 12 extracts one segment component in one channel from the broadcast signal from the broadcast station 10, and the communication unit 54 includes the segment component in the communication signal for transmission. The communication unit 80 of the second relay device 14 receives the communication signal from the first relay device 12, and the broadcast unit 92 transmits the segment component included in the communication signal by including it in the broadcast signal. The image receiving device 16 receives the broadcast signal from the second relay device 14 and displays it after reproducing the program. Here, it is assumed that the user is viewing the program with the channel number “1”. At that time, the user inputs the selection of the channel number “1” at the first remote control device 30, and inputs the selection of the channel number “50” at the second remote control device 32. The channel number “50” is not used in the broadcast signal from the broadcast station 10.

  Here, the user changes the program to be viewed from the channel number “1” to the channel number “2”. At that time, the user inputs the selection of the channel number “2” at the first remote control device 30 and does not input the selection to the second remote control device 32. The second relay device 14 stores the received selection instruction in the communication signal and transmits the communication signal to the first relay device 12. The tuner unit 50 of the first relay device 12 extracts the channel component of the channel number “2” in response to the selection instruction.

  Until now, the first remote control device 30 has transmitted an instruction to the second relay device 14, and the second remote control device 32 has transmitted an instruction to the image receiving device 16. However, the first remote control device 30 may transmit an instruction to the second relay device 14 and the image receiving device 16. The second remote control device 32 is not necessary. At that time, the segment component selection instruction received by the reception unit 76 in FIG. 14 has the same format as the segment component selection instruction in the image receiving device 16. That is, the first remote control device 30 transmits the instruction to the second relay device 14 and the image receiving device 16, and the second relay device 14 and the image receiving device 16 set a channel according to the instruction. At that time, the frequency of the broadcast signal transmitted from the second relay device 14 is the same as the frequency of the broadcast signal from the broadcast station 10. Therefore, the channels set in the reception BPF 60, the oscillation unit 72, and the extraction unit 70, the channels set in the configuration unit 110, the oscillation unit 122, and the transmission BPF 120, and the channels set in the image receiving device 16 are common. . The configurations of the first relay device 12 and the second relay device 14 are the same types as those in FIGS. 2 and 3, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  Hereinafter, modifications of the present invention will be described. In the relay system 100 according to the embodiment, one first relay device 12 and one second relay device 14 are included. In the relay system 100 according to the modified example, one first relay device 12 and a plurality of second relay devices 14 are included. The structure of the 2nd relay apparatus 14 which concerns on a modification is the same type as FIG. The communication unit 80 is assigned an IP address, and the generation unit 84 also stores the IP address in the communication signal. Different IP addresses are assigned to the plurality of second relay apparatuses 14. Moreover, the frequency of the broadcast signal transmitted from the some 2nd relay apparatus 14 differs mutually.

  FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the first relay device 12 according to a modification of the present invention. The first repeater 12 includes a demultiplexing unit 140, a first tuner unit 50a collectively referred to as a tuner unit 50, a second tuner unit 50b, an Nth tuner unit 50n, and a first TS / IP conversion unit 52 collectively referred to as a TS / IP conversion unit 52. An IP conversion unit 52a, a second TS / IP conversion unit 52b, an NTS / IP conversion unit 52n, a communication unit 54, a channel setting unit 56, and a control unit 58 are included. The channel setting unit 56 includes a frequency setting unit 74, a receiving unit 76, and a ch-IP address management unit 142.

  The demultiplexing unit 140 includes an input terminal on the first relay device receiving antenna 20 side and an output terminal corresponding to each of the plurality of tuner units 50 side. The demultiplexing unit 140 outputs the broadcast signal input from the first relay device receiving antenna 20 to the plurality of tuner units 50. The tuner unit 50 and the TS / IP conversion unit 52 have the same configuration as that in FIG. 2, but are associated with each second relay device 14 (not shown). For example, the combination of the first tuner unit 50a and the first TS / IP conversion unit 52a and the combination of the second tuner unit 50b and the second TS / IP conversion unit 52b are independent of the second relay devices 14 that are different from each other. The above processing is executed. The processing for different second relay apparatuses 14 corresponds to the processing for different IP addresses.

  The accepting unit 76 inputs a communication signal from each second relay device 14 (not shown) via the communication unit 54. The receiving unit 76 acquires an instruction regarding a channel to be extracted and the IP address of the second relay device 14 that is a transmission source. The receiving unit 76 outputs the instruction about the channel to be extracted to the ch-IP address management unit 142 while associating the IP address of the second relay device 14 that is the transmission source. The ch-IP address management unit 142 manages the combination of the channel to be extracted and the IP address of the second relay device 14 for each second relay device 14. FIG. 5 shows the data structure of the database in the ch-IP address management unit 142. The database includes an IP address column 200 and a selection channel column 202.

  The IP address column 200 shows the IP address of each second relay device 14, and the selection channel column 202 shows the channel number corresponding to the IP address. The frequency setting unit 74 sets the frequency of the tuner unit 50 while referring to the database stored in the ch-IP address management unit 142. Here, the second relay device 14 having the IP address “A1” in FIG. 5 is associated with the first tuner unit 50a, and the second relay device 14 having the IP address “A2” is associated with the second tuner unit 50b. Suppose that Therefore, the frequency setting unit 74 sets the frequency of the first tuner unit 50a so as to extract the channel number “B1”, and sets the frequency of the second tuner unit 50b so as to extract the channel number “B2”.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, since the relay device is divided into the first relay device and the second relay device, and the wireless LAN system is used between them, the transmission power from the second relay device can be reduced. . Moreover, since the transmission power from the second relay device is lowered, the occurrence of interference can be suppressed. Moreover, since the occurrence of interference is suppressed, the degree of freedom of installation of the second relay device can be increased. Further, since the wireless LAN system is used between the first relay device and the second relay device, the area can be expanded. Further, since the wireless LAN system is used between the first relay device and the second relay device, the area can be expanded while increasing the degree of freedom of installation of the second relay device. Moreover, since one segment component is extracted and stored in the communication signal, an increase in the transmission capacity of the communication signal can be suppressed.

  In addition, since an increase in the transmission capacity of the communication signal is suppressed, even if a signal for Internet access is transmitted between the first relay device and the second relay device, the influence on the Internet access Can be reduced. In addition, since the second relay device receives an instruction to select a segment component, the capacity of the communication signal can be reduced while enabling viewing of a desired segment. In addition, since the segment selection in the second relay device and the image receiving device is performed independently, the desired segment can be viewed by controlling only the second relay device if the segment of the image receiving device is fixed.

  In addition, since the user only needs to transmit an instruction to the second relay device, convenience can be improved. In addition, since the second relay device and the image receiving device are selected in common, the image receiving device and the second relay device can be controlled integrally. Further, since the user only transmits an integrated instruction to the image receiving device and the second relay device, convenience can be improved. In addition, since a plurality of second relay devices can be connected to one first relay device, the area can be further expanded.

  In the above, this invention was demonstrated based on the Example. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. .

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the communication system between the first relay device 12 and the second relay device 14 is a wireless LAN system. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the communication system may be a wired LAN system. According to this modification, the transmission quality of the communication system can be improved.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the receiving BPF 60 extracts one channel. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the reception BPF 60 may extract a plurality of channels. In that case, the extraction unit 70 extracts segment components from each of the plurality of channels. According to this modification, the number of channels that can be relayed simultaneously can be increased. That is, the number of channels may be adjusted according to the transmission capacity of the communication system.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the receiving BPF 60 extracts one channel component from the broadcast signal, and the extracting unit 70 extracts one segment component from one channel component. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the demodulator 68 may perform FFT on the entire broadcast signal, and the extractor 70 may extract segment components from the frequency domain signal. According to this modification, the control can be simplified.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, a broadcast signal input at the broadcast station 10 includes a plurality of channels, and each channel is reserved for one-segment broadcast segment components (hereinafter referred to as “one-segment broadcast segment components”). ) Is included. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, each of the plurality of segment components included in the channel may be a one-segment broadcast segment component. At that time, the extraction unit 70 selects one of a plurality of one-segment broadcast segment components in accordance with an instruction from the frequency setting unit 74. Further, the frequency setting unit 74 fixes the frequency setting for the reception BPF 60 and the oscillation unit 72 and changes the setting for the extraction unit 70 in accordance with an instruction. According to this modification, the present invention can be applied to various types of broadcast signals.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the first relay device 12 extracts the one-segment broadcast segment component from the broadcast signal, stores the one-segment broadcast segment component in the communication signal, and transmits it to the second relay device 14. Yes. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first relay device 12 may extract a predetermined number of segment components from the broadcast signal, store the predetermined number of segment components in the communication signal, and transmit the segment signal to the second relay device 14. . An example of the predetermined number of segment components is three segment components. That is, it is only necessary to extract at least one segment component that is smaller than the number of segments included in the channel. According to this modification, the present invention can be applied to digital radio broadcasting.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the relay system which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the 1st relay apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the 2nd relay apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the 1st relay apparatus which concerns on the modification of this invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of a database in the ch-IP address management unit in FIG. 4.

Explanation of symbols

  12 First relay device, 14 Second relay device, 20 First relay device reception antenna, 22 First relay device communication antenna, 24 Second relay device communication antenna, 26 Second relay device transmission antenna, 30th 1 remote control device, 32 second remote control device, 50 tuner unit, 52 TS / IP conversion unit, 54 communication unit, 56 channel setting unit, 58 control unit, 60 reception BPF, 62 reception amplification unit, 64 frequency converter , 66 quadrature detection unit, 68 demodulation unit, 70 extraction unit, 72 oscillation unit, 74 frequency setting unit, 76 reception unit, 80 communication unit, 82 IP / TS conversion unit, 84 generation unit, 86 control unit, 88 light reception unit, 90 frequency setting unit, 92 broadcasting unit, 100 relay system, 110 component unit, 112 modulation unit, 114 quadrature modulation unit, 116 frequency converter, 118 transmission amplification unit, 120 transmission BPF, 122 oscillation unit

Claims (3)

A reception unit that receives a broadcast signal including at least one channel formed by a plurality of segments, an extraction unit that extracts at least one segment component from the broadcast signal received by the reception unit, and an extraction unit that extracts the broadcast signal A first relay device including a first communication unit that transmits a segment component by a communication signal;
A second communication unit that receives a communication signal from the first communication unit; a transmission unit that transmits at least one segment component included in the communication signal received by the second communication unit as a broadcast signal; and a remote control A second relay device including a receiving unit that receives an instruction to select a segment component from the device,
The second communication unit transmits an instruction received in the reception unit by a communication signal,
The first communication unit receives a communication signal from the second communication unit,
The said extraction part extracts at least 1 segment component according to the instruction | indication contained in the communication signal received in the said 1st communication part, The relay system characterized by the above-mentioned. The transmitter transmits a broadcast signal to a receiver in a frequency band different from the broadcast signal received by the receiver,
The relay system according to claim 1, wherein the segment component selection instruction received by the reception unit has a format different from that of the segment component selection instruction by a remote control device in the receiver. The transmission unit transmits a broadcast signal to a receiver in a frequency band included in the broadcast signal received by the reception unit,
2. The relay system according to claim 1, wherein the segment component selection instruction received by the reception unit has a common format with a segment component selection instruction by a remote control device in the receiver.

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