JP2010016527A - Optical reception device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical reception device for preventing the unauthorized use, which invalidates the stop of a broadcasting service by remote control. <P>SOLUTION: The optical reception device includes a body unit 10 and a remote control unit 30 which is separated from each other, and a signal output from a connector 18 for coaxial cable connection is limited when the remote control unit 30 has history mounted on the body unit 10 and is not mounted on the body unit 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical receiver (V-ONU: Video-Optical Network Unit: broadcast optical subscriber terminal device) that is installed on the subscriber side of an optical transmission system and converts a received broadcast optical signal into an electrical signal. .

  Conventionally, V-ONUs having no remote control function have been used in optical transmission systems (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3). In an optical transmission system using V-ONU that does not have a remote control function, if a broadcast service provision stoppage reason such as non-payment of charges occurs, the person in charge of the broadcast service provider visits the subscriber's home, Work to prevent RF (Radio Frequency) signals from being output from the V-ONU at the subscriber's home is performed on the V-ONU, and the RF signal output from the V-ONU is physically cut off.

  On the other hand, in recent years, Nippon Cable Lab has established the V-ONU remote control operation specification (JCL SPEC-014 1.0 version), so it is considered that V-ONU with remote control functions will be widely used in the future. . A V-ONU having a remote control function can remotely control stop / restart of each V-ONU's broadcasting service at the center of the optical transmission system. This eliminates the need for a broadcast service provider's visit to the subscriber's home in the event of a suspension of broadcast service provision such as unpaid fees, reducing the human and time burden on the broadcast service provider. In addition, since the person in charge of the broadcasting service provider does not have to confront the customer (subscriber), it is possible to prevent troubles between the person in charge of the broadcasting service provider and the customer (subscriber). There is.

  Here, as a form of the V-ONU having a remote control function, a configuration having a main unit and a remote control unit and making them separable can be considered. According to such a configuration, when only the main unit is used, it can be used as a V-ONU that does not have a remote control function, and when a remote control unit is attached to the main unit, it can be used as a V-ONU that has a remote control function. It can be used for both optical transmission systems that remotely control V-ONUs and optical transmission systems that do not remotely control V-ONUs.

JP 2007-288384 A (paragraph 0022, FIG. 2) JP 2007-124175 A (paragraph 0034, paragraph 0035, FIG. 4) Utility Model Registration No. 3134762 (Summary)

  However, when the V-ONU having a remote control function is configured to have a main unit and a remote control unit and can be separated from each other, the subscriber intentionally removes the remote control unit from the main unit. There is a possibility of unauthorized use that disables the suspension of broadcasting services by control.

  In view of the above situation, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical receiver that prevents unauthorized use that disables the suspension of a broadcast service by remote control.

  To achieve the above object, an optical receiver according to the present invention includes a main unit having a function of converting a received broadcast optical signal into an electrical signal, and a remote control unit sharing at least a part of the remote control function. The main unit and the remote control unit are separable from each other, and the main unit stores storage history information related to a history of mounting the remote control unit on the main unit. A mounting history determination unit that determines whether or not there is a history of mounting the remote control unit on the main body unit based on the mounting history information; and whether the remote control unit is mounted on the main body unit It is determined by the mounting determination unit that determines whether or not the remote control unit is mounted on the main unit by the mounting history determination unit. And a limiting unit that limits a signal output from the main body unit when the mounting determination unit determines that the remote control unit is not mounted on the main body unit (hereinafter, referred to as a configuration). The first configuration).

  According to such a configuration, there is a history that the remote control unit is mounted on the main unit, and when the remote control unit is not mounted on the main unit, the signal output from the main unit is limited. Unauthorized use that disables the suspension of broadcasting services by remote control can be prevented. Examples of the restriction on the signal output from the main unit include an aspect in which the signal output from the main unit is set to OFF, and an aspect in which the band of the signal output from the main unit is limited.

  In the optical receiver having the first configuration, the mounting history determination unit determines that there is no history of the remote control unit mounted on the main unit, and the mounting determination unit determines that the main unit When it is determined that the remote control unit is not mounted, it is desirable that the signal output from the main unit is not limited (hereinafter referred to as a second configuration).

  According to such a configuration, when there is no history that the remote control unit is attached to the main unit, it is possible to operate using only the main unit and not using the remote control function.

  In the optical receiver having the second configuration, it is preferable that the mounting history information stored in the storage unit can be deleted by inputting a special command to the main unit.

  According to such a configuration, the history of the remote control unit being attached to the main unit can be deleted by inputting a special command, so even if the remote control unit is removed after the remote control unit is once attached to the main unit, Operation that uses only the main unit and does not use the remote control function becomes possible again.

  According to the optical receiver according to the present invention, there is a restriction on the signal output from the main unit when there is a history of the remote control unit being mounted on the main unit and the remote control unit is not mounted on the main unit. Therefore, it is possible to prevent unauthorized use that invalidates the suspension of the broadcast service by remote control.

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

<Optical transmission system>
FIG. 1 shows an example of a schematic configuration of an optical transmission system for CATV that uses an optical receiver according to the present invention.

  The optical transmission system shown in FIG. 1 includes a V-ONU remote control personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a V-ONU remote control personal computer) 1, an FSK (Frequency Shift Keying) modulator 2, a mixer 3, and optical transmission. Device 4, optical fiber 5, optical branching device 6, optical fibers 7-1 to 7-n, V-ONUs 8-1 to 8-n, and television receivers 9-1 to 9-n. .

  The V-ONU remote control personal computer 1, the FSK modulator 2, the mixer 3, and the optical transmitter 4 are installed in the center station, and the optical splitter 6 is installed in the transmission line. ˜8-n and television receivers 9-1 to 9-n are installed in each subscriber's house. The optical branching unit 6 may be installed on the center station side.

  The V-ONU remote control personal computer 1 stores the V-ONU remote control software in an internal storage unit (not shown). By executing the V-ONU remote control software, a unique address can be obtained. A remote control signal corresponding to each of the V-ONUs 8-1 to 8-n assigned thereto is periodically generated, and the remote control signal is output to the FSK modulator 2. The FSK modulator 2 performs FSK modulation on the remote control signal from the V-ONU remote control personal computer 1 and sends it to the mixer 3. The content of the remote control signal is determined by whether the RF signal output from the V-ONU is set to ON or OFF for each address assigned to the V-ONUs 8-1 to 8-n.

  The mixer 3 outputs a mixed signal obtained by mixing the RF signal, which is a TV signal, and the FSK-modulated remote control signal from the FSK modulator 2 to the optical transmitter 4. The optical transmitter 4 converts the mixed signal from the mixer 3 into an optical signal and transmits the optical signal to the optical branching device 6 via the optical fiber 5. For example, the optical transmitter 4 adjusts the degree of optical modulation in accordance with a change in the mixed signal from the mixer 3, and then converts the mixed signal from the mixer 3 into an optical signal by a laser diode.

  The optical branching device 6 branches the optical signal transmitted by the optical fiber 5 by n (n is a natural number) and passes through each optical fiber 7-1 to 7-n to each V-ONU 8-1 to each subscriber house. Transmit to 8-n. Each V-ONU 8-1 to 8-n at each subscriber's house converts the received optical signal into an electrical signal, and the RF signal included in the electrical signal is transmitted via each coaxial cable at each subscriber's house. The data is transmitted to each television receiver 9-1 to 9-n at each subscriber's house.

<V-ONU>
Each of the V-ONUs 8-1 to 8-n is an optical receiver according to the present invention, and includes a main unit 10 and a remote control unit 30. When the remote control unit 30 is not attached to the main unit 10, the result is as shown in FIG. 2, and when the remote control unit 30 is attached to the main unit 10, the terminal 24 of the main unit 10 is shown in FIG. To 26 and terminals 34 to 36 of the remote control unit 30 are connected to each other. As shown in FIG. 3, when the remote control unit 30 is mounted on the main unit 10, remote control from the center station is possible.

  The main unit 10 has an optical connector 11, a function of converting an optical signal from the optical connector 11 into an electrical signal, and a function of separating the electrical signal into an RF signal that is a TV signal and an FSK-modulated remote control signal. An optical detection unit 12 having an amplifier, an amplifier 13 for amplifying an RF signal from the optical detection unit 12, a first gain control unit 14 for adjusting the gain of the RF signal from the amplifier 13, and an RF from the first gain control unit 14 An amplifier 15 that amplifies the signal, a second gain control unit 16 that adjusts the gain of the RF signal from the amplifier 15, an amplifier 17 that amplifies the RF signal from the second gain control unit 16, and the RF signal from the amplifier 17 A coaxial cable connector 18, a main microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a main microcomputer) 19, a D / A converter 21, and an LED (Light Emitting Diode). A driving unit 22, the received light level display LED 23, a terminal 24 to 26, and a power supply terminal 27, and a power control unit 28. The main microcomputer 19 includes a nonvolatile memory (for example, a flash memory) 20 and pins P1 to P6.

  The main microcomputer 19 receives information on the light reception level of the optical signal input by the light detection unit 12 at the port P1, outputs an LED drive control signal corresponding to the light reception level from the port P4 to the LED drive unit 22, and receives the light reception level. Is output to the D / A converter 21 from the port P3. The LED drive unit 22 drives the light reception level display LED 23 in accordance with the LED drive control signal. The D / A converter 21 converts the gain adjustment signal from a digital signal to an analog signal and supplies the converted signal to the first gain control unit 14 and the second gain control unit 16. The first gain control unit 14 and the second gain control unit 16 each adjust the gain according to the gain adjustment signal.

  The main microcomputer 19 controls the power supply control unit 28 by a control signal from the port P2. The power supply control unit 28 turns on / off power supply to the amplifiers 13, 15, 17, the first gain control unit 14, and the second gain control unit 16 in accordance with a control signal from the port P 2. When the power supply is turned on, the power supply control unit 28 supplies the power supplied from the power supply unit 29 via the power supply terminal 27 to the amplifiers 13, 15, 17, the first gain control unit 14, and the second gain control unit 16. Supply. Thereby, the RF signal output from the V-ONU is set to ON. On the other hand, when turning off the power supply, the power supply control unit 28 uses the power supplied from the power supply unit 29 via the power supply terminal 27 to the amplifiers 13, 15, 17, the first gain control unit 14, and the second gain control unit. 16 is not supplied. Thereby, the RF signal output from the V-ONU is set to OFF.

  The main microcomputer 19 stores the remote control information supplied from the port P9 to the port P5 of the sub-microcomputer 32 in the nonvolatile memory 20 when the remote control unit 30 is mounted on the main unit 10.

  Further, the main microcomputer 19 determines whether or not the remote control unit 30 is attached to the main unit 10 based on the voltage of the port P6. For example, an embodiment in which a predetermined voltage is applied to the port P6 when the terminal 25 and the terminal 35 are not connected, and the port P6 falls to the ground when the terminal 25 and the terminal 35 are connected is considered. It is done.

  The remote control unit 30 includes an FSK demodulator 31, a sub microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a sub microcomputer) 32, and terminals 34 to 36. The sub-microcomputer 32 includes a non-volatile memory (for example, a flash memory) 33 and pins P7 to P9.

  When the remote control unit 30 is mounted on the main unit 10, the FSK demodulator 31 performs FSK demodulation of the FSK-modulated remote control signal supplied from the light detection unit 12 and supplies it to the port P 7 of the sub-microcomputer 32. To do.

  The sub-microcomputer 32 extracts remote control information that matches its own V-ONU address from the remote control signal supplied from the FSK demodulator 31 to the port P7 when the remote control unit 30 is mounted on the main unit 10. And stored in the nonvolatile memory 33.

  Further, when the remote control unit 30 is mounted on the main unit 10, the sub-microcomputer 32 periodically outputs the remote control information stored in the nonvolatile memory 33 from the port P9 by serial communication, for example.

  Next, the schematic operation of the main microcomputer 19 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the main unit 10 is turned on, the main microcomputer 19 is activated and the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 is started. When the remote control unit 30 is attached to the main unit 10, the remote control unit 30 is supplied with power from the main unit 10 and is turned on.

  In step S10, the main microcomputer 19 determines whether or not the remote control unit 30 is mounted. If the remote control unit 30 is not mounted (NO in step S10), the main microcomputer 19 stores the non-volatile memory 20. It is determined whether or not the storage history information is stored (step S20). In the present embodiment, remote control information excluding special commands corresponds to the mounting history information.

  When the determination result that the mounting history information is not stored is obtained (NO in step S20), the main microcomputer 19 sets the RF signal output of V-ONU to ON (step S30). By the processing of step S10, step S20, and step S30, each of the V-ONUs 8-1 to 8-n uses only the main unit 10 and uses the remote control function when there is no history of mounting the remote control unit 30. Operation not to be possible.

  When the determination result that the mounting history information is stored is obtained (YES in step S20), the main microcomputer 19 sets the RF signal output of the V-ONU to OFF (step S40). By the processing of step S10, step S20, and step S40, each V-ONU 8-1 to 8-n turns on the RF signal output without mounting the remote control unit when there is a history of mounting the remote control unit 30. I can't. Therefore, the subscriber can intentionally remove the remote control unit 30 from the main unit 10 to prevent unauthorized use that invalidates the suspension of the broadcast service by remote control.

  If it is determined in step S10 that the remote control unit 30 is attached (YES in step S10), the main microcomputer 10 performs RF based on the remote control information stored in the non-volatile memory 20. If output control is performed, that is, if the remote control information indicates an RF signal output ON setting, the RF signal output from the V-ONU is set ON, and the remote control information sets the RF signal output OFF. If so, the RF signal output from the V-ONU is set to OFF (step S50). In step S60 following step S50, the main microcomputer 10 determines whether or not remote control information from the sub-microcomputer 32 has been newly sent.

  If remote control information is not newly sent from the sub-microcomputer 32 (NO in step S60), the process directly returns to step S10. If remote control information is newly sent from the sub-microcomputer 32 (YES in step S60), it is determined whether the information is a special command (step S70).

  If the remote control information from the sub-microcomputer 32 is not a special command (NO in step S70), the remote control information stored in the nonvolatile memory 20 is updated (step S80), and then the process returns to step S10. Each of the V-ONUs 8-1 to 8-n can be operated using the remote control function in a state in which the remote control unit 30 is mounted on the main body unit 10 by the processing of step S10 to step S80.

  If the remote control information from the sub-microcomputer 32 is a special command (YES in step S70), the mounting history information stored in the nonvolatile memory 20 is deleted (step S90), and then the process returns to step S10. Since the history of mounting the remote control unit 30 can be deleted by inputting such a special command, the operation using only the main unit 10 and not using the remote control function can be performed again. The input of the special command is performed when, for example, the main unit 10 is equipped with a data writing device for writing a special command (controlling the voltage of the port P6 of the main microcomputer 19 so that the remote control unit 30 is mounted on the main unit 10). It may be executed by connecting a special command that can be judged by the microcomputer 19 and can be regarded as remote control information from the sub-microcomputer 21 to the port P5 of the main microcomputer.

  For example, when the main unit 10 is turned off due to a power failure or the like, the operation of the flowchart shown in FIG. When the main unit 10 is turned on again, the flow returns to “START” in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 and the operation of the flowchart is resumed.

<Deformation, etc.>
The content of the remote control is not limited to ON / OFF of the RF signal output from the V-ONU, and may be, for example, band control of the RF signal output from the V-ONU. When the RF signal is composed of a terrestrial digital broadcast TV signal, a BS digital broadcast TV signal, and a 110-degree CS digital broadcast TV signal, an arbitrary TV signal can be selected from the two TV signals by performing band control. Can be selected and output from V-ONU. In this case, a band control unit that performs band control of the RF signal output to the amplifier 13 based on a command from the main microcomputer 19 may be provided in the light detection unit 12.

  In the above-described embodiment, the power from the power supply unit 29 is supplied to the power supply control unit 28 via the power supply terminal 27, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the power supply terminal 27 is eliminated, the power supply unit 29 is provided between the main unit 100 and the television receiver, the power from the power supply unit 29 is superimposed on the coaxial cable, and the power supply is controlled via the coaxial cable connector 18. You may make it supply to the part 28. FIG.

These are figures which show the example of 1 schematic structure of the optical transmission system which uses the optical receiver which concerns on this invention. These are figures which show the example of 1 structure of the optical receiver which concerns on this invention in the state where the remote control unit is not mounted | worn with the main body unit. These are figures which show the example of 1 structure of the optical receiver which concerns on this invention in the state with which the remote control unit is mounted | worn with the main body unit. These are flowcharts which show schematic operation | movement of the main microcomputer of a main body unit.

Explanation of symbols

1 V-ONU PC for remote control 2 FSK modulator 3 Mixer 4 Optical transmitter 5 Optical fiber 6 Optical splitter 7-1 to 7-n Optical fiber 8-1 to 8-n V-ONU
9-1 to 9-n Television receiver 10 Main unit 11 Optical connector 12 Optical detection unit 13, 15, 17 Amplifier 14 First gain control unit 16 Second gain control unit 18 Connector for coaxial cable connection 19 Main microcomputer 20, 33 Non-volatile memory 21 D / A converter 22 LED drive unit 23 Light reception level display LED
24-26, 34-36 Terminal 27 Power supply terminal 28 Power supply control part 29 Power supply part 30 Remote control unit 31 FSK demodulator 32 Sub microcomputer P1-P9 pin

Claims (3)

A main body unit having a function of converting the received broadcast optical signal into an electrical signal, and a remote control unit sharing at least a part of the remote control function;
The main unit and the remote control unit are separable from each other;
The main unit is
A storage unit for storing mounting history information related to a history of mounting the remote control unit on the main unit;
Based on the mounting history information, a mounting history determination unit that determines whether there is a history of mounting the remote control unit on the main unit,
A mounting determination unit that determines whether or not the remote control unit is mounted on the main unit;
The mounting history determination unit determines that there is a history of mounting the remote control unit on the main unit, and the mounting determination unit determines that the remote control unit is not mounted on the main unit. And a limiting unit that limits a signal output from the main body unit.   The mounting history determination unit determines that there is no history of mounting the remote control unit on the main unit, and the mounting determination unit determines that the remote control unit is not mounted on the main unit. The optical receiver according to claim 1, wherein no restriction is imposed on a signal output from the main body unit.   The optical receiver according to claim 2, wherein the mounting history information stored in the storage unit can be deleted by inputting a special command to the main unit.

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