JP2012156841A - Digital broadcast receiver and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To permit a device connected to a network to manage itself based on a state of an other device connected to the network.SOLUTION: A digital broadcast receiver includes: a digital broadcast reception execution section 113 performing a processing for receiving digital broadcast; a broadcast reception control section managing an operation setting state including an operation state showing a state where the digital broadcast reception execution section 113 operates, and a setting state showing a state of information required in the digital broadcast reception execution section 113; a power supply device 109; a power supply control section managing a power supply state showing the state of power which the power supply device 110 supplies; and a device state acquirement processing section generating device state information showing the operation setting state and the power supply state and transmitting the device state information to the other device connected to the network via a network card 110.

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital broadcast receiving apparatus and an information processing method performed by the digital broadcast receiving apparatus.

  A network includes at least two devices including software (for example, a program that performs processing according to a specific protocol and a driver program) for communicating with each other, and hardware (for example, a network cable, a hub, a switch, It is configured by connecting with a specific frequency of radio waves and infrared rays. By communicating with each other between these devices, it is possible to make a request from one to the other, to perform processing according to the request from the other, and to share data with each other.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a server that manages the power supply of a device in a network, stops power supply to a part constituting the device, and restarts power supply to the part in response to a key input or the like Is disclosed.

JP 2005-312011 A

In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, in order to manage the power supply of a device in a network, a server that transmits a power management request to the device is required. In other words, in addition to the devices constituting the network, a server for managing the devices is required separately.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to enable a device connected to a network to manage itself based on the state of another device connected to the network.

  A digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention controls a digital broadcast reception execution unit that executes processing for receiving a digital broadcast, and the digital broadcast reception execution unit, and the digital broadcast reception execution unit is in operation. A broadcast reception control unit for managing an operation setting state including an operation state indicating a state and a setting state indicating a state of information required in the digital broadcast reception execution unit, a power supply device, and controlling the power supply device, A power supply control unit that manages a power supply state indicating a state of power supplied by the power supply device, a communication unit that transmits / receives information to / from a network, and another device in which the communication unit is connected to the network When receiving a request, a process of generating device state information indicating the operation setting state and the power supply state and sending the device state information to the other device via the communication unit A device status acquisition unit which performs, characterized in that it comprises a.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, a device connected to a network can manage itself based on the state of another device connected to the network.

3 is a functional block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a digital broadcast receiving device according to Embodiments 1 and 2. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a control unit according to Embodiments 1 and 2. FIG. In Embodiment 1, it is a sequence diagram which shows a process in case the digital broadcast receiver is newly connected to the network to which the other digital broadcast receiver is connected. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a network system in a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of device information in the first embodiment. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of type detection information according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of apparatus state information according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by the digital broadcast receiving device when a device status acquisition request is received by the digital broadcast receiving device in the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing in which the digital broadcast receiving device transmits a device state acquisition request and receives device state information in the first embodiment. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of channel scan information in Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of channel scan information in Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of channel scan information in Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of user setting information according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of update information in the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a network system in a second embodiment. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of type detection information in Embodiment 2. FIG.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. The digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 includes a tuner 101, a demodulation unit 102, a demultiplexer 103, a decoder 104, an encoder 105, a memory 106, a recording device 107, a CPU 108, a power supply device 109, and a communication unit. A network card 110, an interface (hereinafter referred to as I / F) 111, and a bus 112 that connects them to each other are provided. Further, the tuner 101, the demodulator 102, the demultiplexer 103, the decoder 104, the encoder 105, the memory 106, the recording device 107, and the CPU 108 constitute a digital broadcast reception executing unit 113 that executes a process of receiving a digital broadcast. The digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 may not include the encoder 105. In such a case, the digital broadcast reception executing unit 113 is configured by a portion excluding the encoder 105. Further, the reference numerals in parentheses in FIG. 1 indicate the configuration in the second embodiment.

Tuner 101 generates an electrical signal from a received signal received by an antenna (not shown) or network card 110 and provides this electrical signal to demodulation section 102.
The demodulator 102 demodulates the electrical signal supplied from the tuner 101, generates a TS (Transport Stream), and supplies this TS to the demultiplexer 103.
The demultiplexer 103 performs demultiplex processing on the TS given from the demodulation unit 102. For example, PSI (Program Specific Information: Program Specific Information) and SI (Service Information: Program Arrangement Information) are separated from TS, and program information is generated by these and recorded in the recording device 107. Further, based on the program information, the PID (Packet Identifier: TS packet identifier) of the video TS packet and audio TS packet in the TS is extracted, and the video TS packet and audio are filtered by filtering the TS based on the extracted PID. The TS packets are separated, and these video TS packets and audio TS packets are given to the decoder 104.
The decoder 104 decodes the video data and the audio data included in the video packet and the audio packet given from the demultiplexer 103, respectively, generates a video signal and an audio signal, and in response to an instruction from the CPU 108, The video signal and the audio signal are supplied to the CPU 108 or the encoder 105. For example, the decoder 104 includes a still picture decoder, a moving picture decoder, and an audio decoder.
The decoder 104 decodes encoded video data and encoded audio data recorded in the recording device 107 to generate a video signal and an audio signal, and supplies the video signal and the audio signal to the CPU 108.
The encoder 105 encodes the video signal and audio signal supplied from the decoder 104 to generate encoded video data and encoded audio data, and records the encoded video data and encoded audio data in the recording device 107. Let

The memory 106 and the recording device 107 are storage units that store information necessary for processing in the digital broadcast receiving device 100.
For example, the memory 106 stores software and temporary data necessary for processing by the CPU 108. Further, the recording device 107 stores the encoded video data and encoded audio data given from the encoder 105, and program information generated from the information separated by the demultiplexer 103. The recording device 107 stores software executed by the CPU 108.
The CPU 108 functions as a control unit by executing software stored in the recording device 107.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the control unit 120 realized by the CPU 108 executing software stored in the recording device 107. The control unit 120 includes a screen control unit 121, a broadcast reception control unit 122, an operation setting state acquisition unit 123, a power supply control unit 124, a power supply state acquisition unit 125, a device state processing unit 126, and a type processing unit 127. With. Here, the operation setting state acquisition unit 123, the power supply state acquisition unit 125, and the device state processing unit 126 constitute a device state acquisition processing unit 128. Note that the reference numerals in parentheses in FIG. 2 indicate the configuration in the second embodiment.

In response to an instruction from the broadcast reception control unit 122, the screen control unit 121 executes a process of outputting the video signal given from the broadcast reception control unit 122 to the monitor 130 via the I / F 111.
The broadcast reception control unit 122 controls the tuner 101, the demodulation unit 102, the demultiplexer 103, the decoder 104, the encoder 105, the memory 106, the recording device 107, and the like to receive digital broadcasts and output video and audio. Execute. Also, the broadcast reception control unit 122 notifies the operation setting state acquisition unit 123 of the operation setting states of the respective units of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 in response to a request from the operation setting state acquisition unit 123. Here, the operation setting state includes an operation state and a setting state. The operating state includes, for example, whether the tuner 101 is used, whether the demodulator 102 is used, whether the demultiplexer 103 is used, whether the decoder 104 is used, whether the encoder 105 is used, Whether the storage capacity of the memory 106 exceeds a predetermined threshold, whether the storage capacity of the recording device 107 exceeds a predetermined threshold, etc. As shown, the digital broadcast reception execution unit 113 is in operation. Also, the setting status includes whether or not channel scan is completed and channel scan information is acquired, whether or not user settings have been changed from the initial settings, whether or not logo information acquisition has been completed, etc. Shows the state of information required by the digital broadcast reception execution unit 113.
Also, the broadcast reception control unit 122 performs processing for acquiring information necessary for processing in the own device from the other device based on the device state information received from the other device.
Furthermore, when the network card 110 receives an information acquisition request from another device, the broadcast reception control unit 122 executes a process of transmitting the requested information.
The operation setting state acquisition unit 123 gives the apparatus state processing unit 126 the operation setting state given by the broadcast reception control unit 122.

The power control unit 124 controls power supply to each unit of the digital broadcast receiving device 100 by controlling the power supply device 109. Further, the power supply control unit 124 notifies the power supply state acquisition unit 125 of the power supply state of the power supply device 109 in response to a request from the power supply state acquisition unit 125. Here, the power state is information indicating one of power on, power off, and standby. For example, in the standby mode, the digital broadcast receiving device 100 is powered on, but is waiting for input from a user or another device. In the standby mode, power supply to a specific part of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 is stopped, and the power saving state is established.
The power supply state acquisition unit 125 supplies the power supply state supplied from the power supply control unit 124 to the apparatus state processing unit 126.

For example, when the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 is connected to a network, the apparatus state processing unit 126 controls processing for transmitting / receiving device information via the network card 110. Further, the device state processing unit 126 controls processing for transmitting a device state acquisition request via the network card 110. Further, the device status processing unit 126 controls processing for notifying the device status of the own device when the network card 110 receives the device status acquisition request. The process controlled by the apparatus state processing unit 126 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
When the network card 110 receives device information, the type processing unit 127 performs processing for registering information included in the device information in the type detection information stored in the recording device 107. In addition, when the network card 110 receives a device information or device status acquisition request, the type processing unit 127 verifies the received device information or device status acquisition request.

Returning to FIG. 1, the power supply device 109 supplies power to each unit constituting the digital broadcast receiving device 100.
The network card 110 performs communication via a network. For example, the network is a home network. The home network includes a local area network (LAN), a closed office / home office (SOHO), and a local area network such as a corporate LAN.
The I / F 111 is an interface for connecting an external device, for example, the monitor 130.

  FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing processing when the digital broadcast receiving device 100A is newly connected to the network 131 to which the other digital broadcast receiving device 100B is connected, for example, as shown in FIG. . Note that both the digital broadcast receiving device 100A and the digital broadcast receiving device 100B shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are configured in the same manner as the digital broadcast receiving device 100 shown in FIG.

  When the digital broadcast receiving device 100A is connected to the network 131, the device status processing unit 126 of the digital broadcast receiving device 100A executes connection processing to the network 131 (S10). For example, the device status processing unit 126 of the digital broadcast receiving device 100A acquires an IP address from a device (not shown) connected to the network 131 and having a DHCP server function in accordance with DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). This IP address is a communication address uniquely determined within the local network.

  Next, the device status processing unit 126 of the digital broadcast receiving device 100A performs a process of broadcasting the device information of the own device to the network 131 using the IP address acquired in step S10 (S11). When transmitting the device information, the device status processing unit 126 may follow, for example, SSDP (Simple Service Discover Protocol) in UPnP (Universal Plug and Play). Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the device information includes a manufacturer ID, a model ID, a MAC address, and an IP address. The manufacturer ID is identification information that identifies the manufacturer of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 that is itself, the model ID is identification information that identifies the model of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 that is itself, and the MAC address is itself. It is the MAC address of a certain digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100, and the IP address is the IP address of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 that is itself.

  In the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100B that has received the device information from the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100A, the type processing unit 127 receives the device information from the network card 110 and verifies the device information (S12). For example, when the information corresponding to the manufacturer ID and model ID included in the received device information is stored in the recording device 107 in advance, the type processing unit 127 determines that the verification in step S12 is successful, When such information is not stored in the recording device 107 in advance, the verification in step S12 is regarded as failure. In this sequence, the description will be made on the assumption that the verification in step S12 has been successful. However, in the case of failure, the processing in step S12 and subsequent steps is not performed, and this sequence ends.

  Next, the type processing unit 127 of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100B registers the MAC address and IP address included in the received device information in the type detection information 140 stored in the recording apparatus 107 (S13). .

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the type detection information 140. As shown in FIG. 6, the type detection information 140 is table format information. The type detection information 140 includes a sequential number column 141, a priority column 142, a MAC address column 143, and an IP address column 144.
The sequential number column 141 stores sequential numbers assigned to devices connected to the network 131. For example, as the sequential number, the order registered in the type detection information 140 is assigned.
The priority column 142 stores priorities for specifying the order of transmitting device status acquisition requests to the devices specified in the MAC address column 143 and the IP address column 144. In step S13, an initial value (for example, “1”) is stored in the priority column 142, and this priority is updated according to the presence / absence of a response to the device status acquisition request.
The MAC address column 143 stores the MAC address of the device connected to the network 131.
The IP address column 143 stores the IP address of the device specified in the MAC address column 143.

  Returning to FIG. 3, next, the device status processing unit 126 of the digital broadcast receiving device 100B performs a process of transmitting the device information of the own device to the digital broadcast receiving device 100A (S14).

  In the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100A that has received the device information from the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100B, the type processing unit 127 receives the device information from the network card 110 and verifies the device information (S15). The process here is the same process as step S12. In this sequence, the description will be made on the assumption that the verification in step S15 has been successful. However, if it has failed, the processing in step S15 and subsequent steps is not performed, and this sequence ends.

  Next, the type processing unit 127 of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100A registers the MAC address and IP address included in the received device information in the type detection information 140 stored in the recording apparatus 107 (S16). . The process here is the same process as step S13.

  Next, the type processing unit 127 of the digital broadcast receiving device 100A acquires the device status to the device with the highest priority in the type detection information 140 (here, the digital broadcast receiving device 100B has the highest priority). A request is transmitted (S17).

  In the digital broadcast receiving device 100B that has received the device status acquisition request from the digital broadcast receiving device 100A, the type processing unit 127 verifies the received device status acquisition request (S18). For example, when the information corresponding to the IP address of the transmission source of the received device status acquisition request is registered in the type detection information 140, the verification in step S18 is successful, and such information is used as the type detection information. If it is not registered in the information 140, the verification in step S18 is regarded as failure. In this sequence, the description will be made assuming that the verification in step S18 has been successful. However, in the case of failure, the processing after step S18 is not performed, and this sequence ends.

  Next, the device state processing unit 126 of the digital broadcast receiving device 100B causes the operation setting state acquisition unit 123 to acquire the operation setting state, and causes the power supply state acquisition unit 125 to acquire the power state, and from these states, the device state processing unit 126 State information is generated (S19).

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the device status information 150. The device status information 150 includes power status information 151 indicating a power status, operating status information 152 indicating an operating status, and setting status information 153 indicating a setting status. Note that the device state information 150 illustrated in FIG. 7 is an example of device state information, and the device state information may have a configuration different from the configuration illustrated in FIG.
The power status information 151 indicates that the power assigned to the power status information 151 is “00”, the power is off, “01” is standby, and “10” is power on.
The operating state information 152 indicates the operating state of each resource by the value of the bit assigned to each resource. In the example of FIG. 7, when the value of the bit assigned to the CPU 108 is “1”, the CPU usage rate is low, and when it is “0”, the CPU usage rate is high. . Further, when the value of the bit assigned to the memory 106 is “1”, it indicates that the memory usage is small, and when it is “0”, the memory usage is large. Of the bits assigned to the decoder 104, when the value of the bit assigned to the moving picture decoder is “1”, this indicates that the processing load of the moving picture decoder is high. Indicates that the processing load on the decoder is low. Of the bits assigned to the decoder 104, when the value of the bit assigned to the still picture decoder is “1”, this indicates that the processing load of the still picture decoder is high, and when it is “0”. This indicates that the processing load of the still picture decoder is low. Of the bits assigned to the decoder 104, when the value of the bit assigned to the audio decoder is “1”, this indicates that the processing load of the audio decoder is high, and when it is “0”, the audio load is high. Indicates that the processing load on the decoder is low.
The setting state information 153 indicates the setting state of each information, for example, whether each information has already been set, by the value of the bit assigned to each information. In the example of FIG. 7, when the value of the bit assigned to the logo information is “1”, it indicates that the logo information has already been acquired, and when it is “0”, the logo information is not yet acquired. Indicates that it has not been acquired. If the value of the bit assigned to the program information is “1”, it indicates that the program information has already been acquired, and if it is “0”, it indicates that the program information has not yet been acquired. Show. When the value of the bit assigned to the user setting information is “1”, it indicates that the user setting value has been changed from the initial value by the user. This indicates that the value of the user setting has not been changed from the initial value. If the value of the bit assigned to the channel scan information is “1”, it indicates that the channel scan information has already been acquired. If it is “0”, the channel scan information has not yet been acquired. Indicates no.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the device status processing unit 126 of the digital broadcast receiving device 100B performs a process of transmitting the generated device status information 150 to the digital broadcast receiving device 100A via the network card 110 (S20).

  In the digital broadcast receiving device 100A that has received the device status information from the digital broadcast receiving device 100B, the broadcast reception control unit 122 executes processing according to the received device status information (S21). For example, the broadcast reception control unit 122 of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 101A transmits information to the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 101B by transmitting a transmission request for information that is necessary for its own setting and has not been acquired yet. Such information can be acquired from the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 101B. Further, in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 101B, when there is a user setting changed from the initial value by the user, by transmitting a transmission request for information indicating such user setting to the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 101B, Information indicating such user settings can be acquired from the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 101B, and such user settings can be reflected on itself. Further, according to the operating state of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 101B, necessary information is acquired from another apparatus (not shown) connected to the network 131, or a necessary process is requested to the other apparatus. Can be controlled.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by the digital broadcast receiving device 100 when the digital broadcast receiving device 100 receives a device status acquisition request.

  First, when the network card 110 of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 receives an apparatus status acquisition request (S30), the received apparatus status acquisition request is sent to the type processing unit 127.

  Next, the type processing unit 127 reads the type detection information 140 stored in the recording device 107 (S31), and verifies the received device status acquisition request (S32). For example, the type processing unit 127 performs verification based on whether information corresponding to the transmission source IP address of the received device status acquisition request is registered in the type detection information 140. Then, if the verification is successful (Yes in step S32), the type processing unit 127 proceeds to the process of step S33. If the verification fails (No in step S32), the request source is an unauthorized access source. It judges that it is, and complete | finishes a process.

  In step S <b> 33, the device state processing unit 126 detects the device state by causing the operation setting state acquisition unit 123 to acquire the operation setting state and causing the power state acquisition unit 125 to acquire the power state. Then, the device state processing unit 126 generates device state information 150 indicating the detected device state.

  Then, the device state processing unit 126 performs a process of transmitting the generated device state information 150 to the transmission source of the device state acquisition request received in step S30 via the network card 110, thereby transmitting the transmission source. Is notified of the apparatus status (S34).

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating processing in which the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 transmits a device status acquisition request and receives device status information.

  First, the device status processing unit 126 generates a device status acquisition request including the IP address of the digital broadcast receiving device 100 that is itself (S40).

  Next, the device status processing unit 126 receives the IP address of the row with the highest priority stored in the priority column 142 in the type detection information 140 recorded in the recording device 107 from the type processing unit 127. . Then, the device state processing unit 126 performs a process of transmitting the device state acquisition request generated in step S40 with the received IP address as the destination via the network card 110 (S41).

  Next, the device state processing unit 126 determines whether or not the network card 110 has received the device state information (S42). If the device state processing unit 126 receives the device state information (Yes in Step S42), the device state processing unit 126 proceeds to the process of Step S43. If the device state information is not received (No in Step S42), The process proceeds to step S44.

  In step S43, the device status processing unit 126 instructs the type processing unit 127 to increase the priority of the device that has transmitted the device status information so that the device status acquisition request can be transmitted with priority from the next time. Instruct. Upon receiving such an instruction, the type processing unit 127 stores the IP address of the device that has transmitted the device state information in step S42 in the IP address column 114 in the type detection information 140 recorded in the recording device 107. The priority value stored in the priority column 142 of the current row is updated so that the order indicated by this priority is advanced. For example, the type processing unit 127 adds a predetermined value (for example, “1”) to the priority value.

  On the other hand, in step S44, the device state processing unit 126 determines whether or not a predetermined timeout time has elapsed (timeout) after transmitting the device state acquisition request. If the predetermined timeout time has elapsed (Yes in step S44), the apparatus state processing unit 126 increments the number of timeouts and proceeds to the process of step S45. If the predetermined time has not elapsed ( In step S44 No), the process returns to step S42.

  In step S45, the apparatus state processing unit 126 determines whether or not the number of times that a predetermined timeout period has elapsed at the same destination is less than a predetermined number. If the number of times that the predetermined timeout period has passed is equal to or greater than the number of times specified in advance (No in step S45), the apparatus state processing unit 126 sets the number of times to an initial value (eg, “0”). Returning to the process of step S46, if the number of times that the predetermined timeout period has elapsed is less than the predetermined number (Yes in step S45), the process returns to the process of step S41, and the device is sent to the same destination. Send the status acquisition request again.

  In step S46, the device status processing unit 126 instructs the type processing unit 127 to determine whether there is a device that can transmit a device status acquisition request next (S46). For example, if the information of another device that has not yet transmitted the device status acquisition request is stored in the type detection information 140, the type processing unit 127 has a device that can transmit the device status acquisition request next. Judge that it exists. Then, if such a device exists (Yes in Step S46), the device state processing unit 126 proceeds to the process of Step S47, and if such a device does not exist (No in Step S46), The process proceeds to step S48.

  In step S47, the device status processing unit 126 causes the type processing unit 127 to select a device to which a device status acquisition request is next transmitted, returns to the processing in step S41, and sets the selected device as a destination as a device status acquisition request. Execute the process to send. For example, the type processing unit 127 selects a device having the highest priority among devices that have not received a device status acquisition request. At this time, the device status processing unit 126 instructs the type processing unit 127 to lower the priority of the device that has not transmitted the device status information. Upon receiving such an instruction, the type processing unit 127 stores, in the IP address column 114, the IP address of the device that has not transmitted the device status information in the type detection information 140 recorded in the recording device 107. The priority value stored in the row priority column 142 is updated so that the order indicated by the priority is delayed. For example, the type processing unit 127 subtracts a predetermined value (for example, “1”) from the priority value.

  In step S48, the device state processing unit 126 instructs the screen control unit 121 to display on the monitor 130 that the processing is not completed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the device status processing unit 126 receives instructions from the user via the input unit or the network card 110 (not shown) in addition to when the digital broadcast receiving device 100 is newly connected to the network 131. 9 is transmitted, the apparatus status acquisition request shown in FIG. 9 is transmitted, and the process of receiving the apparatus status information is started.

  Next, processing in the digital broadcast receiving device 100 when receiving device status information will be described. The digital broadcast receiving device 100 is connected to the network 131 and receives device state information from another device already operating, so that the digital broadcast receiving device 100 is necessary information for itself, It is possible to acquire information held by another device that is already operating. For example, there is setting information as information held by another apparatus, and the broadcast reception control unit 122 of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 can acquire such setting information and reflect it in its own settings. It becomes.

  One example of such setting information is channel scan information necessary at the time of initial setting. The digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 acquires channel scan information of terrestrial digital broadcast by performing channel scan at the time of installation or the like, but the acquired channel scan information is rarely changed, and digital broadcast reception is performed. The apparatus 100 selects a channel based on the stored channel scan information. Therefore, when there is another device that already holds the channel scan information in the network 131, the digital broadcast receiving device 100 needs to execute the channel scan by acquiring the channel scan information from the other device. And time is unnecessary.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the device status information 150 indicates whether or not channel scan information has been acquired. Therefore, the broadcast reception control unit 122 of the digital broadcast receiving device 100 has already acquired the channel scan information. By performing processing for transmitting a channel scan information acquisition request to a device, the channel scan information of the device can be acquired. 10 to 12 are schematic diagrams illustrating examples of channel scan information that can be acquired in this manner.

  As one example of such setting information, for example, there is user setting information set by the user after the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 is installed. The user setting information includes, for example, the installation location, volume, brightness, subtitle setting, audio multiplexing setting, recording mode setting when the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 has a recording function, and network access restriction settings. In addition, information indicating an access point when connected to the Internet is included. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of user setting information.

  As shown in the user setting information of FIG. 13, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 has many setting values. When the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 is shipped from the factory, these setting values are usually set to initial values. Yes. These setting values can usually be changed by the user. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the apparatus status information 150 indicates whether or not the user setting has been changed from the initial value, so that the broadcast reception control unit 122 of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 can set the user setting. By performing a process of transmitting a user setting information acquisition request to a device whose information setting value has already been changed by the user, the user setting information of the device can be acquired. Thus, since the digital transmission / reception apparatus 100 can acquire user setting information from another apparatus, the user of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 does not need to perform fine setting again.

  Further, as one example of such setting information, there is logo information of a broadcasting station, for example. In the case of terrestrial digital broadcasting, the logo information of a broadcasting station is information acquired from a broadcast signal and stored. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the apparatus status information 150 indicates whether or not logo information has been acquired. Therefore, the broadcast reception control unit 122 of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 has already acquired the logo information. By performing a process of transmitting a logo information acquisition request to a device, the logo information of the device can be acquired. As described above, since the logo information can be obtained from another device, the digital broadcast receiving device 100 can display the logo without performing reception for a certain period necessary for obtaining the logo information from the broadcast signal. It becomes possible.

  Furthermore, one example of such setting information is program information. In terrestrial digital broadcasting, program information called EIT (Event Information Table) is also transmitted together with broadcast waves. In order to acquire program information, it is necessary to receive broadcast waves for a certain period of time. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the device status information 150 indicates whether or not the program information has been acquired. Therefore, the device status processing unit 126 of the digital broadcast receiving device 100 has already acquired the program information. By performing a process of transmitting a program information acquisition request to a device, the program information of the device can be acquired. For this reason, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 can display program information without acquiring a certain time for receiving broadcast waves in order to acquire program information by acquiring program information from another apparatus. .

  However, the program information changes with time, and the program is suddenly changed, for example, by changing the time by extending the live broadcast of the sports program. For this reason, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 needs to always acquire the latest program information. The digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 can display the program guide immediately by using the program information acquired from other apparatuses, but the program information needs to be updated. Therefore, when the setting information is updated is important data in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 that acquired such information. Therefore, the broadcast reception control unit 122 of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 stores in the recording device 107 update information that lists the update date and time of information included in the setting information.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the update information 160. The update information 160 is information in a table format, and includes a setting information column 161, an acquisition date / time column 162, and an update date / time column 163.
The setting information column 161 stores identification information for identifying each piece of information included in the setting information. For example, as the identification information for identifying each information included in the setting information, the information name of each information is used.
The acquisition date / time column 162 stores information indicating the year, month, day, and time when the information identified in the setting information column 161 is acquired.
The update date / time column 163 stores information indicating the year, month, day, and time when the information identified in the setting information column 161 was last updated.

  When the transmitting-side digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 that transmits the setting information receives an acquisition request for information included in the setting information, the transmitting-side broadcast reception control unit 122 receives the setting information. By performing the process of transmitting the update information to the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100, the reception-side broadcast reception control unit 122 can select information that needs to be acquired based on the received update information. Then, the broadcast reception control unit 122 on the reception side transmits the acquisition request for the information selected as the information that needs to be acquired to the digital broadcast reception apparatus 100 on the transmission side again. The broadcast reception control unit 122 on the transmission side that has received the acquisition request again performs a process of transmitting the requested information. With the configuration described above, the receiving-side digital broadcast receiving device 100 can acquire only necessary information based on the update information 160.

  When a plurality of digital broadcast receiving apparatuses 100 are connected to the network 131, the apparatus status processing unit 126 acquires update information 160 from the plurality of digital broadcast receiving apparatuses 100, so that necessary information is updated last. Necessary information can also be acquired from the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 that has been provided.

  Note that the broadcast reception control unit 122 of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 performs the process of transmitting a channel scan information, user setting information, logo information, or program information acquisition request, and the power source included in the apparatus status information 150 When the status information 151 is confirmed and the power is turned off or in standby, the device status acquisition request may be transmitted to another device to acquire the information. Also, the broadcast reception control unit 122 of the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 operates the operation state information when the operation state information 152 indicates that the usage rate of the CPU 108 is high although the power supply state information 151 indicates that the power is on. When 152 indicates that there is a problem in the execution of the process, the device status acquisition request may be transmitted to another device to acquire the device status information.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 200 according to Embodiment 2 is configured in the same manner as the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 100 according to Embodiment 1. However, in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to the first embodiment is processed in the control unit realized by the CPU 108 executing the software stored in the recording apparatus 107. Different from the device 100.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 220 according to the second embodiment includes a screen control unit 121, a broadcast reception control unit 222, an operation setting state acquisition unit 123, a power control unit 124, and a power state acquisition unit 125. A device status processing unit 226 and a type processing unit 127. The control unit 220 in the second embodiment is different from the control unit 120 in the first embodiment in the broadcast reception control unit 222 and the device state processing unit 226. The operation setting state acquisition unit 123, the power supply state acquisition unit 125, and the device state processing unit 226 constitute a device state acquisition processing unit 228.

The broadcast reception control unit 222 according to the second embodiment executes the same processing as that of the first embodiment and acquires image data received by the network card 110. Acquisition of image data may be performed according to a protocol such as HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) and FTP (File Transfer Protocol). As shown in FIG. 15, for example, the digital broadcast receiving device 100 </ b> A may acquire image data from another digital broadcast receiving device 100 </ b> B connected to the network 131 or connected to the network 131. You may acquire from the camera apparatus 170. FIG.
Then, the broadcast reception control unit 222 causes the decoder 104 to decode the acquired image data, and detects a difference from the reference image data, for example, the image data acquired up to the previous time. When a difference is detected, the broadcast reception control unit 222 instructs the screen control unit 121 to display the decoded image on the monitor 130.

  In addition, the broadcast reception control unit 222 refers to the device state information 150 and can display the acquired image data, for example, a power-on state, and a still image decoding function and a screen monitor display function. A process for transmitting image data of an image in which a difference is detected and a display request for the image is executed to a device in which is effective. Here, the broadcast reception control unit 222 can use SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) defined by UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) for transmission of a display request, and can also be used for remote communication between other networks. You can also use procedure calls. In addition, by adding the model ID to the type detection information 140 and storing it, the broadcast reception control unit 222 can make the display request transmission destination only the device of the specific model ID.

  Furthermore, when the network card 110 receives a request for displaying image data and an image from another device connected to the network 131, the broadcast reception control unit 222 instructs the screen control unit 121 to receive the request. The image of the image data thus displayed is displayed.

  Furthermore, the broadcast reception control unit 222 refers to the device state information 150 and can store the acquired image data, for example, a device that is in a power-on state and has an effective image storage function. On the other hand, a process of transmitting image data of an image in which a difference is detected and a storage request for the image is executed.

  Furthermore, when the network card 110 receives a request to save image data and an image from another device connected to the network 131, the broadcast reception control unit 222 receives the received image in the memory 106 or the recording device 107. Save the data.

  The broadcast reception control unit 222, when the network card 110 receives a display request or a storage request from another device connected to the network 131, executes a process corresponding to the display request or the storage request, The processing result is notified to the other device.

  The apparatus state processing unit 226 according to the second embodiment performs the same processing as that of the first embodiment, and also when the broadcast reception control unit 222 detects a difference, the type detection information recorded in the recording apparatus 107. A device status acquisition request is transmitted to the device registered in 140 to execute processing for acquiring the device status information 150. Here, it is desirable to transmit a device status acquisition request to all devices registered in the type detection information 140.

In the first and second embodiments described above, the type detection information 140 shown in FIG. 6 is recorded in the recording device 107. Instead of the type detection information 140 shown in FIG. The type detection information 240 shown may be recorded.
FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the type detection information 240. The type detection information 240 has a sequential number column 241, a MAC address column 242, and an IP address column 243, and is different from the type detection information 140 shown in FIG. 6 in that no priority column is provided. . When the type detection information 240 shown in FIG. 16 is used, the order in which the device status acquisition requests are transmitted may be the order of sequential numbers.

  100, 200: Digital broadcast receiver 101: Tuner 102: Demodulator 103: Demultiplexer 104: Decoder 105: Encoder 106: Memory 107: Recording device 108: CPU 109: Power supply device 110 : Network card, 111: I / F, 112: Bus, 113: Digital broadcast reception execution unit, 120, 220: Control unit, 121: Screen control unit, 122, 222: Broadcast reception control unit, 123: Acquisition of operation setting status , 124: power supply control unit, 125: power state acquisition unit, 126, 226: device state processing unit, 127: type processing unit, 128, 228: device state acquisition processing unit, 130: monitor.

Claims (15)

A digital broadcast reception execution unit for executing a process of receiving a digital broadcast;
An operation setting that controls the digital broadcast reception execution unit and includes an operation state indicating a state in which the digital broadcast reception execution unit is operating, and a setting state indicating a state of information required in the digital broadcast reception execution unit A broadcast reception control unit for managing the state;
A power supply;
A power control unit that controls the power supply device and manages a power supply state indicating a state of power supplied by the power supply device;
A communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from the network;
When the communication unit receives a request from another device connected to the network, the communication unit generates device state information indicating the operation setting state and the power state, and the device state via the communication unit A digital broadcast receiving apparatus comprising: a device state acquisition processing unit that performs a process of sending information to the other device. The digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power state indicates an on state, an off state, or a standby state. The digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting state includes whether or not the digital broadcast reception execution unit has acquired channel scan information. The digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the setting state includes whether or not the digital broadcast reception execution unit has a user setting changed by a user. 5. The digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting state includes whether or not the digital broadcast reception execution unit has already acquired program information. The digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the setting state includes whether or not the digital broadcast reception execution unit has acquired logo information. The device status acquisition processing unit acquires device status information generated in the other device from another device connected to the network. The digital broadcast receiver as described. The broadcast reception control unit acquires setting information necessary for controlling the digital broadcast reception execution unit based on the device status information acquired by the device status acquisition processing unit. The digital broadcast receiver described in 1. The digital broadcast reception execution unit includes a storage unit,
The digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the broadcast reception control unit stores update information indicating an update state of the acquired setting information in the storage unit. The digital broadcast reception execution unit includes a storage unit,
In the storage unit, type detection information including address information of other devices connected to the network and a priority for specifying an order of transmitting device status acquisition requests to the other devices. Remembered,
The device status acquisition processing unit specifies another device that transmits the device status acquisition request according to the order specified by the priority, and sends the device status acquisition request to the specified other device. The digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the apparatus status information generated in the specified other apparatus is acquired by sending. The apparatus status acquisition processing unit
If the device status information generated in the other device can be acquired from the other device that has transmitted the device status acquisition request, increase the priority of the other device,
When the device status information generated in the other device cannot be received from another device that has transmitted the device status acquisition request, the priority of the other device is lowered. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 10. When the communication unit receives image data from the network, the broadcast reception control unit detects a difference between the received image data and reference image data,
When the broadcast reception control unit detects a difference between the received image data and the reference image data, the device status acquisition unit receives the other statuses from other devices connected to the network. Device status information generated in the device of
The broadcast reception control unit refers to the acquired device state information, and with respect to another device capable of displaying an image corresponding to the received image data, the communication unit via the communication unit, The digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein a process of sending received image data and a display request for the received image data is performed. When the communication unit receives image data from the network, the broadcast reception control unit detects a difference between the received image data and reference image data,
When the broadcast reception control unit detects a difference between the received image data and the reference image data, the device status acquisition unit receives the other statuses from other devices connected to the network. Get device status information generated in the device,
The broadcast reception control unit refers to the acquired device state information and transmits the received image to the other device capable of storing the received image data via the communication unit. The digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein a process of sending a request to save data and the received image data is performed. A digital broadcast reception execution unit for executing a process of receiving a digital broadcast;
An operation setting that controls the digital broadcast reception execution unit and includes an operation state indicating a state in which the digital broadcast reception execution unit is operating, and a setting state indicating a state of information required in the digital broadcast reception execution unit A broadcast reception control unit for managing the state;
A power supply;
A power control unit that controls the power supply device and manages a power supply state indicating a state of power supplied by the power supply device;
A communication unit that transmits and receives information to and from the network;
An information processing method performed by a plurality of digital broadcast receivers connected to the network,
The device status acquisition processing unit of one of the plurality of digital broadcast receiving devices receives the other of the plurality of digital broadcast receiving devices via the communication unit of the one digital broadcast receiving device. Sending a device status acquisition request to the digital broadcast receiver;
The device status acquisition processing unit of the other digital broadcast receiving device acquires the device status acquisition request via the communication unit of the other digital broadcast receiving device;
The device status acquisition processing unit of the other digital broadcast receiving device generates device status information indicating the operation setting status and the power status, and
A process in which the device status acquisition processing unit of the other digital broadcast receiving device sends the device status information to the one digital broadcast receiving device via the communication unit of the other digital broadcast receiving device;
An information processing method comprising: a device status acquisition processing unit of the first digital broadcast receiving device acquiring the device status information via a communication unit of the first digital broadcast receiving device. The broadcast reception control unit of the first digital broadcast receiving device executes the digital broadcast reception of the first digital broadcast reception device based on the device status information acquired by the device status acquisition processing unit of the first digital broadcast reception device. The information processing method according to claim 14, further comprising a step of acquiring setting information necessary for controlling the unit.

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