JP3209421B2 - Transmission device and digital data transmission method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for transmitting digital data such as character multiplexed data to be multiplexed with main broadcast information and transmitted.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, image information composed of characters and figures is multiplexed into a television signal in the form of a digital signal and transmitted, and this signal is decoded on the receiving side and displayed on a television receiver. Multiplex broadcasting is known.

On the transmitting side, a text broadcast screen is produced by combining a character or graphic screen with an additional sound as necessary. Each teletext screen is encoded, and data specifying a program number, a page number, a display mode, and the like is added.

Further, a synchronization signal, an error correction code, and the like are added to form a character signal, which is transmitted while being superimposed on the 14H (H is a horizontal section) to 16H and the 21H in the vertical blanking period of the television signal. Is done.

On the receiving side, a character signal is separated from the demodulated video signal, and after error correction processing, the character broadcast data is decoded. In accordance with this data, pattern data and graphic data read from a character generator such as a ROM are written to a display memory, converted into video signals, and displayed on a picture tube.

The image information can be printed as a hard copy by a printer. Further, the electronic sound is reproduced from the speaker according to the additional sound data.

In teletext broadcasting, a data line of layer 2 superimposed in one horizontal scanning period is divided into a 24-bit synchronization section and a data packet of 272 bits (layer 3).

[0008] As shown in FIG. 6, the program data of the hierarchy 5 is composed of program management data and each page data.
The program data header includes a number for identifying the program,
There is a number for identifying a group of programs.

[0009]

By the way, conventionally, in a commercial television broadcast (terrestrial wave) or a broadcast by a communication satellite (CS), as shown in FIG. 7, when a commercial message (CM) is broadcast, Since it is performed with normal video and audio, the entire service area SA of the broadcasting station (at least the prefectural area or the whole country) is naturally the CM broadcast target area ZCM.

In recent years, a multi-channel CATV system, which has been rapidly increasing, retransmits VHF and UHF terrestrial television broadcast programs through a transmission medium such as a coaxial cable. Although independent programs are transmitted by CS distribution and distributed to a large number of subscribers, CMs are broadcast on a prefectural or nationwide scale in the same manner as ordinary television broadcasting.

[0011] For this reason, the advertisement fee of the conventional television broadcasting is inevitably high. There was a problem that the target burden was too large to be used.

In the conventional television broadcasting, for example, area-related information such as weather information, road information, etc.
It was broadcast sequentially on a nationwide or regional scale, and could not provide more detailed information that varies by region.

In view of the above points, the present invention provides a transmitting apparatus which limits a region to provide local information such as a community-based CM which is significant only in a relatively small specific region. It is intended to provide a transmission method.

[0014]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a transmitting apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention transmits area-limited information using a zip code or a telephone number in order to limit an area where digital data is provided. Means for adding to the digital data, and specifying from the most significant digit of the postal code or the telephone number to be the area-limited information to be added, and providing the area of the digital data to be transmitted. Means for designating; means for transmitting the digital data to which the area limitation information comprising the most significant digit of the postal code or the telephone number to the designated digit is added; and the reception of the digital data. Side memory
Means for transmitting a signal indicative of uptake into parts, the
Output of the digital data captured in the storage unit on the receiving side
Means for transmitting a signal indicating the force start timing .

[0015] Also, the transmission method according to the invention of claim 4 is as follows.
Adding regional limitation information using a zip code or a telephone number to the digital data in order to limit an area to which the digital data is provided; and from the most significant digit to the most significant digit of the zip code or the telephone number. A step of specifying a provision area of the digital data to be transmitted by specifying whether to be the area limitation information to be added, and from the highest digit of the postal code or the telephone number to the specified digit. a step of the regional information becomes to transmit additional said digital data, prior to said digital data
Send a signal to instruct the receiving side
And receiving the digital data stored in the storage unit on the receiving side.
Transmits a signal to instruct the start timing of the total data
And a step of performing

According to the present invention having the above-described configuration, by transmitting digital data with the addition of area limitation information using existing area information, it is possible to perform transmission in a limited area where digital data is provided.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [Limiting Broadcast Area] First, referring to FIG. 2, a description will be given of limiting a broadcasting area in an embodiment of a transmitting apparatus according to the present invention.

In this embodiment, a regional code corresponding to a broadcast target area is added to regional information such as a community-based CM as regional limited information, and the format of the above-described text multiplex broadcast image information is changed. Broadcast on

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, in a service area SA of one broadcasting station, areas Za and Z are respectively provided.
Information of A, B, and C is broadcast only for b and Zc. Further, the information of D is broadcasted on the area Zd including the areas Zb and Zc.

Each piece of information includes, in order to limit the broadcasting area,
For example, an area code of a target area such as information area area code A Za 12345 B Zb 23456 C Zc 24567 D Zd (= Zb + Zc) 2XXXX is assigned as a part of the program management data as shown in FIG. Is done.

As described above, the region code is designated from the highest digit to the highest digit, or a plurality of region codes are designated by "&" (and, ie, logical product) or "OR" (OR, OR).
That is, by combining with a code such as OR
The broadcast range can be controlled appropriately.

As the above-mentioned area code, the target area is clearly and hierarchically limited, the information can be managed collectively, and the update is strictly performed. Code (Zip Code)
It is desirable to use the postal code of each country as a reference. The area can be limited by the area code of the telephone and the area code. However, the postal code has the advantage that the limited area can be made smaller.

As described above, the area can be limited by using a part of the telephone number instead of all digits of the telephone number. In addition, as described later, even in the case of a postal code, broadcasting in a limited area can be performed by using a partial number instead of all digits.

[Broadcast of regional limited CM] On the broadcast station side, C
For example, several tens of seconds before the timing of broadcasting M, a preparation signal (signal) for text multiplex CM broadcasting is broadcast as text multiplex data several tens of seconds before, and subsequently, the above-described area code is added. A plurality of character-multiplexed CM data is repeatedly inserted (multiplexed) into a plurality of frames and broadcast.

Next, at the timing of broadcasting the CM, the CM
A display start signal (cue) is broadcast as character multiplexed data. The start signal is provided with an identification number corresponding to the preparation signal.

Then, when the broadcast time of the CM ends, the CM
The display end signal (signal) is broadcast as character multiplexed data. The end signal is also provided with an identification number corresponding to the preparation signal.

When the CM is continuously broadcast, the process from the transmission of the preparation signal to the transmission of the start signal is repeated a plurality of times, and one of the broadcasts is displayed on the receiver side. Will be.

In consideration of the possibility of a signal being missed on the receiver side, each signal is broadcasted a plurality of times. In particular, the end signal is broadcast for a while.

[Configuration of Receiving Apparatus] Next, an example of a receiving apparatus for a multiplex broadcast transmitted by the transmitting method according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 3 to 5.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a receiving apparatus for teletext broadcasting, on which a tuner 11 is mounted, and a video signal Sv11 and an audio signal Sa11 from the tuner 11 are supplied to a video signal processing circuit 12 and an audio signal processing circuit, respectively. Through 13, it is supplied to the receiver 1 connected as an external device.

When the receiving apparatus 10 is, for example, a receiving terminal (also called a cable box or a home terminal) provided in accordance with a contract with a CATV system, pay broadcast programs such as so-called pay television and pay-per-view are scrambled. The tuner 11 includes a descrambler because it is hung. The receiving device 10
However, the same applies to a satellite pay-broadcast decoder.

14 is a character multiplexed data extraction circuit,
The video signal Sv11 is supplied from the tuner 11, and the character multiplex data D14 as described above is extracted. Then, the data D14 is supplied to the CPU 21 of the character signal decoder 20.

The character signal decoder 20 includes, in addition to the CPU 21, a ROM 22, a DRAM 23, an SRAM 24, a VR
And a CRT output port 27 and an additional sound generation circuit 2.
8 are connected to the VRAM 25 and the bus 26, respectively.

CRT output port 27, additional sound generation circuit 2
The output of 8 is supplied to the video signal processing circuit 12 and the audio signal processing circuit 13, respectively. Further, a remote control receiver 31 is connected to the bus 26, and control data by operation of a remote control transmitter (commander) 32 is input to the CPU 21 through the receiver 31. Note that, as indicated by broken lines in FIG. 1, each unit of the receiving device 10 is controlled by the CPU 21.

The ROM 22 stores a control program for each unit, and also stores font and graphic data used for display. The DRAM 23 is mainly used as a work area, and the SRAM 24 stores an area code or the like as user area information. And V
The RAM 25 is used for display.

[Registration of User Area Information] Next, the registration of the area code as the registration of the user area information in the receiving apparatus of the example of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

In the registration of the area code, as shown in FIG.
Is activated (step S)
1) Using the same program on the ROM 22, the same ROM
Combining font and graphic data on 22
As shown in FIG. 4, an input screen image including the guidance for inputting the area code is generated on the VRAM 25, and this image is merged with the video signal via the CRT output port 27 and converted into a signal to be displayed on the display as an overlay. Then, it is displayed on the receiver 1 (step S2).

The area code registration processing may be automatically started at the time of initial setting after installation of the cable box.

The set area code stored in the SRAM 24 is displayed by transferring the font data to the VRAM 25 and merging it with the video signal through the CRT output port 27 in the same manner as described above. Is performed (step S3). Note that lower-order digits not set by the set area code are displayed in a font such as “*”.

Then, according to the guidance displayed on the receiver 1 in step S2, the numeric keys of the commander 32,
For example, an area code is input by operating a function key such as a channel key (step S4).
The entered number is displayed in the same manner as in step S3.

The input processing in step S4 is performed, for example, by using a CH11 key (channel number No. 11) as a stop key.
Key, the same applies hereinafter) until one of the CH10 keys as a decision key is pressed (steps S5 and S5).
6). The CH12 key is used as the clear key.

When the enter key is pressed, the input area code is converted into a BCD code and stored in the SRAM 24, and the input screen display is terminated (steps S7 and S7).
8). When the cancel key is pressed, the input screen display is terminated without saving the input area code.

As described above, in the receiving apparatus of this example, the user can easily set the area code of the installation location of the receiving apparatus in accordance with the guidance displayed on the receiver 1, so that the user can move home. , Or when the area code of the installation location is changed, it is possible to reliably cope with the situation.

[Reception of Regional Limited CM] Next, referring to FIG. 5, the regional limited CM in the receiving apparatus of the example of FIG. 1 will be described.
The reception will be described.

As described above, in the receiving apparatus 10 in which the area code is registered, the character multiplexed data extracting circuit 14 always functions, and the CPU 21 monitors the character multiplexed data of the selected channel.

Then, in the reception of the regional limited CM, as shown in FIG. 5, a preparation signal to be broadcasted prior to the CM data is waited for (step S11). The CM data is taken into the DRAM 23 (step S12).

In the next step S13, it is determined whether or not the received CM data corresponds to the preparation signal, and whether or not the area code of the CM data matches the area code stored in the SRAM 24. If they do not match, steps S12 and S13 are repeated, and although not shown, processing such as timeout is performed an appropriate number of times to avoid an infinite loop.

When the area code of the CM data matches the set area code, the display image and the additional sound data from the character multiplexed data can be displayed as a character string, a still image, an animation, or the like, and can be output as an additional sound. And prepared on the DRAM 23 (step S1).
4) Wait for a display start signal assigned the same identification number as the preparation signal (step S15).

Although illustration is omitted, a timeout process for avoiding an infinite loop and a termination process in the case where the display start signal is missed are necessary also in this case.

When a display start signal having the same identification number as the preparation signal is received, the data prepared on the DRAM 23 in step S14 is used in the same manner as in the text multiplex broadcasting.
A CM image such as an animation is displayed on almost the entire area or a part of the screen of the receiver 1 in a mode usually using a raster as a background, and additional sound is output (step S16).

When the CM is continuously broadcast, the above-mentioned preparation signal and start signal are repeatedly broadcast in this order, so that the receiving side continuously performs the processing of steps S11 to S16. Will be.

When a display end signal having the same identification number as the preparation signal is received (step S17), the display of the CM by character multiplexing is erased, and the display returns to a normal broadcast image (step S18).

If the end signal is not received in step S17, the process returns to the first step S11, and returns to step S11.
If the end signal is not received within a predetermined time from the start of the display of No. 16, the CM display is forcibly ended. The same applies when the channel is switched.

Note that steps S11 and S1 as described above are performed.
Teletext broadcasting can be watched even during the processing of step 2. However, there is a slight delay in taking in data because the CM data is being broadcast.

As the CM data, data obtained by compressing moving picture information can be multiplexed.

As described above, in this embodiment, the broadcasting station adds a hierarchical area code to a CM and broadcasts it in a text multiplex broadcast format. On the receiving side, a specific area corresponding to the receiving area is provided. The code is set as an ID, and only the received CMs assigned with the same area code as the ID are output. Therefore, the receiving area of the CM is limited, and a plurality of CMs having different target areas are output. Can be broadcast simultaneously.

[0057] Therefore, the advertising fee can be reduced compared to the conventional television broadcasting. Limited advertisements can be easily used.

The conditions for matching the ID on the receiving side with the area code given to the CM on the broadcasting station are the same from the most significant digit up to the digit designated by "X" on the station side. If it is determined that all the digits are the same, it is determined that they match. The same applies to a plurality of area codes connected by “&” or the like.

The cable box ID assigned to the cable box of the CATV system is for receiving a descrambling signal, and is usually numbered in the contract order.
Even if it is possible to know the area where the subscriber lives, it is practically impossible to use it for the purpose of limiting the area. However, if a correspondence conversion table between the cable box ID and the installation location of the cable box is created, that is, the area where the cable box is installed is always registered corresponding to the box ID, and the conversion table is created. In this case, the area can be limited by the box ID through the conversion table.

[Other Embodiments] In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which a region-limited CM is broadcast in a text multiplex broadcast format. And information broadcast on a local scale, for example, by limiting the area to neighboring prefectures,
It can provide more detailed information that varies from region to region.

It should be noted that, among such area-related information, information that should be dealt with urgently is desirably displayed in a super fixed mode with television broadcast video as a background.

As described above, the present invention has been described for the case where the area-related information is broadcast in the text multiplex broadcast format. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and is not limited to the data broadcast and the digital broadcast. Also in this case, the same effect can be expected by adding the area limitation code to the broadcast data.

For example, in satellite television broadcasting, PC
The M-voice signal is transmitted in the A mode or the B mode, and utilizes bits not used for the transmission of the voice signal.
Various data can be transmitted by a so-called data channel.

In this data channel, data is transmitted in packet format, and since the service can be identified in the header portion of each packet, various data can be transmitted at the same time. By assigning an area code to the area, for example, the target area can be limited to each prefecture area, and newspaper data of each prefecture version can be downloaded.

[0065]

As described above, according to the present invention, by transmitting the digital data with the addition of the area limitation information using the existing area information, the area where the digital data is provided is limited. be able to. Therefore, necessary information can be provided for each area.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an example of a receiving device of digital data transmitted by an embodiment of a transmission method according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an operation when broadcasting is performed according to an embodiment of a transmission method according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an area code registration process in the receiving device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the transmission method according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the receiving device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Receiving apparatus 14 Character multiplex data extraction circuit 20 Character multiplex decoder 21 CPU 22 ROM 24 SRAM

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-50-2408 (JP, A) JP-A-59-226530 (JP, A) JP-A-4-21252 (JP, A) JP-A-4-214 120583 (JP, A) JP-A-5-122756 (JP, A) JP-A-5-206784 (JP, A) JP-A-5-196473 (JP, A) JP-A-60-214127 (JP, A) JP-A-1-302978 (JP, A) JP-A-59-121437 (JP, A) JP-A-56-19135 (JP, A) JP-A-1-31128 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N ^7/ 025-7/10 H04N ⁷ /16-7/173 H04H 1/00 H04N 5/38-5/46

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A means for adding area limitation information using a zip code or a telephone number to the digital data to limit an area to which the digital data is provided; Means for designating from which digit to which digit is to be the area-limited information to be added, and an area for providing the digital data to be transmitted; and the designation from the most significant digit of the postal code or the telephone number. Means for transmitting the digital data to which the area limitation information having up to the specified digit is added , and capturing the digital data into the storage unit on the receiving side
Means for transmitting a signal for instructing preparation, and the digital data captured in the storage unit on the receiving side
For transmitting a signal indicating the output start timing
And a transmitting device. 2. The transmitting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the digital data is information unique to an area specified by the area limitation information. 3. The transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the digital data is data for an advertisement. 4. A step of adding area limitation information using a zip code or a telephone number to the digital data in order to limit an area to which the digital data is provided; A step of designating from which digit to which digit is to be the area-limited information to be added, and specifying a provision area of the digital data to be transmitted; and specifying the designation from the highest digit of the postal code or the telephone number. Transmitting the digital data to which the area limitation information including up to the specified digit is added , and capturing the digital data into the storage unit on the receiving side
Transmitting a signal indicating preparation, and the digital data captured in the storage unit on the reception side
Transmitting a signal indicating the output start timing
And a digital data transmission method comprising: 5. The digital data transmission method according to claim 4, wherein said digital data is information specific to an area specified by said area limitation information. 6. The digital data transmission method according to claim 4, wherein the digital data is data for an advertisement.