JP3643532B2 - Digital broadcast receiving apparatus and interactive broadcast control method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital broadcast receiving apparatus and a bidirectional broadcast control method capable of performing public network access via wireless such as Bluetooth.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The start of digital broadcasting has received a lot of attention. Digital broadcasting has various features such as HDTV broadcasting, multi-channel, and no quality degradation such as recording, but data broadcasting and interactive broadcasting are particularly attracting attention.
[0003]
In interactive broadcasting, a digital broadcast server prepared on a telephone network or the Internet is connected to a digital television (TV), and communication is performed based on data sent to the digital TV via the digital broadcast. By doing so, it is possible to realize “communication” of broadcasting from the user to the station rather than one-way from the broadcasting station to the TV, and various applications such as e-commerce, answering quiz programs, questionnaires, etc. are being studied. Application.
[0004]
On the other hand, the PC Internet is attracting a great deal of attention, but because of the simplicity of its operability, the spread of its user base is not the ratio of PCs, and this is the reason why interactive broadcasting is attracting attention. .
[0005]
In order to realize interactive broadcasting, digital TVs are required to be equipped with a telephone connection function. However, wiring a telephone line to a digital TV is actually a troublesome work for many households. Normally, the telephone line mouth is not always close to the place where the digital TV will be placed, and if the telephone line mouth and the digital TV are wired using a telephone line or the like, the room It is well known that there are many problems such as detracting from the aesthetics of a child or a child or the like getting caught in a telephone line cable.
[0006]
“Telephone line connection / Internet connection using radio” solves the problem of the telephone line cable. For example, Bluetooth has a profile for dial-up and Internet access (LAN access) via a mobile phone or dial-up modem equipped with this, and it can be used to connect to a server without telephone line wiring. It is possible to realize.
[0007]
However, a new problem here is that a wireless device such as Bluetooth may take several tens of seconds for inquiry (inquiry processing) for finding a communication partner. Inquiry is a process for detecting a Bluetooth device (node) of a Bluetooth device existing within a communicable range.
[0008]
In other words, when a general user activates two-way broadcasting (communication with a server), it expects that he / she will be immediately connected to the server (the program will continue to flow in the meantime) ). However, when a user tries to use a service using interactive broadcasting, “user operation (pressing interactive broadcast service use button, etc.)”, “selection of Bluetooth device (public network access device)”, The procedures of “establishing a connection with a Bluetooth device (public network access device)”, “establishing a connection with a server on the public network”, and “starting a bidirectional broadcast service” are taken. Among them, Bluetooth Inquiry is a time-consuming process, which leads to a significant increase in the waiting time of the user.
[0009]
Therefore, it is a big problem that “Inquiry processing for finding a wireless device such as Bluetooth or a communication partner takes a long time”.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, a digital broadcast receiving apparatus that performs public network connection for conventional bidirectional broadcasting uses a wireless device (such as Bluetooth) when a wireless LAN such as Bluetooth is used to connect to the public network connection ( There has been a problem that it takes a long time for inquiry processing to find a communication partner.
[0011]
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances. When an input prompting the user to use the interactive broadcast is given, the server promptly connects to the server device that provides the interactive broadcast, and It is an object of the present invention to provide a digital broadcast receiving apparatus and a bidirectional broadcast control method that can be used.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present invention includes a digital broadcast receiving means for receiving a digital broadcast, and a bidirectional broadcast detection for detecting whether the received digital broadcast is compatible with the bidirectional broadcast. And a wireless LAN interface for performing an interface process with a wireless LAN that is passed through when connecting to the server device that provides the interactive broadcasting, and an inquiry process for detecting a partner device on the wireless LAN is started. And the interactive broadcast detection means activates the activation means when it is detected that the received digital broadcast is compatible with interactive broadcast. .
[0013]
Preferably, public network access detection means for determining whether or not the device on the wireless LAN detected by the inquiry processing is a device capable of accessing the public network to which the server device is connected. You may make it provide further.
[0014]
Preferably, among the devices on the wireless LAN detected by the inquiry processing, those determined to be accessible to the public network to which the server device is connected by the public network access detection means Access point attribute storage means for storing the access point attribute information, and the access point attribute information held in the access point attribute storage means when an instruction for prompting the use of interactive broadcasting is input from the user And a display processing means for displaying information on a device capable of accessing the public network on the wireless LAN on a predetermined display.
[0015]
Preferably, after information related to a device that can access the public network on the wireless LAN is displayed on the predetermined display, a user can select any device that can access the public network on the wireless LAN. When an instruction is input, access to the public network to which the server apparatus is connected may be performed through the wireless LAN via the apparatus instructed by the user.
[0016]
The present invention is also a bidirectional broadcast control method in a digital broadcast receiving apparatus connected via a wireless LAN to a server apparatus that provides a bidirectional broadcast, wherein the digital broadcast is received and both the received digital broadcasts are received. Inquires whether or not it is compatible with bidirectional broadcasting, and when it is determined that the received digital broadcasting is compatible with bidirectional broadcasting, activates inquiry processing to detect the partner device on the wireless LAN Activating means for activating is activated.
[0017]
The present invention relating to the apparatus is also established as an invention relating to a method, and the present invention relating to a method is also established as an invention relating to an apparatus.
Further, the present invention relating to an apparatus or a method has a function for causing a computer to execute a procedure corresponding to the invention (or for causing a computer to function as a means corresponding to the invention, or for a computer to have a function corresponding to the invention. It is also established as a program (for realizing) and also as a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded.
[0018]
In the present invention, during reception of a digital broadcast, it is monitored whether the received digital broadcast is compatible with bidirectional broadcast, and it is detected that the received digital broadcast is compatible with bidirectional broadcast. In this case, an activation unit for activating inquiry processing (for example, inquiry when the wireless LAN is Bluetooth) is activated. As a result, a procedure such as Inquiry is started, and a partner device is detected on the wireless LAN. Further, it is determined whether or not the device on the wireless LAN detected by the inquiry process is a device that can access the public network to which the server device is connected, and an access point for the device that can access the public network. Attribute information can also be acquired. In addition, when an instruction to use the interactive broadcast is input from the user, information on a device accessible to the public network is displayed on the display, and if any device is selected by the user, the device passes through that device. The public network can be accessed through the wireless LAN.
[0019]
According to the present invention, when it is detected that the received digital broadcast is compatible with the interactive broadcast, all or a part of the processes necessary for using the interactive broadcast is performed in advance. When an input prompting the user to use the interactive broadcast is given, the user can immediately connect to the server device that provides the interactive broadcast and start using the interactive broadcast.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0021]
FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a broadcast / communication system including a digital broadcast receiver (digital TV) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0022]
101 is a digital TV, 102 is a mobile phone, 103 is a digital broadcast server, 104 is Bluetooth, and 105 is a public network.
[0023]
In this embodiment, when the digital TV 101, which is a digital broadcast receiving apparatus having a bidirectional broadcast function, communicates with the digital broadcast server 103 on the public network 105 (for bidirectional broadcast) (with a wireless LAN interface). The case where communication is performed via the mobile phone 102 is described as an example.
[0024]
In the present embodiment, communication between the digital TV 101 and the mobile phone 102 is performed via Bluetooth 104, which is a kind of wireless LAN (for Bluetooth, for example, at http://www.bluetooth.com). The explanation is detailed in the document disclosed as obtainable).
[0025]
The type of the public network 105 is not particularly limited. For example, the public network 105 is a telephone network, a cellular phone network, or a cellular phone Internet (for example, a protocol closed to a cellular phone such as i-mode). Internet) or the Internet.
[0026]
The digital TV 101 communicates with the digital broadcast server 103 on the public network 105 when performing so-called interactive broadcasting. The digital TV 101 has a device for receiving an action from a user, such as a TV remote controller 106, and the public TV 101 transmits a user input made by the TV remote controller 106 and the like to the server 103 on the broadcasting station side in order to transmit the user input. Communication means via the network 105 is required.
[0027]
In conventional systems, this is generally done by connecting a wired telephone line to a digital TV and connecting to a digital broadcast server via a telephone network.
[0028]
In this embodiment, the connection from the digital TV 101 to the public network 105 is performed via the mobile phone 102, and the Bluetooth 104 is used for the connection between the digital TV 101 and the mobile phone 102.
A connection form of digital TV = Bluetooth = cell phone = public network = digital broadcast server is established.
[0029]
In this case, as will be described later, a public network connection profile prepared for Bluetooth is used. This eliminates the need for communication wiring around the digital TV in the home.
[0030]
FIG. 2 shows an example of the internal configuration of the digital TV 101 of this embodiment.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 2, the digital TV 101 includes a digital broadcast receiving unit 201 for receiving a digital broadcast, an interactive broadcast processing unit 202 for performing processing related to an interactive broadcast service, and a digital broadcast being received. Is a two-way broadcast detection unit 203 for detecting whether or not it is compatible with two-way broadcasting, and an inquiry (inquiry processing) activation unit 204 for activating an inquiry for detecting a counterpart device on Bluetooth. A public network server connection unit 205 for performing a public network access procedure, and an access point attribute storage unit 206 for storing access point attribute information about a public network accessible device on Bluetooth detected by Inquiry. And Bluetooth detected by Inquiry A dial-up / LAN access detection unit 207 for detecting whether or not the above device supports a function for performing public network access, a Bluetooth interface 208 for performing an interface process with Bluetooth, and a user request are received A user request receiving unit 209 and a display unit 210 for displaying the received program and other information.
[0032]
FIG. 3 shows an example of the processing procedure of the digital TV 101.
[0033]
FIG. 4 / FIG. 5 shows an example of a sequence in the entire system.
[0034]
Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.
[0035]
First, the digital TV 101 receives a digital broadcast (broadcast from a broadcast station not shown) through the digital broadcast receiving unit 201. Digital broadcasting includes various broadcasting formats such as HDTV quality high-quality broadcasting, SD quality normal broadcasting, data broadcasting, and interactive broadcasting (interactive broadcasting). These broadcast formats may be performed simultaneously on the same program (time).
[0036]
On the other hand, the interactive broadcast detection unit 203 always monitors whether the received broadcast is compatible with interactive broadcast. Here, when it is detected that the received broadcast is a bidirectional broadcast (steps S301 and S401), the bidirectional broadcast detection unit 203 activates an inquiry activation unit 204, and the inquiry activation unit 204 performs a Bluetooth interface. Through 208, the Bluetooth inquiry is started (steps S302 and S402).
[0037]
The Bluetooth Inquiry is a procedure in which the Bluetooth device detects whether there is no other Bluetooth device capable of communication in the vicinity thereof, and is a procedure to be performed first in order for the Bluetooth device to communicate. It is known that this procedure generally takes about 10 seconds and in the worst case close to 20 seconds.
[0038]
When a user activates interactive broadcasting, it is desirable that the digital TV 101 can immediately communicate with the digital broadcasting server 103 on the public network 105. However, when the user activates interactive broadcasting, if it takes tens of seconds for the digital TV 101 to actually detect a device capable of communicating with the public network 105 on Bluetooth, it actually communicates with the digital broadcasting server 103. It will take time to do it, and it will make the user wait (as a result, the user will not be able to achieve the purpose or stress the user) ).
[0039]
Therefore, when the digital TV 101 of this embodiment detects that the received broadcast is compatible with bidirectional broadcast, it detects the communication device on the Bluetooth 104 by applying Bluetooth Inquiry, Furthermore, processing up to a place where a device capable of communicating with the public network 105 is detected is performed.
[0040]
Other devices on the Bluetooth 104 (here, the mobile phone 102 and a cable modem (not shown)) return Inquiry responses (steps S403 and S404). Upon receiving the inquiry response (step S303), the dial-up / LAN access detection unit 207 of the digital TV 101 establishes a Bluetooth connection with the device that returned the inquiry response, and the device uses the service detection protocol (SDP) or the like. It is detected whether or not a function for performing public network access is supported (steps S304, S305, S405, and S406). In addition, the detection as to whether or not the device supports a function for performing public network access is performed by, for example, whether the device is a dial-up profile, a LAN access profile, or a personal area network (PAN) profile. It can be done by checking whether or not it conforms to the above.
[0041]
If the dial-up / LAN access detection unit 207 of the digital TV 101 knows a device that can access the public network on the Bluetooth 104 by verifying the SDP reply, the Bluetooth address of the device, service attribute information (supported) The service number, the cellular phone number, the owner, the bit rate of the interface with the public network, the charge, etc.) are stored in the internal access point attribute storage unit 206 as access point attribute information (step) S306, S407).
[0042]
Here, an example is shown in which the Bluetooth connection is established when it is detected that the received broadcast is compatible with the bidirectional broadcast, but at that time, the Bluetooth connection is not established. There is also a method of capturing up to the Bluetooth address and storing it in the access point attribute storage unit 206 without performing the establishment. It is possible to know an outline (classification) of what the device is just by capturing the Bluetooth address, and it is possible to save time for Inquiry later. In this case, when there is a request for use of interactive broadcasting (step S408) from the user, the Bluetooth connection is established, service attribute information is collected, and the like.
[0043]
Now, suppose that the user makes a request for the use of interactive broadcasting, for example, by using the TV remote controller 106 (steps S307 and S408). In addition, the request | requirement of utilization of bidirectional | two-way broadcast includes the case where a user selects a certain function on the assumption of bidirectional | two-way broadcast besides the case where a user performs it explicitly.
[0044]
The user request receiving unit 209 receives the request for using the interactive broadcast from the user. Then, this request is notified to the access point attribute storage unit 206. Then, among the devices detected by Inquiry, access to the public network 105 is performed using any of the devices that are determined to be accessible to the public network 105 (that is, the devices previously stored in the access point attribute storage unit 206). A screen for allowing the user to make a selection as to whether to perform is created based on the access point attribute information stored in the access point attribute storage unit 206 (for example, by a display processing unit (not shown)). This screen is displayed on the display unit 210 (steps S308 and S409). This screen is displayed on the display device outside the digital TV 101 or in the display of the TV remote control 106 (in the case where the TV remote control 106 has a display) instead of or in addition to the display unit 210. May be.
[0045]
FIG. 6 shows an example of the contents of this screen. FIG. 6 illustrates a case where there are three devices that can access the public network in Bluetooth, two of which are mobile phones and the other is a cable modem. This screen example includes information on which communication method has the lowest cost or the most comfortable (high bit rate) for the user. Further, it is also displayed who the owner of the communication device is (to indicate to the user who is charged for the communication). In addition, as information for specifying the device, the phone number of the mobile phone, the position of the device, and the like may be displayed.
[0046]
The user selects a desired device from the devices accessible to the public network in the Bluetooth displayed on the display unit 210, and performs an operation such as pressing a numeric button or a confirmation button of the TV remote control 106, for example. It is determined (input) (steps S309 and S410). The input selection result is notified to the access point attribute storage unit 206 through the user request reception unit 209. Then, the public network server connection unit 205 is notified from the access point attribute storage unit 206, and the public network server connection unit 205 passes through the dial-up / LAN access detection unit 207 to select the selected device (here, the mobile phone 102). In response to this, a public network access procedure is performed (steps S310 and S411). For example, the cellular phone 102 of this embodiment attempts to connect to the digital broadcast server 103 on the public network 105 using a dial-up function. This dial-up is performed via the Bluetooth 104 and the public network 105, and the procedure and initialization are performed between the digital TV 101 and the digital broadcast server 103 (steps S311 and S412).
[0047]
Finally, a connection for the interactive broadcast service is established between the digital TV 101 and the digital broadcast server 103, and the service is started (steps S312 and S413). At this time, this connection connects the digital TV 101 and the digital broadcast server 103 via the Bluetooth 104, the mobile phone 102, and the public network 105.
[0048]
When the service is started, the interactive broadcast processing unit 202 performs a procedure for interactive broadcasting.
[0049]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, all or part of the processing necessary for using the interactive broadcast is preceded when it is detected that the received digital broadcast is compatible with the interactive broadcast. By doing so, when an input prompting the user to use the interactive broadcast is given, the user can immediately connect to the server device that provides the interactive broadcast and can start using the interactive broadcast.
[0050]
As an example of a method for selecting a public network access method, an embodiment in which selection by a user is performed has been shown so far. As another method, an automatic selection algorithm can be used. For example, the method that is considered the most comfortable for the user, that is, “the device with the lowest charge (a constant connection contract, etc., and the charge is a flat fee)” or “the interface with the public network This is a method of selecting the “device with the highest bit rate”. Such information can be acquired by, for example, Bluetooth SDP or a higher-level protocol. In this case, since it is not necessary to ask the user how to connect, the connection with the digital broadcast server can be further advanced.
[0051]
FIG. 7 shows an example of the procedure in this case. First, the ones for which the contract for connecting to the public network is a flat fee is selected (step S601), and then those with the highest bit rate are arranged in order (step S602), and the highest order is obtained at that time. A public network connection method is selected (step S603).
[0052]
Of course, the wireless node stored in the access point attribute storage unit is periodically polled to check whether it still exists. It may be canceled.
[0053]
Each function described above can be realized as software.
The present embodiment can also be implemented as a program for causing a computer to execute predetermined means (or for causing a computer to function as predetermined means, or for causing a computer to realize predetermined functions), The present invention can also be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded.
[0054]
Note that the configuration illustrated in the embodiment of the present invention is an example, and is not intended to exclude other configurations, and a part of the illustrated configuration may be replaced with another or one of the illustrated configurations. Other configurations obtained by omitting a part, adding another function or element to the illustrated configuration, or combining them are also possible. Also, another configuration that is logically equivalent to the exemplified configuration, another configuration that includes a portion that is logically equivalent to the exemplified configuration, another configuration that is logically equivalent to the main part of the illustrated configuration, and the like are possible. is there. Further, another configuration that achieves the same or similar purpose as the illustrated configuration, another configuration that achieves the same or similar effect as the illustrated configuration, and the like are possible.
In addition, various variations of various components illustrated in the embodiment of the present invention can be implemented in appropriate combination.
Further, the embodiment of the present invention is an invention of an invention as an individual device, an invention of two or more related devices, an invention of the entire system, an invention of components within an individual device, or a method corresponding thereto. The invention includes inventions according to various viewpoints, stages, concepts, or categories.
Therefore, the present invention can be extracted from the contents disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention without being limited to the exemplified configuration.
[0055]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented with various modifications within the technical scope thereof.
[0056]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, when it is detected that the received digital broadcast is compatible with the interactive broadcast, all or a part of the processes necessary for using the interactive broadcast is performed in advance. When an input prompting the user to use the interactive broadcast is given, the user can immediately connect to the server device that provides the interactive broadcast and start using the interactive broadcast.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a broadcasting / communication system including a digital TV according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an internal configuration of the digital TV according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of the digital TV according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence in the entire system according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of a screen for selecting a public network access method displayed on the display of the digital TV according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a public network access method selection that can be applied to the digital TV according to the embodiment. Flow chart showing an example of the processing procedure for the above [Explanation of symbols]
101 ... Digital TV
102 ... Mobile phone 103 ... Digital broadcast server 104 ... Bluetooth
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 105 ... Public network 201 ... Digital broadcast receiving part 202 ... Interactive broadcast processing part 203 ... Interactive broadcast detection part 204 ... Inquiry starting part 205 ... Public network server connection part 206 ... Access point attribute memory | storage part 207 ... Dial-up LAN access Detecting unit 208 ... Bluetooth interface 209 ... User request receiving unit 210 ... Display unit

Claims (8)

A digital broadcast receiving means for receiving the digital broadcast;
Interactive broadcast detection means for detecting whether the received digital broadcast is compatible with bidirectional broadcast;
A wireless LAN interface for performing an interface process with a wireless LAN through which the interactive broadcast service is connected to the server device;
Starting means for starting inquiry processing for detecting a partner device on the wireless LAN,
The digital broadcast receiving apparatus, wherein the interactive broadcast detection means activates the activation means when it is detected that the received digital broadcast is compatible with interactive broadcast. It further comprises public network access detection means for determining whether the device on the wireless LAN detected by the inquiry process is a device capable of accessing the public network to which the server device is connected. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 1. Of the devices on the wireless LAN detected by the inquiry process, access points for devices determined to be accessible to the public network to which the server device is connected by the public network access detection means Access point attribute storage means for storing attribute information;
The present invention relates to an apparatus capable of accessing a public network on a wireless LAN based on the access point attribute information held in the access point attribute storage means when an instruction for prompting use of interactive broadcasting is input from a user. 3. The digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising display processing means for displaying information on a predetermined display. The display means displays, on the predetermined display, information relating to a device that can access the public network on the wireless LAN according to a permutation obtained by a predetermined evaluation function determined in advance based on the access point attribute information. 4. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 3, wherein the digital broadcast receiver is displayed. After information related to a device capable of accessing the public network on the wireless LAN is displayed on the predetermined display, an instruction is input from the user to select any device that can access the public network on the wireless LAN. 4. The digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, when received, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus accesses the public network to which the server apparatus is connected through the wireless LAN through the apparatus instructed by the user. 6. The device capable of accessing the public network on the wireless LAN is a mobile phone on the public network and has a wireless LAN interface for the wireless LAN. The digital broadcast receiver according to the item. The digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein Bluetooth is used as the wireless LAN. A bidirectional broadcast control method in a digital broadcast receiver connected via a wireless LAN to a server device that provides bidirectional broadcast,
Receive digital broadcasts,
It is checked whether or not the received digital broadcast is compatible with bidirectional broadcast, and when it is determined that the received digital broadcast is compatible with bidirectional broadcast, the counterpart device on the wireless LAN A bidirectional broadcast control method, comprising: activating an activation unit for activating an inquiry process for detecting a message.

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