JP3809641B2 - AV device, AV device location confirmation / management apparatus, and AV device location confirmation / management method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device location confirmation and management system for AV equipment composed of AV equipment owned by a user and a security center or the like corresponding to external equipment via a communication line consisting of a telephone line network. A specific ID number (identification number) is assigned to the AV device, and this ID number and / or user telephone number information is registered in advance in the security center, and each AV device periodically communicates the ID number to the security center. The present invention also relates to an AV device location confirmation and management system configured to confirm and manage the location of an AV device by comparing outgoing phone number information and user phone number information corresponding to an ID number.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Calling phone number notification service is a business conducted by a telephone company. When a call is received on a telephone line that is a communication line for a user who has subscribed to this service, the call is sent from the exchange before the user picks up the handset. Phone number information is sent to the telephone line, is widely used in the United States and the United Kingdom, and trial operation is scheduled to start in Japan in 1996.
[0003]
As shown in FIG. 5, this calling telephone number notification service has a configuration in which a calling telephone number notification function is provided on the communication line (exchange) side.
[0004]
In this calling telephone number notification function, first, when the exchange side makes a call, the polarities of L1 and L2 of the subscriber line are reversed, and the ID receiving terminal activation signal is sent from the exchange side to the communication device (telephone) side. Sent.
[0005]
On the communication device side, when the polarity inversion of L1 and L2 is detected in the on-hook state, an ID receiving terminal activation signal from the exchange is waited for.
[0006]
If the communication device side does not receive the ID receiving terminal activation signal after polarity reversal, the processing ends. When the communication device side receives the ID receiving terminal activation signal from the exchange side, a primary response signal is transmitted to the exchange by forming a DC loop between L1 and L2.
[0007]
When the exchange side receives the primary response signal, it sends a calling telephone number notification or ID non-notification reason. The ID non-notification reason classification indicates whether the caller refuses to send the caller telephone number, the call is received from outside the service area (area), or the call is from a public telephone.
[0008]
When the communication device side receives the calling telephone number notification from the exchange side, the communication device side transmits a reception completion signal by cutting the loop of L1 and L2.
[0009]
In this way, the calling telephone number notification function is performed without off-hooking the handset on the communication device side. As for the normal telephone function, communication is performed off-hook by receiving a call signal.
[0010]
Calling number notification service in the United States is a service name of Caller ID, and a service for notifying the calling party of the calling number is started in 1987 and is already provided in 48 states (as of September 1994) and The number of subscribers reached 1.5 million at the end of 1993. This is a 50 percent increase over the previous year.
[0011]
In the UK, full-scale provision has started in November 1994 under the name of Caller Display.
[0012]
In Japan, this service is provided between some ISDN terminals via digital lines.
[0013]
As an example of Atlantic in the United States, a service that displays the telephone number of the person who made the call on the display device attached to the called telephone was started in 1989 under the name of IQ service in Philadelphia. This is called a class service and is one of the flat-rate services.
[0014]
In addition to this class service,
A. Call Block (Reject incoming calls for a specific number)
In Japan, the service is already limited to urban areas under the name of “no nuisance call blocking service”.
[0015]
B. Call Trace (Caller ID Search)
In other words, in reverse detection, when a call is made to a specific number within a certain time after a call, the other party's number, connection time, reverse detection time, etc. are recorded in the telephone company.
[0016]
C. Priority Call (identification call)
A service that changes the ring tone according to the registered caller phone number. For example, you can know before calling the phone from relatives, friends, etc. and the phone from the first person.
[0017]
D. Repeat Call (automatic dial)
When the other party is busy (Busy), he / she connects when the other party ends the call.
[0018]
E. Return Call (Recall of the most recent call)
Automatically dial the last incoming phone number. You can make a call from someone you don't know.
[0019]
Negative opinions about such class services include infringement of caller privacy, the possibility of undisclosed phone numbers, and the danger of people who don't want to be known by others. There is sex etc.
[0020]
On the other hand, as a positive opinion, there are advantages such as protection of the recipient's privacy, prevention of mischievous calls, identification of the caller such as the police and fire department, and the like.
[0021]
  In the current situation where there are pros and cons, Amelia and the United Kingdom consider the negative opinions mentioned above, but use “normal notification” as the basis,Don't wantIndividuals can apply for “telephone service” individually by applying to the telephone company. The fee is borne by the recipient receiving the profit, and the sender is free.
[0022]
In Japan, even if you select “Normal notification” or “Normal non-notification” and select normal notification, dialing a specific three digits, for example, “184” before the other party's phone number will change the phone number. It may be possible not to notify. Also in the United States, in the case of a partner Caller ID service subscriber, there is a case where a caution signal is transmitted to the caller side.
[0023]
By the way, in Japan, a telephone number is displayed under the names of “calling telephone number notification service” and “call back service” and the above-mentioned E.I. A Return Call service is scheduled to be offered on a limited basis in a limited area.
[0024]
  As a prior art related to this so-called communication service, when the handset is lifted, the voice of who is callingTell(US4899358), the ringing tone is changed according to the call destination and the caller ID number (US4995075), the answering machine response is changed depending on the caller (US4996704), and the incoming time and ID number of the voice mail are displayed on the screen (US5003777). Etc.
[0025]
Recently, many personal computers with built-in modems and CD-ROM drives called multimedia personal computers have appeared. However, it is left to the owner to confirm and manage the location of AV equipment such as computers and VCRs. For example, if it is unfortunately stolen or lost, the location cannot be confirmed.
[0026]
In the United States, the Caller ID of the connected telephone line is automatically set by calling a computer with a built-in modem, which is a communication means, and making a call to a free-dial security center at regular intervals in the United States. To check and manage the location of the AV device. By providing such a function in the AV device, it is easy to confirm and manage the location of the AV device itself by checking with the owner's telephone number registered in advance in the security center together with the discretion of the owner. Can do.
[0027]
In the US Call ID service, depending on the region (state), not only the phone number of the caller but also the name registered in the telephone office is included, so the AV device is not limited to confirming the location of the AV device. It is possible to easily perform management and management such as the operation state and operation of persons other than the owner.
[0028]
Of course, any telephone owner can refuse to send the calling telephone number to the other party to the telephone company, so that the AV equipment connected to the telephone line in the security center can be refused. Management operation is not 100%, but if a technique such as reverse detection is used, the probability can be maintained extremely high.
[0029]
Such a function is built in a hard disk or the like in the form of a program in an AV device having a modem as a communication means, and cannot be deleted by a normal operation. Of course, if the communication function using this modem is not used, it can be used as a single AV device, but today, the range of using the function as a single unit is extremely limited without using the communication function. Eventually it becomes unusable.
[0030]
On the other hand, if the device is a computer, the built-in modem, which is a communication means, enhances the functions, and for example, by adding auto-dial software, the added value can be further increased. On the other hand, in the case of AV equipment, it is not expected to increase the added value by incorporating a modem, except for some equipment such as DirecTV, DMC IRD (Integrated Receiver / Decoder), so-called communication karaoke.
[0031]
However, looking at the present and the near future, many AV devices with built-in modems such as the above-mentioned IRD and home-use communication karaoke appear, and even if not so much that each AV device such as a home has a built-in modem, Among such AV devices, at least one of them has a built-in modem that is a means for communicating with external devices. If NCU (Network Control Unit) is used instead of a modem, telephones are already popular in the society that constitutes most homes. In other words, using this popular telephone line, only a functional part of a group of AV devices, for example, a modem or NCU built in a plurality of AV devices in the home, is connected to other AV devices. If the control is performed from above, the location confirmation and management system of the AV device can be realized even if the AV device is not equipped with a communication means.
[0032]
Specifically, the IRD of the Direc TV, which is a paid DSS (Digital Satellite System) currently serviced in the United States, has a built-in modem and uses a telephone line for PPV (Pay Per View) payments and the like. ing.
[0033]
In Japan, a modem, which is a communication means, is scheduled to be built in the IRD of the DMC that is currently planned. In the future, a modem will be installed on the AV device side in order to realize a paid service linked to broadcasting in the AV device. May be built in. Incidentally, in the IRD in Japan, in the case of a contract for only a basic channel, it is not an essential requirement to connect a telephone line when installing AV equipment. Connection to a telephone line is necessary only when a spot such as a PPV program is used, and a viewing request from the user's device is registered before viewing the PPV program. Then, after actually watching the broadcast, the contents of viewing, viewing time, etc. are reported to the center together with the user ID number once a month. Therefore, it is reasonable to perform the communication for the report notification in a time zone such as at night when the line is relatively free. Of course, communication to the center side is automatically performed, and a database of user names and accounts is prepared as billing destination information.
[0034]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, a collection of AV devices described in the related art, for example, only an AV device having a communication function among a plurality of AV devices at home has a normal ID number, and communicates with an external device. A set of AV devices are not connected to each other, or are connected to each other to transmit and receive audio and video signals, and do not have communication functions such as information on the devices themselves. There is a problem that confirmation and management cannot be performed automatically.
[0035]
Therefore, even if a group of AV devices, for example, a plurality of AV devices in the home does not have a built-in ID number communication function, at least one connected AV device has a communication function with an external device. If so, there is a problem in the AV device and AV device location confirmation / management system capable of communicating AV device information including the ID number of other AV devices.
[0036]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve the above problems, an AV device according to the present invention provides:A connection unit that is connected to a plurality of other AV devices via a digital bus and is capable of transmitting and receiving data by designating one of the plurality of other AV devices whose connection is automatically detected; An AV device comprising an ID transmission unit that transmits an ID number unique to the AV device to another AV device specified via the ID transmission unit, wherein the ID transmission unit is the other AV device whose connection is automatically detected. When a communication device having communication means capable of communicating with another external device via a communication line is included, at least the ID number unique to the AV device connected to each other is transmitted to the other external device by the communication means. When the communication device is requested to transmit to the device, and the ID number unique to the AV device is not transmitted from the communication device to the other external device, the main function of the AV device is locked. It is. Further, when the ID number unique to the AV device is transmitted from the communication device, the locked state is released.
[0037]
  Also, the AV device location confirmation / management device connects to a plurality of AV devices each having a unique ID number via a digital bus, and designates one of the plurality of AV devices whose connection is automatically detected. A connection means capable of transmitting and receiving data, and connected to a communication device capable of transmitting the ID numbers unique to the plurality of AV devices connected to each other received by the connection means via a communication line. AV device location confirmation / management apparatus, which is an ID number unique to the AV deviceAnd the user's phone number informationID registration means to be registered in advance is provided, and the ID number registered in advance by the ID registration meansPhone number information corresponding to the AV device and the ID number unique to the AV device are sent to the destination phone number information of the communication device.And the location of the AV device is confirmed and managed.
  The ID registration means is an ID number registered in advance.The transmission history transmitted from the communication device and received for the AV device corresponding toIn other words, the location of the AV device is confirmed and managed.
  Furthermore, the AV device location confirmation / management apparatus connects to a plurality of AV devices each having a unique ID number via a digital bus, and designates one of the plurality of AV devices whose connection is automatically detected. A connection means capable of transmitting and receiving data, and connected to a communication device capable of transmitting the ID numbers unique to the plurality of AV devices connected to each other received by the connection means via a communication line. An AV device location confirmation / management apparatus comprising ID phone information registration means for previously registering an ID number unique to the AV device and telephone number information of the ID number, and the registered ID numberBased onThe telephone number information of the ID number retrieved from the ID number sent from the communication device and the communication deviceCalling phone number informationAnd confirming and managing the installation location of the AV device and the location where the AV device is installed.
  The ID telephone information registration means is a pre-registered ID number.Is transmitted from the communication device for the AV device corresponding toThe received transmission history is checked, and the location of the AV device is confirmed and managed.
[0038]
Even if the AV device having the above-described configuration is an aggregate of a plurality of AV devices, it is possible to manage the installation of each AV device periodically or according to preference. Even if it occurs, it is possible to quickly deal with it, for example, to confirm the location of the AV device from the ID number sent from the communication line.
[0039]
  The AV device location confirmation / management method is such that a plurality of other AV devices are connected to each other via a digital bus, and one of the other AV devices whose connection is automatically detected is designated to transmit / receive data. A location confirmation / management method for an AV device comprising: a connection unit capable of transmitting an ID, and an ID transmission unit that transmits an ID number unique to the AV device to another AV device designated via the connection unit, A communication device having communication means capable of communicating via a communication line with an AV device location confirmation / management apparatus for confirming and managing the location of the device is designated as the other AV device, and the AV device transmits the communication device to the communication device. When an AV device-specific ID number is requested to be transmitted to the AV device location confirmation / management apparatus, and an ID number unique to the AV device is not transmitted from the communication device to the AV device location confirmation / management apparatus And to the main function of the AV apparatus in the locked state.
  When the unique ID number is transmitted, the locked state is released.
  When the requested ID number information unique to the plurality of AV devices is normally transmitted from the communication means of the communication device to the AV device location confirmation / management apparatus via the communication line, the AV device In the ID registration means provided in the location confirmation / management deviceThe telephone number information of the user registered in advance in association with the ID number;,And the destination telephone number information of the communication device to which the ID number unique to the AV device is sent.In comparison, the location of the AV device is confirmed and managed.
  The ID registration means is an ID number registered in advance.Is transmitted from the communication device for the AV device corresponding toThe received transmission history is checked, and the location of the AV device is confirmed and managed.
  In addition, the AV device location confirmation / management method is such that data is connected to a plurality of other AV devices via a digital bus, and one of the plurality of other AV devices whose connection is automatically detected is designated. A location confirmation / management method for an AV device comprising: a connection means capable of transmitting / receiving data; and an ID transmission unit for transmitting an ID number unique to the AV device to another AV device designated via the connection means. A communication device having a communication means capable of communicating via a communication line with an AV device location confirmation / management apparatus for confirming and managing the location of the AV device is designated as the other AV device, and the communication device Requesting the AV device location confirmation / management apparatus to transmit the ID number unique to the AV device, and transmitting at least the ID number information unique to the AV device from the communication means of the communication device to the communication ID phone information that is transmitted to the AV device location confirmation / management device via a line, and that the ID number unique to the AV device and telephone number information of the ID number are registered in advance in the AV device location confirmation / management device An ID number registered in the ID telephone information registration means is provided.Based onThe telephone number information of the ID number retrieved from the ID number sent from the communication device and the communication deviceCalling phone number informationAnd confirming and managing the installation location of the AV device and the location where the AV device is installed.
  The ID telephone information registration means is a pre-registered ID number.Is transmitted from the communication device for the AV device corresponding toBy checking the received transmission history, the location of the AV device is confirmed and managed.
[0040]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  AV equipment according to the present invention andAV device location confirmation / management apparatus and AV device location confirmation / management methodAs shown in FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a television receiver TV in a home, a personal computer PC, a video recorder VCR, an IRD,MDP (Mini Disc Player)Are connected to the 1394 home network 100 that is directly or indirectly connected to each other via the IEEE 1394 bus (hereinafter referred to as “1394 bus”), and other external devices via the telephone line network 200 of the telephone company as a communication line. Alternatively, a security center 300 that is a specific counterpart device is connected.
[0041]
The 1394 bus is a digital interface standard suitable for connection of AV equipment, and is used via a digital interface capable of packet-type serial bidirectional communication.
[0042]
In other words, the IEEE 1394 standard digital interface has the ability to automatically detect that a new node (digital AV equipment) has been connected, so it can be used as a trigger to automatically notify the user and install the AV equipment. Can be equipped with the ability to detect.
[0043]
Connection by the IEEE 1934 standard digital interface is optional as long as a loop is not formed.
This digital interface includes a 6-core cable, the same connector connected to both ends of the 6-core cable, an LSI physical layer connected to each connector, and an LSI link connected to the physical layer. And a transaction layer connected to the link layer. The transaction layer consists of firmware.
[0044]
The 6-core cable consists of two pairs of shielded wires and two electric wires. The shield lines are a data line and a strobe line, and are used for data transfer, and the other two are used as power supply lines. Therefore, even an AV device whose power is turned off can bypass the signal, and a signal can be sent to an AV device ahead of the AV device whose power is turned off.
[0045]
The connector incorporates a transceiver, and the transceiver and cable form a repeater.
One end of the physical layer is connected to the 6-core cable, and the other end is connected to the link layer. The physical layer encodes the electrical signal input from the 6-core cable and sends it to the link layer, and also decodes the code data received from the link layer into an electrical signal and sends it to the 6-core cable. The physical layer also performs bus arbitration, which will be described later.
[0046]
The link layer creates a packet based on the data encoded in the physical layer, transmits the packet to the transaction layer, and decrypts the packet received from the transaction layer. The link layer controls the packet transfer cycle.
[0047]
  The digital interface of the IEEE1394 standard configured as described above has the following characteristics.
(1) There are many AV devices that can be connected.ConnectionAre not fixed, and AV equipment can be freely added or deleted at any position by inserting or removing the connector.
(2) Automatically detect changes in AV equipment in the system and automaticallyConnectionHas the function of resetting.
[0048]
(3) Since the cable is thin and the connector is small, it is easy to route the cable and attach / detach the connector. Also, the cost is low.
[0049]
(4) The signal transfer rate is faster than the conventional serial transfer. This is because a signal is sent by serial transfer (transfer by one bit) using a pair of data lines and a pair of strobe lines, and the data line is changed when the potential of either the data line or the strobe line changes. This is because the data is read by the DS link method in accordance with the rule of “read data of“ This DS link method corresponds to the temporal fluctuation of the potential of the data line. This eliminates the need to insert start bits and stop bits every 8 bits as in conventional serial transfer (for example, RS232C), and improves the transfer speed.
[0050]
(5) It has a bus arbitration function for preventing a specific AV device from monopolizing the serial bus. This is for transferring data in units of packets, and the packet length is limited to a maximum of 512 bytes (corresponding to about 40 μs for a transfer rate of 100 Mbit / s).
The packet includes an ordinary packet, an emergency packet having a high priority, and an isochronous packet described later having a higher priority.
[0051]
(6) The most characteristic function that the IEEE1394 digital interface is said to be suitable for the multimedia AV system is an isochronous transfer function using isochronous packets. Isochronous means that the time allocated to each AV device is constant, the allocation time of any AV device is the same, and the allocation is repeated at regular intervals.
[0052]
Isochronous packets always take priority over all other packets from the link layer through the isochronous channel at regular time intervals.transferThus, other packets cannot be transferred until the transfer is completed. When each AV device receives the isochronous packet, it determines whether the data is necessary for itself, and performs or ignores the processing based on the determination result.
[0053]
Each AV device transmits a packet for each assigned time in the order of the designated node number. However, emergency packets have priority over normal packets, and isochronous packets have priority over all other packets.
[0054]
In the 1394 home network 100 shown in FIG. 1, a time slot is periodically assigned to the 1394 interface of each AV device, and each 1394 interface has an arbitrary AV device as a destination in the time slot assigned to itself. Send data to be used. In addition, the 1394 interface of each AV device accepts data addressed to itself and passes data other than data addressed to itself. In this way, each AV device can exchange data with any AV device at high speed.
[0055]
In the present embodiment, the VCR is a root device, and the VCR returns an IRD address when receiving an inquiry about an AV device having a communication function from all AV devices.
[0056]
Each AV device in the 1394 home network 100 includes a main device for performing an AV function unique to the AV device, a 1394 interface, and an ID transmission unit. The ID transmission unit includes a microcomputer having a memory that stores an automatic ID transmission program, an ID unique to the AV device, and a telephone number of the security center 300.
[0057]
As will be described later, the ID transmission unit has a function of executing an automatic ID transmission program and requesting the IRD to transmit an ID number to the security center 300 via the 1394 interface at a predetermined cycle or time. Yes.
[0058]
Further, the ID transmission unit has an ID transmission function that is manually activated by a remote controller, for example. In this case, an “ID transmission” button is provided on the remote controller, and an ID number is transmitted by pressing this button.
[0059]
In addition, the ID transmitter has a function of locking the operation of the main device except for the ID transmission function that is manually activated when the period during which the ID number cannot be automatically transmitted for a certain reason exceeds a predetermined period. Yes. In this case, the lock is released after the ID number is manually transmitted.
[0060]
The IRD is an AV device as the only communication device having a communication function with the outside of the system in the 1394 home network 100 shown in FIG. 1, and includes a modem and NCU as a communication device, a 1394 interface, and an ID transmission unit. And have. One end of the modem is connected to the 1394 interface, and the other end is connected to one end of the NCU. The other end of the NCU is connected to a telephone line network 200 including a telephone company exchange through a communication line 201.
[0061]
The ID transmission unit of the IRD includes a dial tone detection circuit and a circuit that operates to stop transmission of an ID number when a dial tone is not detected by the dial tone detection circuit after off-hook.
[0062]
A line 301 as an ID transmission destination of the security center 300 is connected to the exchange of the telephone line network 200. This line 301 is a free dial. That is, the ID transmission fee on the transmission side for the ID transmission destination is free.
[0063]
Further, the ID transmission destination line 301 of the security center 300 is subscribed to a calling telephone number notification service provided by the telephone line network 200. That is, the user does not need to subscribe to the calling telephone number notification service.
[0064]
The security center 300 also includes a database 302 that records a correspondence table in which ID numbers of all AV devices registered in advance by a user and user telephone number information are associated, and ID transmission histories of all AV devices, And a computer 303 for executing a confirmation program.
[0065]
The device location confirmation program retrieves the user telephone number information from the correspondence table based on the received ID number, and compares the user telephone number information with the outgoing telephone number information of the line from which the ID number is transmitted. Identify the current location of the device and notify the user with a report command.
[0066]
In addition, the location confirmation program detects an AV device that does not transmit an ID number every time based on the ID transmission history of the AV device, estimates the possibility of loss or theft, and takes measures.
[0067]
The general operation of the AV device location confirmation system shown in FIG. 1 is as follows.
Each AV device (PC, TV, VCR, MDP) uses an IRD through a 1394 bus during a certain period, for example, once a week or month, at a time when the telephone line that is a communication line is not used frequently, such as late at night. ID transmission request. Based on the above request, the IRD calls the telephone number of the security center 300 to the exchange of the telephone line network 200 by auto-dial.
[0068]
The telephone line network 200 connects the line 201 to the line 301, calls the security center 300, transmits outgoing telephone number information via the line 201, and transmits the ID number transmitted from the line 201.
The security center 300 receives the ID number and the calling phone number information, searches the user table for user phone number information corresponding to the ID number, and compares the user phone number information with the received calling phone number information. To do.
[0069]
If the user telephone number information and the calling telephone number information match, it is determined that there is no abnormality because, for example, the television receiver TV that is transmitting the ID number exists in the 1394 home system. If the two telephone number information is different, it is determined that the television receiver TV does not exist in the user's house.
[0070]
Further, the security center 300 checks the ID transmission history of the AV device, and determines that there is a possibility that an AV device that does not transmit an ID at a predetermined cycle does not exist at a preset position or is not connected. To do.
[0071]
As described above, when the security center 300 determines that the AV device has the above-described possibility, the security center 300 determines the name of the AV device if it can be located based on the outgoing telephone number information, and sends a notification command including these to the telephone network 201 and the IRD. And send it to users.
[0072]
Hereinafter, the configuration of a television receiver TV as a representative AV device will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
[0073]
As shown in FIG. 2, the television receiver TV includes an antenna 1, a tuner 2, an intermediate frequency circuit 3, a video processing unit 4, an audio processing unit 5, a superimposed display processing unit 6, and a display 7. , Mixed sound processing unit 8, speaker 9, 1394 interface 10, video decoder 11, audio decoder 12, D / A converters 13 and 14, timer 15, I / O circuit 16, ROM 17, , EEPROM 18, RAM 19, CPU 21, data bus 22, I / O circuit 23, VRAM 24, display controller 25, I / O circuit 26, remote control signal decoder 27, and remote control 28. .
[0074]
The radio wave received by the antenna 1 is supplied to the tuner 2. A tuning signal is supplied to the tuner 2 via the I / O circuit 23. The tuner 2 selects the broadcast signal of the channel designated by the channel selection signal, converts it to an intermediate frequency signal, and outputs it to the intermediate frequency circuit 3.
[0075]
The intermediate frequency circuit 3 demodulates the video signal and the audio signal from the intermediate frequency signal, and outputs the video signal to the video processing unit 4 and the audio signal to the audio processing unit 5, respectively.
[0076]
The video signal processed by the video processing unit 4 is input to one input terminal a of the superimposed display processing unit 6. Video data such as characters, character strings, symbols, icons, still images, and animation supplied from the display controller 25 described later is input to the other input terminal b of the superimposed display processing unit 6.
[0077]
The superimposed display processing unit 6 has an input terminal c connected to the D / A converter 13. Display data such as a message transmitted from an external device through the 1394 interface 10 is input to the input terminal c.
[0078]
This superimposing display processing unit 6 is controlled by a selection control signal input from a CPU 21 to a control terminal (not shown), selects input terminal a, b or input terminal c, and selects input terminals a, b. It also has an input switching function for outputting a superimposed signal of these input signals or any one of them.
[0079]
The display 7 displays the output signal of the superimposed display processing unit 6 on the CRT screen. In other words, the superimposed signal is displayed by superimposing two video signals, and in the case of any single video signal, it is displayed alone.
[0080]
The mixed sound processing unit 8 has input terminals d, e, and f. The broadcast audio signal processed by the audio processing unit 5 is input to the input terminal d. Audio data stored in the ROM 17 is input to the input terminal e via the I / O circuit 26. In addition, audio data output from the D / A converter 14 is input to the input terminal f.
[0081]
The mixed sound processing unit 8 is controlled by a selection control signal input from the CPU 21 to a control terminal (not shown), selects the input terminal d, e or the input terminal f, and when the input terminals d, e are selected, It also has an input switching function for outputting a mixed signal of these input signals or any one of them, and outputs the selected audio signal to the speaker 9 after adjusting the volume or balancing the mixed sound.
The speaker 9 outputs the sound signal output from the mixed sound processing unit 8 as sound.
[0082]
The 1394 interface 10 has a function of connecting a control line of the 1394 bus to the data bus 22 and connecting a data line of the 1394 bus to the decoders 11 and 12. With this function, command packets and control packets flowing through the 1394 bus flow to the data bus 22, and video and audio data packets flow to the video decoder 11 and the audio decoder 12, respectively.
[0083]
Of the digital data packets, the video packet is decoded by the video decoder 11, converted to an analog signal by the D / A converter 13, and supplied to the input terminal c of the superimposed display processing unit 6. The voice packet is decoded by the voice decoder 12, converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 14, and supplied to the input terminal f of the mixed sound processing unit 8.
[0084]
The timer 15 measures the real time clock and notifies the CPU 21 of the real time via the I / O circuit 16. The timer 15 has a counter that generates an interrupt for starting execution of the automatic ID transmission program at a constant cycle.
[0085]
The ROM 17 stores an automatic ID transmission program, a display control program for realizing the original functions of the TV, and fixed data such as fonts, still images, and animations.
[0086]
The EEPROM 18 is a non-volatile memory, and important data among the variable data, for example, the ID of the AV device set by the user, the telephone number of the security center 300 (see FIG. 1) (for example, 0120-12-1234 free dial) ) Etc.
[0087]
The RAM 19 temporarily stores work data when the CPU 21 executes a program.
[0088]
The CPU 21 controls the overall operation of the TV as described below by executing a program stored in the ROM 17.
(1) During normal broadcast reception, AV functions such as channel selection, display, and audio output are controlled.
[0089]
(2) When a command instructing to display information from a certain AV device is received through the 1394 bus, the data path of the 1394 interface 10 is closed, and the video data in the information is transferred to the video decoder 11 and the D / A. The voice signal is passed to the mixed voice processing unit 8 via the voice decoder 12 and the D / A converter 14 through the converter 13 to the superimposed display processing unit 6. As a result, the video message is displayed in a superimposed manner on the display device 7 and a voice message is output from the speaker 9.
[0090]
(3) A predetermined ID transmission cycle and transmission time stored in the ROM 17 are set in the counter of the timer 15, and the CPU is interrupted by the counter to execute an automatic ID transmission program described later stored in the ROM 17. Thus, it functions as the ID transmission unit. The automatic ID transmission program will be described later.
[0091]
The data bus 22 is a data exchange path between the CPU 21 and other circuits.
The I / O circuit 23 sends a channel selection control signal to the tuner 2 under the control of the CPU 21.
The VRAM 24 stores pixel data for one screen such as a message to be superimposed on the broadcast video.
[0092]
The display controller 25 uses a character, a character string, a symbol, an icon, a still image, a moving image, etc. stored in the ROM 17 under the control of the CPU 21 according to an instruction from the remote controller 28, and displays one of the indicators 7 on the VRAM 24. A message, menu, image, etc. for the screen are created and sent to the superimposed display processing unit 6. Information consisting of messages, menus, images, and the like for one screen is superimposed on a normal broadcast image and displayed on the display unit 7.
[0093]
The remote control signal decoder 27 has a function of receiving and decoding an infrared remote control signal transmitted from a remote control 28 operated by a user and sending it to the CPU 21 via the I / O circuit 26.
[0094]
Hereinafter, the configuration of the IRD as a communication device of the 1394 home system will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
[0095]
The IRD assumes an IRD such as a so-called Direc TV, which is a pay digital satellite system, or a DMC scheduled in Japan. Since the IRD is provided with a communication line for PPV (pay per view) billing and the like, this communication line is used as the telephone line 201 in FIG.
[0096]
As shown in FIG. 3, the IRD includes a satellite antenna 30, an IRD function unit 31, a 1394 interface 32, an NCU 33, a modem 34, a CPU 35, and a ROM 37 and an EEPROM 38 connected to the CPU 35 via a data bus 36. RAM 39, I / O circuits 40 and 41, and a timer 42.
[0097]
The IRD function unit 31 is connected to the data bus 36 via the I / O circuit 40, is controlled by the CPU 35, and demodulates the television broadcast radio wave received by the satellite antenna 30. The broadcast video signal and audio signal demodulated by the IRD function unit 31 are transmitted to another AV device such as a TV through the 1394 interface 32.
[0098]
The NCU 33 is connected to the telephone line 201.
One end of the modem 34 is connected to the NCU 33, and the other end is connected to the CPU 35 via the I / O circuit 41 and the data bus 36.
The NCU 33 or modem 34 includes a dial tone detection circuit.
[0099]
The CPU 35 controls the ROM 37, EEPROM 38, RAM 39, and timer 42 to execute the following two functions.
(1) Self ID transmission control
As with other AV devices, the automatic ID transmission program is executed and the self ID is transmitted to the communication line 201 via the I / O circuit 40, the modem 34, and the NCU 33.
[0100]
(2) Acceptance and execution of ID transmission requests from other AV devices
When an ID transmission request is received from another AV device through the 1394 bus, the 1394 interface 32, and the data bus 36, the ID is sent to the communication line 201 via the I / O circuit 40, the modem 34, and the NCU 33.
[0101]
(3) If the dial tone detection of the NCU 33 or the modem 34 does not detect the dial tone after the off-hook and before sending the telephone number selection signal, the transmission of the ID number is stopped.
[0102]
Hereinafter, automatic ID transmission control of an ID transmission unit built in each AV device will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 2 and a flowchart shown in FIG.
[0103]
The automatic ID transmission control is started by interruption at an arbitrary interval such as a week or a month set in the timer. Incidentally, the timer is set by default when the user purchases the AV device. The ID transmission time can be arbitrarily selected by the user. For example, it is set at 3:00 every midnight on Wednesdays or at 3:30 midnight on the 20th of every month.
[0104]
The user registers the ID number of the purchased AV device and the user telephone number information in the security center 300 by means such as mail. As a result, the ID number of the AV device and the user telephone number information are written in the correspondence table in the database 302 of the security center 300 and registered in the device location confirmation system.
[0105]
When an interruption occurs in the CPU at the set time, first, the count of the retry counter is incremented by 1 (step ST1). The retry counter counts the number of retries when ID transmission is impossible, and the number of possible retries is set to N times.
[0106]
Next, in step ST2, with respect to the root device of the 1394 home network, whether or not there is a communication device (IRD) with a built-in modem in the 1394 home network, and if so, the address of the communication device is set. Inquire. If the address of the communication device is received from the root device via the 1394 bus, the address is stored in the RAM and the process proceeds to step ST3. If there is no communication device, the process jumps to step ST9.
[0107]
In step ST3, an inquiry is made as to whether the modem is connected to the communication line to the communication device having the above address through the 1394 bus. If there is a reply from the communication device that the modem is connected to the communication line through the 1394 bus, the process proceeds to step ST4, and if the modem is not connected to the communication line, the process jumps to step ST9.
[0108]
In step ST4, a device ID transmission request command formed based on the ID number stored in the ROM and the ID transmission destination telephone number of the security center 300 is transmitted to the IRD through the 1394 bus. A series of simple commands (for example, off-hook, auto dial, ID, on-hook) may be used instead of the device ID transmission request command.
[0109]
For the ID transmission destination telephone number, in order to eliminate the burden on the user, for example, a free dial telephone number starting with “0120” in Japan and “800” in the United States is desirable. Further, a unique ID may be assigned to each AV device model or manufacturer, and a telephone number may be assigned to each ID.
[0110]
Next, in step ST5, it is checked whether or not a transmission request has been made without any abnormality. If successful, the process proceeds to step ST6, and if not successful, the process jumps to step ST9.
[0111]
In step ST6, the retry counter is set to zero, and the process proceeds to step ST7. In step ST7, the notification command from the security center 300 is processed. That is, the security center 300 receives the ID, compares the user telephone number information corresponding to the ID with the outgoing telephone number information, and if the two do not match, the AV of the ID transmission source through the communication line, the communication device, and the 1394 bus. The above notification command is sent to the device.
[0112]
When the ID transmission source AV device receives the notification command from the security center 300 in step ST8, it indicates that the AV device is not installed at a predetermined position. It is possible to confirm the theft of AV equipment. If the theft is assumed, the police (110) is called again via the communication device. When the line is connected to the police, let them know, “Automatic voice from TV. The TV connected to this line is stolen. Please reverse detect.” It is informed that it is an automatic notification that continuously transmits a specific PB tone.
When the notification process in step ST8 ends, the automatic ID transmission program ends.
[0113]
In step ST9, if the count of the retry counter does not exceed the predetermined number N, the timer is set to 10 minutes and the process ends (step ST10). Then, an interrupt occurs after 10 minutes and starts from step ST1. Here, an ID transmission error message is transmitted through the 1394 bus so as to be superimposed on the screen of the television receiver TV.
[0114]
If the count of the retry counter exceeds “N” in step ST9, all functions of the own device are stopped (locked) except for manual ID transmission. For example, a signal other than a remote control button for manual ID transmission is ignored, or other than manual ID transmission is shaded on the menu to make selection impossible. Here, guidance for prompting manual ID transmission may be displayed on the TV screen or the like.
[0115]
In the embodiment of the device location confirmation system according to the present invention described above, the ID transmission destination is the security center. However, the ID is not necessarily limited to the security center. It may be a center that accepts billing information for pay broadcasting of a broadcasting company. In this way, since the IRD telephone line is originally connected to the broadcasting company, the line can be used efficiently.
[0116]
In the device location confirmation system, the 1394 home system includes only the IRD as the communication device. However, the 1394 home system may include a plurality of communication devices. In that case, one communication device is connected to the security center, and the address of this communication device is registered in the root device.
[0117]
When the AV device has a communication function, it is needless to say that the operation shown in FIG. 4 can be performed by itself without using a communication device such as an IRD.
[0118]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the device location confirmation system according to the present invention forms a 1394 home system by connecting all AV devices including at least one communication device in a home with a digital bus, Since it is configured to be connected to a security center or the like via a communication line, each AV device does not need to have a built-in communication device, and it is possible to manage AV devices with the following effects at a low cost simply by adding software. A system capable of confirming the location can be configured at low cost.
[0119]
(1) Even if an AV device is lost, for example, lost due to theft, etc., if it is connected to a communication line, the installation location or name can be known, and the use of persons other than the owner of the AV device is extremely limited. Thus, there is an effect that the location can be confirmed and managed so as to reduce the value of the AV device itself.
[0120]
(2) When a lost AV device is connected to a communication line and used, the installation location of the AV device can be specified immediately, and at the same time, the connected partner can be specified in some cases. .
[0121]
(3) Even when the user is out for a long time, since there is no periodic ID transmission, it is possible to confirm that the AV device has been lost during the absence.
(4) By making the ID transmission destination a free dial, the burden of the telephone charge of the ID transmission source can be eliminated.
[0122]
(5) Since the ID is usually transmitted during a time zone such as at night when the frequency of use of the telephone is low, it is possible to reduce the opportunity loss of the telephone call due to the congestion of the line.
(6) Although the system uses the outgoing telephone number notification service, the user is not required to have a contract for the outgoing telephone number notification service or to pay a fee.
[0123]
(7) Since the call for ID transmission is made by auto-dial, it is possible to avoid an input by which the user rejects the notification of the outgoing telephone number, such as 184.
(8) Even if the line to which the lost AV device is connected refuses the calling telephone number notification, the telephone number of the other party can be reversely detected if the loss is confirmed.
[0124]
(9) Even when the legitimate owner of the AV device rejects the calling telephone number notification, the effect except for the above (2) can be obtained only by the ID number.
In addition, when the reason for non-notification of the outgoing phone number is changed from “reject” to “out of area” or “no phone number”, it is detected that the location of the AV device has changed and is appropriate. Treatment can be given.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of a device location confirmation system according to the present invention.
2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the television receiver in FIG. 1. FIG.
3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the IRD of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an automatic ID transmission program included in each AV device.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection state with a communication line having an outgoing call notification function.
[Explanation of symbols]
1: antenna, 2: tuner, 3: intermediate frequency circuit, 4: video processing unit, 5: audio processing unit, 6: superimposed display processing unit, 7: display, 8: mixed sound processing unit, 9: speaker, 10: 1394 interface, 11, 12: decoder, 13, 14: D / A converter, 15: timer, 16: I / O circuit, 17-19: memory, 21: CPU, 22: data bus, 23, 26: I / O circuit, 24: VRAM, 25: display controller, 27: remote control signal decoder, 28: remote control, 30: satellite antenna, 31: IRD function unit, 32: 1394 interface, 33: NCU, 34: modem, 35: CPU , 36: data bus, 37, 38, 39: memory, 40, 41: I / O circuit, 42: timer, 100: 1394 home network 100, 200: telephone Line network, 201 and 301: telephone line, 300: security center, 302: database, 303: computer, 1394 Bus: IEEE1394 digital bus, 1394 Interface: IEEE1394 Interface

Claims (12)

A connection unit that is connected to a plurality of other AV devices via a digital bus and is capable of transmitting and receiving data by designating one of the plurality of other AV devices whose connection is automatically detected; An AV device including an ID transmission unit that transmits an ID number unique to the AV device to another AV device specified via
The ID transmission unit is connected to each other when communication devices having communication means capable of communicating with other external devices via communication lines are included as other AV devices whose connection is automatically detected. Requesting the communication device to transmit at least the ID number unique to the AV device to the other external device by the communication means;
An AV device characterized in that, when an ID number unique to the AV device is not transmitted from the communication device to the other external device, the main function of the AV device is locked.   2. The AV device according to claim 1, wherein the lock state is released when an ID number unique to the AV device is transmitted from the communication device. A plurality of AV devices each having a unique ID number are connected to each other via a digital bus, and connection means capable of transmitting and receiving data by designating one of the plurality of AV devices whose connection is automatically detected is provided. An AV device location confirmation / management device connected via a communication line to a communication device capable of transmitting the ID numbers unique to the plurality of AV devices connected to each other received by the connection device through the communication device. And
ID registration means for pre-registering the ID number unique to the AV device and the telephone number information of the user is provided, and telephone number information corresponding to the ID number registered in advance by the ID registration means And the destination telephone number information of the communication device to which the ID number unique to the AV device is sent to confirm and manage the location of the AV device. Confirmation / management device. The ID registration means is configured to check and manage the location of the AV device by checking the transmission history transmitted from the communication device for the AV device corresponding to the ID number registered in advance. The AV device location confirmation / management apparatus according to claim 3. A plurality of AV devices each having a unique ID number are connected to each other via a digital bus, and connection means capable of transmitting and receiving data by designating one of the plurality of AV devices whose connection is automatically detected is provided. An AV device location confirmation / management device connected via a communication line to a communication device capable of transmitting the ID numbers unique to the plurality of AV devices connected to each other received by the connection device through the communication device. And
An ID telephone information registration means for previously registering an ID number unique to the AV device and telephone number information of the ID number is provided, and an ID number sent from the communication device based on the registered ID number is provided. The telephone number information of the retrieved ID number is compared with the destination telephone number information of the communication device, the installation location of the AV device is changed, and the installation location is confirmed and managed. Feature AV equipment location confirmation / management device. The ID telephone information registration means confirms and manages the location of the AV device by checking the transmission history transmitted from the communication device for the AV device corresponding to the ID number registered in advance. 6. The AV device location confirmation / management apparatus according to claim 5, A connection unit that is connected to a plurality of other AV devices via a digital bus and is capable of transmitting and receiving data by designating one of the plurality of other AV devices whose connection is automatically detected; A location confirmation / management method for an AV device comprising an ID transmission unit that transmits an ID number unique to the AV device to another AV device specified via
A communication device having communication means capable of communicating via a communication line with an AV device location confirmation / management apparatus for confirming and managing the location of the AV device is designated as the other AV device, and the AV device is changed to the communication device. Request to send the ID number specific to the AV device to the AV device location confirmation / management device,
When the communication device does not transmit an ID number unique to the AV device to the AV device location confirmation / management apparatus, the main function of the AV device is locked. /Management method.   8. The AV device location confirmation / management method according to claim 7, wherein the lock state is released when the unique ID number is transmitted. When at least the requested ID number information unique to the plurality of AV devices is normally transmitted from the communication means of the communication device to the AV device location confirmation / management apparatus via the communication line,
The communication in which the telephone number information of the user registered in advance in association with the ID number in the ID registration means provided in the AV device location confirmation / management apparatus and the ID number unique to the AV device are sent 8. The AV device location confirmation / management method according to claim 7, wherein the location of the AV device is confirmed and managed by comparing with the destination telephone number information of the device. The ID registration means is configured to check and manage the location of the AV device by checking the transmission history transmitted from the communication device for the AV device corresponding to the ID number registered in advance. The AV device location confirmation / management method according to claim 9. A connection unit that is connected to a plurality of other AV devices via a digital bus and is capable of transmitting and receiving data by designating one of the plurality of other AV devices whose connection is automatically detected; A location confirmation / management method for an AV device comprising an ID transmission unit that transmits an ID number unique to the AV device to another AV device specified via
A communication device having communication means capable of communicating via a communication line with an AV device location confirmation / management apparatus for confirming and managing the location of the AV device is designated as the other AV device, and the AV device is changed to the communication device. Request to send the ID number specific to the AV device to the AV device location confirmation / management device,
Sending at least the ID number information unique to the AV device requested to be transmitted from the communication means of the communication device to the AV device location confirmation / management apparatus via the communication line;
The AV device location confirmation / management apparatus is provided with ID phone information registration means for pre-registering the ID number unique to the AV device and telephone number information of the ID number, and is registered in the ID phone information registration means. Comparing the phone number information of the ID number retrieved from the ID number sent from the communication device based on the ID number with the destination phone number information of the communication device, and changing the installation location of the AV device; and A method for confirming / managing the location of AV equipment, characterized in that the installed location is confirmed and managed. The ID telephone information registration means checks the transmission history transmitted and received from the communication device for the AV device corresponding to the ID number registered in advance, and confirms and manages the location of the AV device. 12. The method for confirming / managing the location of an AV device according to claim 11.

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