JP3941210B2 - Information supply method, electronic program guide transmission device, reception device, and reception method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information supply method relating to broadcast waves and a receiving device for receiving broadcast waves.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, a system for digitizing and transmitting a television broadcast signal (broadcast wave) via an artificial satellite such as a broadcast satellite or a communication satellite and receiving it in each home is operated. In this system, for example, it is possible to secure a large number of channels, so it is possible to broadcast an extremely large number of programs.
In such a system, since the number of programs that can be transmitted increases, an electronic program guide (EPG: Electronic Program Guide) for selecting a desired program is transmitted together with the program, and is displayed on the monitor device. The (viewer) can select a desired program using the displayed electronic program guide. A user can quickly and appropriately grasp and select a desired program according to a displayed electronic program guide using a GUI (Graphical User Interface) on a display.
[0003]
As a system for transmitting such broadcast waves, there are supply forms such as satellite broadcast waves using broadcast satellites and communication satellites, CATV (cable television) broadcast waves, and the like.
Incidentally, for example, an electronic program guide (EPG) called DVB-SI (Digital Video Broadcasting Service Information) has been proposed. Such an EPG includes only network type, satellite repeater (transponder), and service field information as network information.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
On the other hand, the terrestrial EPG has a route of network type, series, service, and repeater as network information. As described above, the EPG network information using the satellite broadcast wave and the EPG network information using the terrestrial wave are not exactly the same.
[0005]
EPG such as DVB-SI is intended for digital satellite broadcasting, and the terrestrial wave is currently analog broadcasting. However, the demand for EPG is also expected to increase in analog broadcasting. This is because an increase in the number of broadcast programs, an increase in the number of transmission channels, an increase in the number of series or network, and the like are expected. In the future, even if a network that is broadcast by analog broadcasting in the future is digitized, the network form may remain as it is.
Therefore, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and when sending an electronic program guide related to broadcast waves from the broadcast content supply source to the broadcast content receiving side, it reliably obtains the relevant information from which the broadcast waves are sent to the area. It is an object of the present invention to provide a broadcast wave information supply method capable of obtaining a suitable electronic program guide and a receiving apparatus for receiving the broadcast wave.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the present invention, the above object is to provide an electronic program guide,PredeterminedSourceReceived fromWhen sending to the other party, include repeaterMuOut facilities andRegions that can be viewed by the receiverDescribed the relationshipFirstTable,A second table describing the relationship between the delivery facility including the repeater and the supply source,This is achieved by an information supply method regarding broadcast waves, which is included in the electronic program guide data. In the present invention, the electronic program guide isPredeterminedSourceReceived fromWhen sending to the other party, include repeaterMuOut facilities andRegions that can be viewed by the receiverDescribed the relationshipFirstTable,The second table describing the relationship between the transmission facility including the repeater and the supply source is stored in the electronic program guide data.Included. ThisOn the receiving side, the transmission facility including the repeater in the viewable area on the receiving side is confirmed by using these tables added to the electronic program guide.Including repeatersMuFacilityAnd companionThe relationship with the supply source can be clearly identified by a table.
[0007]
  In the present invention, it is preferable that the electronic program guide data is transmitted to the receiving side using any one of terrestrial broadcasting, satellite broadcasting using a broadcasting satellite or a communication satellite, and cable television. Thereby, the first table and the second table can be supplied from a plurality of supply sources to the receiving side.
[0008]
  In the present invention, the electronic program guide data further includes information on at least one of a transmission frequency and a transmission channel number of the supply source of the second table. Thereby, the related information from which the broadcast wave is transmitted can be clarified to the receiving side by the table. In the present invention, it is more preferable that the table further includes information indicating the location of the broadcast wave transmission facility including the broadcast wave repeater. Can be obtained.
[0009]
  In the present invention, the electronic program guide data further includes a third table describing at least a relationship between the supply source and the name of the supply source. As a result, if the table is viewed, the receiving side can confirm the relationship between the supply source and the name, and can obtain more information on the broadcast wave.
[0010]
  According to the present invention, the present invention generates electronic program guide data, and includes a first table describing a relationship between a transmission facility including a repeater and an area that can be viewed by a reception side, and a transmission including a repeater. Generating means for generating a second table describing the relationship between the facility and the supply source; and sending means for sending the first table and the second table together with the electronic program guide data to the receiving side. This is achieved by a featured electronic program guide sending device. As a result, the reception side confirms the transmission facility including the repeater in the viewable area of the reception side by using these tables added to the electronic program guide, and further includes the transmission facility and the supply source including the repeater. Can be clearly seen by the table.
[0011]
According to the present invention, the present invention provides a first table describing a relationship between a transmission facility including a repeater and an area that can be viewed by a reception side, a transmission facility and a supply including a repeater, together with electronic program guide data. Receiving means for receiving the second table describing the relationship with the source from a predetermined supply source, input means for inputting information for specifying the receiving area on the receiving side, and the viewing area input from the input means A selection means for selecting an available delivery facility from the first table based on the information for identifying the supply facility, a supply source corresponding to the delivery facility selected by the selection means is read from the second table, and the read supply source And a display data generating means for generating display data including the electronic program guide data. As a result, the transmission facility including the repeater in the receiving-viewable area is confirmed by these tables added to the electronic program guide, and the relationship between the transmission facility including the repeater and the supply source is further set. Can clearly know. If the electronic program guide that is in the viewable area is displayed, the receiving side can use the accurate electronic program guide in the viewable area.
[0012]
  According to the present invention, the present invention provides a first table describing a relationship between a transmission facility including a repeater and an area that can be viewed by a reception side, a transmission facility and a supply including a repeater, together with electronic program guide data. Based on the step of receiving the second table describing the relationship with the source from the predetermined supply source, the step of receiving the input of the information specifying the viewing area on the receiving side, and the information specifying the input viewing area Selecting a transmission facility that can be used from the first table, reading a supply source corresponding to the selected transmission facility from the second table, and displaying display data including electronic program guide data of the read supply source And the step of generating. As a result, the transmission facility including the repeater in the receiving-viewable area is confirmed by these tables added to the electronic program guide, and the relationship between the transmission facility including the repeater and the supply source is further set. Can clearly know.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Note that the embodiments described below are preferred specific examples of the present invention, and thus various technically preferable limitations are given. However, the scope of the present invention is particularly limited in the following description. Unless otherwise stated, the present invention is not limited to these forms.
[0018]
FIG. 1 shows an example of a broadcast wave broadcast form to which the information supply method related to broadcast waves of the present invention and a receiving apparatus for receiving broadcast waves are applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the broadcasting form of FIG.
FIG. 1 shows an example of terrestrial broadcasting. However, in terrestrial broadcasting, radio waves cannot be transmitted from one place and received anywhere. This is due to the straightness of the radio waves, and the radio waves do not reach if there are obstacles such as mountains on the way. The surface of the earth is a sphere, and the farther away, the more the radio wave will not reach because it is disturbed by the earth. Another reason why the radio wave does not reach is that the radio wave attenuates as the distance increases.
For this purpose, broadcast towers are provided in each region to transmit radio waves. For areas where radio waves still do not reach, a repeater is installed in a place with a good view. For this reason, the broadcast stations and frequencies that can be received vary from region to region.
[0019]
In FIG. 1, for example, three broadcast stations (broadcast content supply sources) A, B, and C can supply broadcast content to the broadcast tower T. Repeaters 7 and 8 are set in the mountains M1 and M2, respectively. For the broadcast tower T, viewing areas AR1, AR2, AR3, AR4 are displayed as an example.
One broadcast tower T transmits the broadcast waves BW (radio waves) of the plurality of broadcast stations A, B, C described above directly to the viewing area AR1 and to the repeaters 7, 8. Since the viewing area AR1 is a place where the broadcast tower T can be seen, the antenna AT of the viewing area AR1 can receive the broadcast wave BW (radio wave) from the broadcast tower T.
[0020]
On the other hand, the viewing areas AR2, AR3, and AR4 are blocked by the mountains M1 and M2 with respect to the broadcast tower T, so that the broadcast tower T is not directly visible. Therefore, the antenna AT of the viewing area AR2 receives the broadcast wave BW of the broadcast tower T via the repeater 7. The viewing areas AR3 and AR4 receive the broadcast wave BW via the repeater 8. The viewing area AR3 can be received from either the repeater 7 or the repeater 8. In any case, each viewing area AR2 to AR4 can receive broadcast waves via the nearest repeater. In the case of the viewing area AR3, since it is substantially the same distance from the repeaters 7 and 8, it is only necessary to receive a broadcast wave from one of the repeaters.
[0021]
FIG. 3 shows an example in which a plurality of broadcast towers T are provided. One broadcast tower T can receive broadcast waves from a plurality of broadcast stations A, B, and C, and another broadcast tower T can broadcast. Broadcast waves from stations D, E, and F are received. One broadcast tower T transmits the broadcast wave BW directly to the repeaters 7 and 8 and the viewer 1 in the viewing area AR1.
Another broadcast tower T transmits a broadcast wave BW to the repeaters 9 and 10. The repeater 7 transmits the broadcast wave BW to the viewers 2 and 3 in the viewing area AR2 and the viewer 4 in the viewing area AR3. The repeater 8 transmits a broadcast wave BW to the viewer 4 in the viewing area AR3 and the viewers 5 and 6 in the viewing area AR4. The repeater 9 transmits the broadcast wave BW to the viewers 5 and 6 and the viewer 6A in the viewing area AR5. The repeater 10 transmits the broadcast wave BW to the viewer 6A and the viewers 6B and 6C in the viewing area AR6.
[0022]
FIG. 4 is an example of a table describing the relationship between the broadcast tower, the repeater, and the broadcast station.
Broadcast towers T1 and T2 illustrated in FIG. 4 are broadcast wave transmission facilities, and a broadcast station with a broadcast station number is a broadcast content supply source.
Broadcast towers T1 and T2, which are broadcast wave transmission facilities, are shown corresponding to different broadcast towers T3 or a plurality of repeaters 7 and 8, respectively. In the broadcast tower T3 and the repeaters 7 and 8, the respective installation locations 12, 13, and 14 are described.
[0023]
The numbers of broadcast stations (broadcast content supply sources) are described in correspondence with the broadcast tower T3 or the repeaters 7 and 8 corresponding to the broadcast tower T1. For example, broadcasting stations A, B, and C correspond to the broadcasting tower T3, broadcasting stations A, B, and C correspond to the repeater 7, and the like. Each broadcast station A, B, C is provided with a corresponding list 15 of transmission channel numbers. For example, broadcast station A corresponds to broadcast channel number “30”, broadcast station B corresponds to broadcast channel number “32”, and broadcast station C corresponds to broadcast channel number “34”. This is also described in the broadcasting tower T2.
[0024]
In the table 20 formed in such a description system, a list 16 of transmission frequencies of each broadcasting station is described corresponding to each broadcasting station.
This table 20 is included in an electronic program guide (EPG) relating to broadcast waves. The table 20 includes broadcast stations A, B, and C (broadcast content supply sources) as shown in FIG. Are preferably broadcast towers T1, T2,... Which are broadcast wave transmission facilities, and broadcast stations A, B, C, etc., which are broadcast content supply sources. The relationship is described.
In addition, in this table 20, the transmission frequency described in the transmission frequency list 16 of the broadcasting stations A, B, C.. And at least one of the transmitted channel numbers.
[0025]
Further, the EPG table 20 preferably further includes information indicating the locations 12, 13, 14 and the like of broadcast wave transmission facilities including broadcast wave repeaters.
As shown in FIG. 6, the table 20 includes a broadcast tower that is a broadcast wave transmission facility including a broadcast wave repeater, and areas that can be viewed by the broadcast content receiving side (for example, viewing areas AR1, AR2,... ) May be included.
In any case, the table 20 in FIG. 4 is included in the electronic program guide EPG, and includes items such as the broadcasting base number, repeater number, repeater location, broadcast station number, transmission channel number, and transmission frequency of the broadcast tower. It is possible to combine at least two.
[0026]
By the way, for example, in FIG. 4, there are a large number of broadcasting station numbers, and the same broadcasting station is described many times in the table 20 of FIG. For example, broadcast stations A, B, and C are repeatedly provided as information. If the table 20 is directly described in the electronic program guide EPG in this way, the amount of information increases considerably, or the structure of the table 20 becomes complicated.
[0027]
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, it is desirable to send the detailed information of the broadcast station so that the table 21 of FIG. 5 is included in the electronic program guide EPG.
In FIG. 5, a table 21 includes a broadcast station number list 22, a broadcast station name list 23, a series list 24, a location list 25, a type list 26, and other lists 27.
In the broadcast station number list 22, broadcast stations A, B, C, D,... Are arranged in order, and the broadcast station name list 23 describes the corresponding names. The network broadcast series to which the broadcasting stations A, B... Belong is written in the series list 24. In addition, the location list 25 describes the location of each broadcasting station, and the type list 26 describes information necessary for reception other than the frequency such as the polarization plane of the radio wave and the radio wave format (modulation method).
[0028]
In this way, it is possible to surely know the name, network broadcast series, or location information related to each broadcasting station even if the number of viewers and broadcasting stations in FIGS. 2 and 3 is large. 4 and 5, in order for the viewer to obtain information such as the broadcasting station and transmission channel number, the number of the repeater (broadcast tower or repeater) is received in advance in the receiver used by the viewer. You need to know if you can. That is, it is necessary to know which repeater or broadcasting tower corresponds to the viewing area shown in FIG. 2 or 3 where the viewer is present. It is the table 28 in FIG. 6 that helps. This table 28 is also included in the electronic program guide EPG, and includes a viewing area number list 29, a repeater number list 30, an area name list 31, and a zip code list 32.
Instead of the postal code list 32, a telephone number list 33 may be provided.
[0029]
In the viewing area number list 29, viewing areas AR1,. In the repeater number list 30, broadcast towers, repeaters 7, 8 and the like are arranged. In the area name list 31, addresses of each viewing area are described. In the postal code list 32, the postal code corresponding to the address described in the area name list 31 is described. In the telephone number list described at the same time as or in place of the postal code list 32, the telephone number corresponding to the area name can also be described, and the telephone number of the viewer can be described.
Thereby, the viewer (user) can easily select the viewing area to which the viewer belongs by confirming the area name, postal code or telephone number, and the viewing area where the viewer (user) is located. Which broadcast tower or repeater is compatible with can be easily found by looking at the repeater number list 30.
[0030]
By viewing the table 20 shown in FIG. 4, the table 21 shown in FIG. 5, and the table 28 shown in FIG. 6 from the electronic program guide EPG, the viewer can easily know information about various broadcasts. it can.
[0031]
Next, when the tables 20, 21, and 28 shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 are mounted on the terrestrial broadcast, for example, the terrestrial broadcast system of FIG. 1 can be used. Broadcast stations A, B, C, etc., which are broadcast content supply sources, send out tables 20, 21, and 28 along the same propagation path together with images and sounds. In other words, the broadcasting stations A, B, and C use the broadcasting tower T to transmit the broadcast wave BW to the viewing area AR1, the repeater 7, and the repeater 8. The broadcast wave BW includes content information of a broadcast program and an electronic program guide EPG, and the electronic program guide EPG includes tables 20, 21, and 28, for example. As described above, in the case of sending on the same propagation path, the electronic program guide EPG is sent out on the broadcast wave BW at a frequency different from that of image and sound information. Alternatively, the electronic program guide EPG can be inserted into the blanking section of the concave mat of the image, or can be mounted on a subcarrier used in FM (frequency modulation) multiplexing or audio multiplexing.
When video and audio are transmitted by digital broadcast waves, the electronic program guide EPG (including tables 20, 21, and 28) shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 is inserted into the stream.
[0032]
7 and 8 show specific examples of broadcast wave transmission devices. The broadcast wave transmitting device 40 in FIG. 7 is installed in, for example, the broadcasting stations A, B, and C in FIG. The broadcast wave transmission device 40 is configured to transmit the electronic program guide EPG (including tables 20, 21, and 28) of FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 at different frequencies when digitally transmitting video and audio. It is.
In FIG. 7, the input device 41 receives necessary data and stores it in the database 42. The sending table generating unit 43 reads data sent from the database 42 to create an electronic program guide EPG, and in the electronic program guide EPG, the table 20 in FIG. 4, the table 21 in FIG. 5, and the table in FIG. A table suitable for the transmission format suitable for 28 etc. is created. The created tables 20, 21, 28 enter the modulator 44, are amplified at high frequency power by the high frequency power amplifier 45, are amplified to a transmission output sufficient for broadcasting, and are sent to the antenna 46.
On the other hand, the video / audio modulated high frequency is also sent to the antenna 46, and the EPG information including the table amplified by the high frequency power and the video and audio information are sent from the antenna 46.
[0033]
8 differs from the broadcast wave transmission device 40 of FIG. 7 in that the broadcast wave transmission device 50 of FIG. 8 sends EPG information including a table together with digitized video and audio.
Data is input from the input device 51 of FIG. 8 and stored in the database 52. The transmission table generation unit 53 reads data from the database 52, creates an electronic program guide EPG, and tables suitable for the transmission format, such as the table 20 in FIG. 4, the table 21 in FIG. 5, the table 28 in FIG. Is generated. Each generated table is packetized by the packetizer 53A and sent to the multiplexer 53B.
On the other hand, since the packetized digital video / audio signal is input to the multiplexer 53B, the multiplexer 53B sends the EPG information including the packetized table and the digital video / audio signal to the modulator 54 for modulation. After being amplified to a transmission output sufficient for broadcasting by the high-frequency power amplifier 55 later, it is transmitted from the antenna 46.
[0034]
9 and 10 show examples of broadcast wave receivers. FIG. 9 shows an example of a broadcast wave receiver used by the viewer of FIG. 2 in the terrestrial broadcast system of FIG. 1, for example. This broadcast wave receiver 60 can be used for analog broadcasting, for example. The receiving device 60 has the following structure. A broadcast wave BW (radio wave) received by the antenna 61 is sent to the tuner 62. The broadcast wave BW that enters from the antenna 61 is selected by the tuner 62 at a specific frequency according to an instruction from the host processor 63. When acquiring the tables 20, 21, and 28 of FIGS. 4 to 6, the tuner 62 selects a frequency at which the table exists from the broadcast wave BW.
The selected radio wave from the tuner 62 enters the demodulator 64 and is selected after being demodulated. The video signal 66 is extracted by the video signal extractor 65, passes through the superimposition unit 67 on the screen display, and the video signal. It becomes VS.
The signal from the demodulator 64 is converted into an audio signal AS by the audio demodulator 68.
The video signal VS and the audio signal AS are sent to the television receiver 69, for example. The audio signal AS is sent to an audio signal regenerator 70 such as a radio.
[0035]
On the other hand, the descrambler 71 performs descrambling processing on the signals related to the tables 20, 21, and 28 in FIGS. Become a digital signal. Thereafter, the digital signal related to the table is demodulated by the demultiplexer 72 and then the signal of the necessary table is demodulated and sent to the host processor 63 and the EPG processor 73.
The host processor 63 can send processing signals to the tuner 62, descrambler unit 71, demultiplexer 72 and EPG processing processor 73. The host processor 63 is connected to an input unit 74 for inputting a postal code or a telephone number.
Digital signals relating to the table output from the demultiplexer 72 are sent to the computer 74A, and the computer 74A uses the printer 75 to print out the tables 20, 21, and 28 as shown in FIGS. These tables can be displayed on the monitor 76.
[0036]
The contents of the digital signal relating to the table are analyzed by the host processor 63 to create a display digital signal used for music selection, EPG display, and the like. This digital signal for display is sent from the host processor 63 to the screen display superimposing unit 67 via the EPG processor 73.
The screen display superimposing unit 67 superimposes the video signal 66 from the video signal extracting unit and the digital signal used for music selection and EPG display, for example, to form the video signal VS to form a television receiver 69. Send to. On the screen of the television receiver, based on the video signal VS, for example, the table 20 in FIG. 4, the table 21 in FIG. 5 or the table 28 in FIG. 6 is superimposed on the currently received video. Can be displayed.
[0037]
FIG. 10 shows another digital broadcast wave receiving device 80, unlike the case of FIG. This digital broadcast wave receiver 80 selects a broadcast wave BW received by the antenna 81 at a tuner 83 of the front end unit 82 at a specific frequency according to a command from the host processor 63. The radio wave selected by the tuner 83 is demodulated by the demodulator 84. When acquiring the table, the tuner 83 selects the frequency at which the table exists.
After the video signal, the audio signal, and the table signal are demodulated by the demodulator 84, they enter the descrambler unit 86 of the transport unit 85 to become a digital signal and enter the demultiplexer 87. The tuner 83, the descrambler unit 86, and the demultiplexer 87 operate according to commands from the host processor 63.
[0038]
A digital signal related to the video from the demultiplexer 87 is decoded by a video decoder 89 of an MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) decoding unit 88 and then an NTSC (National Television System Committee) encoder 90. The video signal VS is encoded and supplied to the television receiver.
The digital signal relating to the sound from the demultiplexer 87 is decoded by the audio decoder 91 and then digital / analog converted by the D / A converter 92 to be supplied to the television receiver 69 as an audio output AS.
The digital signal relating to the table is supplied to the computer 74A, and the computer 74A can print out the tables 20, 21, 28 and the like using the printer 75 and can also display them on the monitor 76.
The host processor 63 has a postal code or telephone number input unit 74.
[0039]
The digital signal relating to the table enters the EPG processor 93 of the MPEG decoding unit 88, the contents of which are analyzed by the host processor 63, and converted into a digital signal used for music selection, EPG display, etc., and sent to the NTSC encoder 90. . The NTSC encoder 90 can superimpose the digital signal related to the video on the video decoder 89 side and the digital signal related to the table from the EPG processor 93 and output it as the video output VS.
[0040]
9 and 10, a zip code or telephone number input unit 74 is set in the host processor 93.
The viewer (user) inputs the zip code of the place where the viewer lives from the zip code or telephone number input unit 74 while referring to the table 28 shown in FIG. By inputting the telephone number, the host processor 63 causes the receiving device 60 or 80 itself to recognize in which viewing area the broadcast wave receiving device 60 or 80 is installed. For example, when the viewer simply inputs the postal code or telephone number corresponding to the viewing area AR1 in the table 28 of FIG. Can be recognized automatically.
Alternatively, by inserting the IC card 79 and inputting a certain number or the like to the host processor 63, it may be instructed to the receiving device where it is set.
That is, since the receiving device 60 or 80 can know which broadcast tower or repeater is used from the table 28 suitable for the viewing area in FIG. 6, refer to the table 21 in FIG. 5 and the table 20 in FIG. However, the name of the broadcasting station that can be received by the receiver currently used by the viewer, the number of transmission channel numbers, the number of transmission frequencies, and the address of the broadcast tower or repeater are automatically set in the receiver. .
[0041]
11 differs from FIG. 1 in that not only terrestrial broadcasts but also broadcast stations A, B, and C supply broadcast waves BW including broadcast contents to the broadcast tower T and parabolic antenna PA. The broadcast tower T or the parabolic antenna PA transmits the broadcast wave BW. The broadcast wave BW transmitted by the parabolic antenna PA is relayed by the transponder 102 of the broadcast satellite 101, for example, with the parabolic antenna PA1 of the viewing area AR10 and the viewing. A broadcast wave BW can be sent to the parabolic antenna PA1 in the area AR11.
On the other hand, the broadcast wave BW transmitted from the broadcast tower T can be received by the antennas 61 and 81 of the viewing areas AR10 and AR11.
In this way, the broadcast wave BW transmitted from the parabolic antenna PA can be received by the parabolic antenna PA1 of each home via the transponder 101. The broadcast wave BW transmitted from the broadcast tower T can be transmitted directly to the antennas 61 and 81 of the viewing area AR10 or can be transmitted to the antennas 61 and 81 of the viewing area AR11 via the repeater 8 of the mountain M1. . In this case, the sending devices 40 and 50 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 can be used as the sending device.
[0042]
In the case of sending by the terrestrial wave shown in FIG. 1, the information must be reliably transmitted even through the repeater. However, in the case of transmission using an analog repeater, if many stages are passed through the repeater, distortion may gradually increase and information may be lost. Even when a television receiver is preset, it must be able to receive radio waves, but this must be received until the nearest radio wave transmission location (broadcast tower or repeater) is known. I can't.
When this point broadcasting satellite or the like is used, the same broadcast wave (radio wave) can be reliably received at any point, so that such a situation is eliminated.
[0043]
FIG. 12 shows an example of a receiving device 160 used in the digitized broadcast receiving system of FIG. In addition to the broadcast wave receiver 60 shown in FIG. 9, the receiver 160 receives a parabolic antenna PA1 for receiving a broadcast wave BW from the transponder 102 of the broadcast satellite 101, a frequency converter 111, and a front end unit. 112 has been added. That is, the broadcast wave BW relayed through the transponder 102 is received by the parabolic antenna PA 1, subjected to frequency conversion by the frequency converter 111, and enters the carrier selection unit 113 of the front end unit 112. In carrier selection section 113, necessary carriers are selected and sent to demodulation section 114. The demodulated signal is sent from the demodulating unit 114 to the descrambler unit 71 and the tuner 62. Since the subsequent processing is almost the same as the processing of FIG. 9 for the broadcast wave received by the tuner 62, the description thereof is incorporated.
[0044]
As described above, the present invention can also be applied by using a terrestrial wave or a satellite broadcast wave by a broadcast satellite, or using a CATV broadcast wave or the like.
[0045]
For example, in FIG. 9, FIG. 10, FIG. 12, and FIG. 13, when the viewer inputs a telephone number or zip code from the input unit 74 to the host processor 63, the table in the electronic program guide EPG suitable for the viewing area. 21 and 20 can be made. In this case, by inputting a telephone number or a postal code, referring to FIG. 6, the viewing area and which repeater is used can be easily understood, and the name of the viewing area can also be confirmed.
In addition, by inputting a postal code or a telephone number, the receiver can be automatically initialized. That is, it is possible to automatically initialize with respect to the receiving device where the receiving device is installed. Originally, a television receiver requires an operation to match a frequency that can be viewed by a user and a position number, and this can be automatically initialized. In addition to this, when an EPG is entered, it is necessary to match which position number corresponds to which broadcast station's EPG, but these can be performed automatically.
[0046]
In the embodiment of the present invention, when an electronic program guide related to broadcast waves is sent from the broadcast content supply source to the broadcast content reception side, the relationship between the broadcast wave transmission facility including the broadcast wave repeater and the broadcast content supply source Is included in the electronic program guide regarding broadcast waves.
Thereby, in the electronic program guide, the broadcast content receiving side can clearly know the relationship between the broadcast wave transmission facility including the broadcast wave repeater and the broadcast content supply source from the table.
[0047]
In the embodiment of the present invention, preferably, the table further includes at least one of the transmission frequency and the transmission channel number of the broadcast content supply source. It can be made clear to the broadcast content receiver on the table.
In the embodiment of the present invention, preferably, the table further includes information indicating the location of the broadcast wave transmission facility including the broadcast wave repeater. Information about waves can be obtained.
[0048]
In the embodiment of the present invention, when an electronic program guide related to broadcast waves is sent from the broadcast content supply source to the broadcast content reception side, a table including at least one of the transmission frequency and the transmission channel number of the broadcast content supply source is provided. Included in the electronic program guide on broadcast waves.
Thereby, since at least one of the transmission frequency and the transmission channel number of the broadcast content supply source can be confirmed on the table by the broadcast content receiving side, information on the broadcast wave can be obtained more reliably.
[0049]
In the embodiment of the present invention, when an electronic program guide related to broadcast waves is sent from the broadcast content supply source to the broadcast content receiving side, the broadcast wave transmission facility including the broadcast wave repeater and the broadcast content receiving side can be viewed. A table including relationships with regions is included in the electronic program guide regarding broadcast waves.
Thereby, it is possible to reliably obtain information on the relationship between the broadcast wave transmission facility including the broadcast wave repeater and the area where the broadcast content receiving side can view.
In the embodiment of the present invention, preferably, the table further includes information indicating the location of the broadcast wave transmission facility including the broadcast wave repeater, so that the information regarding the broadcast wave can be known in more detail.
[0050]
In the embodiment of the present invention, when an electronic program guide related to broadcast waves is sent from the broadcast content supply source to the broadcast content reception side, the relationship between the broadcast wave transmission facility including the broadcast wave repeater and the broadcast content supply source is When receiving the electronic program guide related to the broadcast wave with the described table, the reception channel number determined from the broadcast content supply source is set in the reception device. As a result, the receiving apparatus can automatically set a transmission channel number suitable for the broadcast content supply source.
In the embodiment of the present invention, preferably, if an electronic program guide that is in a viewable area is displayed, the broadcast content receiving side uses an accurate electronic program guide that is in the viewable area. be able to.
[0051]
In the embodiment of the present invention, when an electronic program guide related to broadcast waves is sent from the broadcast content supply source to the broadcast content reception side, a table including at least one of the transmission frequency and the transmission channel number of the broadcast content supply source is provided. In addition, when an electronic program guide relating to broadcast waves is received and the electronic program guide is received, a transmission channel number is set in the receiving device.
Thereby, the receiving apparatus can automatically set the transmission channel number.
In the embodiment of the present invention, preferably, an electronic program guide suitable for the viewable area can be displayed, so that the broadcast content receiving side views the accurate electronic program guide suitable for the viewable area. Can do.
[0052]
In an embodiment of the present invention, when an electronic program guide relating to broadcast waves is sent from a broadcast content supply source to a broadcast content reception side, a broadcast wave transmission facility including a broadcast wave repeater and an area where the broadcast content reception side can view When a table including the relationship with the broadcast wave is included in the electronic program guide related to the broadcast wave and the electronic program guide is received, a transmission channel number determined from the broadcast wave transmission facility including the broadcast wave repeater is set in the receiving device. . Thereby, the transmission channel number can be automatically set.
In the embodiment of the present invention, preferably, if an electronic program guide that is in a viewable area is displayed, the broadcast content receiving side can view an accurate electronic program guide in the viewable area. Can do.
[0053]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when sending an electronic program guide related to broadcast waves from the broadcast content supply source to the broadcast content receiving side, it is possible to reliably obtain related information from which the broadcast waves are sent, An electronic program guide suitable for the region can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a terrestrial broadcast system to which an information supply method related to broadcast waves and a receiving device that receives broadcast waves can be applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the system of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another example of terrestrial broadcasting.
FIG. 4 is a table including broadcast wave transmission facilities, repeater numbers, repeater locations, broadcast station numbers, transmission channel numbers, transmission frequency lists, and the like included in the electronic program guide. The figure which shows an example.
FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of a table having a broadcast station number, a broadcast station name, a series, and the like included in an electronic program guide.
FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of a table including a viewing area number, a repeater number, an area name, a zip code, a telephone number and the like included in an electronic program guide.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a broadcast wave transmission device.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of a broadcast wave transmission device.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a broadcast wave receiver.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of a broadcast wave receiver.
FIG. 11 is a system diagram showing an example in which terrestrial broadcasting and satellite broadcasting are used in combination.
12 is a diagram showing an example of a broadcast wave receiving device applied to the system of FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
7, 8 ... repeater, 20, 21, 28 ... table, 40, 50 ... broadcast wave transmission device, 60, 160, 80, 180 ... broadcast wave reception device, 61, 81 ... Antenna, AR1, AR2, AR3, AR4 ... Viewing area, PA, PA1 ... Parabolic antenna, T, T1, T2 ... Broadcast tower (broadcast wave transmission facility)

Claims (15)

When sending electronic program guide data from a given source to the receiving side,
A first table in which the recipient and delivery facilities including repeater describing the relationship between the possible local watch, the second table describing the relation between the delivery facility and the source, including the repeater, the Included in the electronic program guide data,
An information supply method characterized by the above. Sending the electronic program guide data to the receiving side using either terrestrial broadcasting, satellite broadcasting using a broadcasting satellite or communication satellite, or cable television;
The information supply method according to claim 1. The electronic program guide data further includes information on at least one of a transmission frequency and a transmission channel number of the source of the second table ,
The information supply method according to claim 1 or 2 . The electronic program guide data further includes a third table that describes at least a relationship between the source and the name of the source.
The information supply method according to claim 1 or 2. The electronic table guide data is generated, the first table describing the relationship between the transmission facility including the repeater and the area that can be viewed by the reception side, and the relationship between the transmission facility including the repeater and the supply source is described. Generating means for generating a second table;
Sending means for sending the first table and the second table together with the electronic program guide data to the receiving side;
An electronic program guide sending device comprising: The generating means generates at least one information of a transmission frequency and a transmission channel number of the supply source of the second table,
The sending means sends information including at least one of a transmission frequency and a transmission channel number of the supply source further included in the electronic program guide data.
The electronic program guide sending device according to claim 5. The generating means creates a third table describing at least the relationship between the supply source and the name of the supply source,
The sending means sends a third table describing the relationship between the supply source and the name of the supply source together with the electronic program guide data to the receiving side;
The electronic program guide sending device according to claim 5. With an electronic program guide data, the described in the first table the receiving and delivery facilities including repeater describing the relationship between the possible local view, the relationship between the delivery facility and sources including the repeater 2 Receiving means for receiving the table from a predetermined source;
Input means for inputting information for identifying the viewing area on the receiving side
When,
Selection means for selecting an available transmission facility from the first table based on information for identifying the viewing area input from the input means;
Display data generating means for reading a supply source corresponding to the delivery facility selected by the selection means from the second table and generating display data including electronic program guide data of the read supply source;
Receiving device, characterized in that it comprises a. The display data of the read electronic program guide data of the supply source includes a first table including a transmission facility including the repeater corresponding to the viewing area, and the repeater of the first table. Including a second table containing sources corresponding to the delivery facility;
The receiving device according to claim 8 . The receiving means further receives at least one information of a transmission frequency and a transmission channel number of the supply source of the second table together with the electronic program guide data transmitted by the supply source ,
The display data generating means, the least even one information transmission frequency and the transmission channel number of the source included in the display data including the electronic program guide data,
The receiving device according to claim 8 . The receiving means further receives a third table describing at least a relationship between the supply source and the name of the supply source, together with the electronic program guide data transmitted by the supply source,
The display data generation means includes a third table describing a relationship between the supply source and the name of the supply source in display data including the electronic program guide data.
The receiving device according to claim 8 . A first table describing the relationship between the transmission facility including the repeater and the area that can be viewed by the receiving side, as well as the electronic program guide data, and a second table describing the relationship between the transmission facility including the relay and the supply source Receiving a table from a predetermined source;
Receiving an input of information for specifying the receiving side viewing area;
Selecting an available sending facility from the first table based on the input information identifying the viewing area;
Reading a supply source corresponding to the selected delivery facility from the second table, and generating display data including electronic program guide data of the read supply source;
A receiving method comprising: The display data of the electronic program guide data of the read source includes a first table including a transmission facility including the repeater corresponding to the viewing area, and a transmission including the repeater of the first table. A second table containing sources corresponding to the facility is included,
The receiving method according to claim 12. Along with the electronic program guide data sent by the supply source, further receives at least one information of a transmission frequency and a transmission channel number of the supply source of the second table,
Including at least one information of a transmission frequency and a transmission channel number of the supply source in display data including the electronic program guide data;
The receiving method according to claim 12. Along with the electronic program guide data transmitted by the supply source, further receives at least a third table describing a relationship between the supply source and the name of the supply source,
Including a third table describing a relationship between the supply source and the name of the supply source in display data including the electronic program guide data;
The receiving method according to claim 12.

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