JPH0215792A - Catv transmitting method and catv transmitter-receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make automatic picture recording possible even for pay per view broadcasting by sending a control signal which turns on each circuit for making the signal reception and signal output after reproduction of a converter at the time at which automatic picture recording is required in accordance with the desire of a subscriber. CONSTITUTION:When a subscriber wants to automatically record the picture of CATV broadcasting, the subscriber transmits a signal (VCR signal) indicating the desire for the automatic picture recording to a line controller 1 on the transmitting side through key input or remote controller operation. The line controller 1 sends an information signal (SSW 'ON' signal) which sets the auxiliary power supply switch of the CATV converter 2 of the subscriber at the same time with or a little earlier than the time required by the subscriber for starting the recording. When the subscriber wants to record pay per view broadcasting, the subscriber sends a pay per view service requesting signal (PPVS signal) together with the VCR signal. Based on the PPVS signal, the controller 1 sends the channel information of the pay per view broadcasting to the converter 2 prior to the broadcasting so that the pay per view broadcasting signal can be received and outputted after reproduction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a two-way CATV transmission system, and more particularly to a two-way CATV transmission system that can support answering recording of broadcast programs.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, two-way CATV transmission systems have been used to record broadcast programs on video tape recorders, etc. in the same way as normal television broadcasting systems.
It is expected that this market need will be met systematically through the V converter.

An example of a conventional bidirectional CATV transmission system will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a bidirectional CATV transmission system. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a line controller for managing and controlling a CATV converter 2 connected to the subscriber side of a bidirectional CATV line, and is coupled to a modem 3. The modem 3 modulates the information (lower signal) from the line controller 1 to the CATv converter 2 through a communication line such as a coaxial cable, and also modulates the information (uplink signal) from the CATV converter 2 to the line controller 1. ) is demodulated from the RF multiplied signal. Image information in the CATV transmission system may be television broadcast programs or programs such as movies played by a video tape recorder, etc., but CATV broadcasting is basically a service for subscribers. Therefore, in order not to impair the performance of the boat, the broadcast signal is subjected to a noise filter. The TV modulator 4 performs the scrambling. In addition, this Nuclamp TV WoCAT
Information that must be returned to a normal television signal (disc lamp/L') by the V converter 2 is transmitted along with the signal from the line controller 1 or the image signal to be transmitted. The modem 3° TV2 modulator 4 is coupled to the mixer 6, and receives video and audio signals from the TV modulator d4,
The control signal from line controller 1 is CAT
V line 6 and CATV converter 2
An uplink signal from the line controller 1 is transmitted to the line controller 1 via the modem 3. Amplifiers 7.1 are provided in the CATV line 6 to compensate for transmission losses of the upper and lower signals. In order to distribute and branch service information to CATV converter 2, which is a subscriber terminal,
This is done by inserting a branch/distributor 8 into the CATV line 6 and coupling the CATV converter 2 to this distributor 8.

The broadcast signal descrambled by the CATV converter 2 and restored to a standard signal is reproduced by the television receiver 9. When recording a program with a video tape recorder, it is realized by interposing it between the CATV converter 2 and the television receiver 190.

The CATV converter 2 has a configuration as shown in a block diagram in FIG. 1o is a tuner, CAT
One channel is tuned and selected from a plurality of channels transmitted and input from the V line 6. This tuner 10
The information received includes information from the TV modulator 4 and information from the line controller 1, and the information from the line controller 1 is first input to the modem 11. The information demodulated by the modem 11 includes the CATV controller (-
The demodulated information is output to the communication control section 12. The above information is input to the tuning control section 12 to control the drive of the tuner 10, and
The descrambler 13 becomes movable ta. The video and audio signals received by the tuner 10 are demodulated by the demodulator 14 and descrambled by the descrambler 13. The descrambled video signal is then converted into a specific channel, for example 2 channels, by the RF modulator 16 and reproduced by the television receiver 9. Control of the CATV converter 2 is realized by operating the key 16 or inputting a control signal to the remote control receiving section 17. In Figure 3, 18 is CATV
A display section for displaying the reception channel of the converter 2, etc., 1
Reference numeral 9 denotes a power supply section that supplies power to each circuit block within the converter 2.

The CATV converter 2 has two switches: a main power switch and a sub power switch. The main power switch is normally changed by inserting the power plug into the power outlet, and in this state all circuit blocks become movable. Especially the modem 11 in the circuit block. The remote control receiving section 17 modulates and demodulates data or receives remote control data together with the channel selection control section 12, regardless of whether the sub power switch is on or off. Images can only be reproduced and output when the sub power switch is turned on.

By the way, when recording CATV broadcast programs using a video tape recorder, non-scrambled general broadcast programs other than specific pay broadcasts can be recorded by directly inputting line input to the video tape recorder. In the case of scrambled broadcasting, it is essential to interpose a CATV converter between the video tape recorder and the video tape recorder, but of course the sub power switch of the CATV converter must be turned on.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, in the conventional CATV transmission system as described above, when recording a broadcast program, when the user turns on the sub power switch of the CATV converter and selects a specified channel, Images on a video tape recorder, etc.
Since the configuration is such that an audio signal can be output, if the sub power switch or the main power switch itself is turned off due to some external factor, recording by a video tape recorder or the like becomes impossible.

In particular, when recording a pay-per-view broadcast, the channel on which the pay-per-view broadcast is performed is generally system-controlled by a line controller so that it cannot be selected until just before the broadcast starts. Therefore, when trying to record pay-per-view broadcast programs,
Turn on the sub power switch of the CATV converter,
A pay-per-view channel must be selected and recording using a video tape recorder or the like must be started.

Therefore, it was very time-consuming to operate the machine, and of course it was not possible to record while the machine was being used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a CATV transmission system that enables video recording even during pay-per-view broadcasting.

Means for Solving Problem 1 In order to achieve the above object, the CATV transmission method of the present invention includes converter reception and signal reproduction at the time when the subscriber desires to record the answering machine based on the subscriber's wishes.

The transmitting means sends out a control signal to turn on each circuit that performs output.

Effect: According to the CATV transmission method described above, at least the circuit block related to signal reception and reproduction of the converter, which is the subscriber terminal, is turned on at the time desired by the subscriber, and the CATTV transmission method is turned on.
It becomes possible to reproduce and output V broadcasting even when the user is away from home.

As a result, the subscriber can record the CATV broadcast group # while he/she is away by setting a timer on a video tape recorder or the like and sending a signal to the line controller indicating that the subscriber desires the above-mentioned drive control.

Embodiment A CATV transmission method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating the transmission method of this embodiment.

If a CATV subscriber wishes to record CATV broadcasts during an answering session using a video tape recorder or the like, the subscriber transmits a signal (hereinafter referred to as a VCR signal) requesting recording during an answering session to the line controller 1 by manual keystroke or remote control operation. . Of course, this VCR signal also needs to include information about the desired recording time while the user is away. On the other hand, the line controller 1 on the transmitting side first temporarily stores the VCR signal sent as an upstream signal from the terminal converter 2. Based on this VCR signal, the VCR
Based on the address information of the converter 2 of the subscriber who sent the signal and the desired recording time information, the line controller 1 sends a message to the CATV converter 2 of the subscriber at that specific address at the same time as the desired recording time or slightly earlier. The tuner 10 receives an information signal (hereinafter referred to as the SSW on signal) that turns on the sub power switch of the converter 2 at the specified time.
．． The signal is input to the channel selection control section 12 via the modem 11. Then, based on the SSW on signal, the channel selection control section 12
At least the demodulator 14. Descramble section 1a, RF
The modulator unit 16 is turned on in addition to the circuit blocks that are already in operation even when the sub power switch is off. Therefore, first, it is checked whether the sub power switch is in the on state or not, and if it is not in the on state, the sub power switch is turned on so as to turn on at least the circuits such as the demodulator 14 described above.

Through the above-described control operations, it is possible to record programs during general CATV broadcasting, excluding pay-per-view broadcasting. At this time, the video tape recorder must be in a recording-enabled state by setting a timer, etc., and the station to be received will be the one on the channel when the user turns off the sub power switch after transmitting the VCR signal. It is something.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the SSW on signal turns on the sub power switch and turns on all the circuit blocks of the converter 2, but the same operation and effect can be achieved even if only the circuit blocks necessary for signal reproduction are turned on. can.

Now, I will explain below how to record pay-per-view broadcasts while you are away.

Sending a VCR signal to the line controller is no different from when recording general programs, but when broadcasting pay-per-view, a pay-per-view service request signal (ppvs request signal) must be sent. Based on this ppvs signal, channel information for pay/)(-/view broadcasting is sent from line controller 1 to channel selection control unit 12 of converter 2 prior to broadcasting.

Generally, the channel selection control unit 12 sends a PL signal so that the tuner 10 selects a pay-per-view broadcasting channel.
Information such as the frequency division ratio is outputted to the tuner 10 composed of an L circuit, thereby making it possible to receive and reproduce the pay-per-view broadcasting. In the manner described above, it is also possible to record pay-per-view broadcasts while the user is away.

In this embodiment, we have described a configuration in which general CATV broadcasts are recorded only on selected channels, but by including information specifying the channel in the VCR signal and sending it to the line controller, pay per As in the case of view broadcast recording, automatic channel selection and reception recording can be easily performed.

Effects of the Invention According to the present invention, at least the signal regeneration processing section of the terminal converter is turned on by a control signal from the transmitting means at a specified time based on the subscriber's wishes, and the terminal converter is turned on even if the sub power switch is already off. In addition to a modem, channel selection control unit, remote control reception unit, etc., it is also possible to receive, play, descramble, and output signals, allowing you to record CATV broadcasts using a video tape recorder, etc. even when you are not home. becomes possible. Therefore, the serviceability of the CATV transmission system can be further improved, which has great practical effects and is also useful for the development of new markets.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1(a) and (b)) are flowcharts for explaining an embodiment of the CATV transmission method of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of a general CATV transmission method,
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the CATV converter. 1...Line controller, 2...C
ATV converter, 10...Tuner, 11.
...Modem, 12...Tuition selection control section, 13
... Descramble section, 14 ... Demodulation section, 16 ... RF modulator. Name of agent: Patent attorney Shigetaka Awano and one other person

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A CATV transmission method for a CATV device comprising a plurality of subscriber terminal converters and a transmitting means for transmitting image information to these subscriber terminal converters, wherein the terminal converter has at least a predetermined signal reproduction processing section thereof. A signal designating the on state from the time is transmitted to the transmitting means, and the transmitting means transmits a signal to the terminal converter in which the main power switch is in the on state and the sub power switch is in the off state based on the received designated signal. A CATV transmission method characterized by transmitting a control signal for turning on at least a signal reproduction processing section of the terminal converter at the predetermined time or a time earlier than the predetermined time. (2) A transmitting means for outputting a control signal to turn on at least the signal reproduction processing section of the terminal converter whose main power switch is on and the sub power switch is off from a predetermined time, and a CATV circuit is provided in the transmitting means. and at least one terminal converter coupled through the terminal converter, and the terminal converter has control means for receiving a control signal from the transmitting means and driving and controlling the signal reproduction processing section to turn on the signal reproduction processing section. CATV transmitting and receiving equipment. (3) CATV having the transmission means according to claim (2)
Transmitting device. (4) CATV having the control means according to claim (2)
Terminal converter.