JPH03270488A - Catv distribution control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the efficiency of using a channel in the same subscriber house by assigning the same CATV program to be distributed to plural terminals to the same channel in the same subscriber house. CONSTITUTION:In a line concentrating means 103, a distribution control means 104 is provided to receive the CATV program at the channel already distributed to the same subscriber house 101 as the terminal requesting the distribution when the CATV program is already distributed to the same subscriber house 101 as the terminal requesting the distribution, and to receive the CATV program at the new channel in respect to the terminal requesting the distribution when the program is not distributed yet, in respect to the distribution request of the prescribed CATV program from any one of plural terminals 1021-102n. Therefore, the same CATV program can be assigned to the same channel by the distribution control means 104 and a switching means 106. Thus, the efficiency of using the channel in the same subscriber house can be improved.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] This invention relates to a distribution control system for CATV programs, and more specifically, to a CATV program that uses limited transmission channels more efficiently and allows a large number of subscribers to enjoy a wide variety of programs. Regarding the distribution control method of CATV programs for building a system, if there are multiple CATV terminals housed in one subscriber's premises and requesting to receive the same source program, the central office should only receive one source program. The purpose is to make it possible to transmit a program on one channel per subscriber's premises, and in response to a distribution request for a predetermined CATV program from any terminal within the line concentrator, the CATV program is sent a distribution request. If the CATV program has already been distributed to the same subscriber's premises as the terminal that received the distribution request, the CATV program will be received on the channel where the distribution is being performed for the terminal that made the distribution request, and if the CATV program has not been distributed, , distribution control means for causing a terminal that has made a request to receive a CATV program on a new channel. Furthermore,
It is configured to have a cutting control means and a switching control means.

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a CATV program distribution control system,
More specifically, it is a CA that allows a large number of subscribers to enjoy a wide variety of programs by using limited transmission channels more efficiently.
The present invention relates to a CATV program distribution control method for constructing a TV system.

[Conventional technology]

CATV W4, which was started with the aim of eliminating areas where it was difficult to view TVJBON broadcasting, has been developing as a media for diverse information sources in recent years, with the trend toward diversifying information and the gradual progress of regional information society. be.

The general configuration of a CATV network is a remote line concentrator (hereinafter referred to as RE) that performs line concentration operations by remote control from the station side.
:Remote Equipment) and a network terminal equipment (hereinafter referred to as N T :Network) installed in each subscriber's premises.
orkTermination) is connected by a subscriber line. In addition, within the subscriber's premises, NT
multiple terminal adapters (hereinafter referred to as TA:Termin)
al Adaptor), and each CATV terminal below it (hereinafter referred to as TE: Terminal Equipment)
A home configuration in which the NT is connected to an NT, or a home configuration in which a plurality of TEs are directly connected to an NT is conceivable.

By the way, in such a CATV program distribution system within one subscriber's premises, there are 1
When receiving the broadcast service of a source program (CATV program, the same shall apply hereinafter) consisting of one TE, other TE
If the RE requests to receive the broadcast service of the same source program from the subscriber, the RE shall, even though it is already broadcasting the same source program using one of its channels to the subscriber's premises. Instead of using this channel, one of the unused channels is newly designated and used.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, in such a conventional CATV program distribution system, since the number of channels for distribution to each subscriber's premises is limited, the number of channels equal to the maximum number of channels,
or cannot connect to the channel. Therefore, even though a wide variety of programs are available as broadcast sources for CATV, in some cases, all of the maximum channels mentioned above may be used for broadcasting one program. However, there is a problem in that the channel usage efficiency is significantly reduced.

In the present invention, when there are multiple CATV terminals accommodated in one subscriber's premises and requesting reception of the same source program, the station side sends one CATV terminal per subscriber's premises.
The purpose is to make it possible to transmit programs over one channel.

[Means to solve the problem]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the present invention. The present invention provides a subscriber premises 101 that accommodates a plurality of terminals 1021 to 102.
The present invention is based on a CATV distribution control system in which distribution of CATV programs is controlled in response to requests for distribution, switching, or disconnection of CATV programs from the line concentrator 103 to the line concentrator 103.

First, in the line concentrating means 103, a plurality of terminals 102, to 10
2. In response to a distribution request for a predetermined CATV program from one of the terminals, if the CATV program has already been distributed to the same subscriber premises 101 as the terminal that made the distribution request, the distribution request is made. It has a distribution control means 104 that causes the terminal to receive the CATV program on a channel where distribution is being performed, and when the CATV program is not distributed, causes the terminal that has made the request to receive the CATV program on a new channel.

Next, in the line concentrating means 103, a plurality of terminals 102° to 10
In response to a request for disconnection of a predetermined CATV program from one of the terminals in 2n, only if the said CAT■ program has not been distributed to other terminals in the same subscriber's premises 101 as the terminal that made the disconnection request. Accordingly, it is possible to further include a disconnection control means 105 for disconnecting/releasing a channel for which a disconnection request has been made.

In addition, within the line concentration means 103, a plurality of terminals 1021-1
02, in response to a request for switching from the first CATV program to the second CATV program from one of the terminals, the second CATV program is sent to the same subscriber's premises 101 as the terminal that made the switching request. If the CATV program has already been distributed, the terminal that has made the switch request will receive the CATV program on the channel that is being distributed, and if it has not been distributed, the terminal that has made the switch request will receive the CATV program on the channel that is being distributed. The first CATV program is distributed only when the first CATV program is not distributed to other terminals in the same subscriber premises 101 as the terminal that made the switching request. The device may be configured to further include a switching control means 106 for cutting/releasing channels that have been previously used.

In the above configuration, when the distribution control means 104 or the switching control means 106 causes a terminal that has made a distribution request or a switching request to receive a CATV program on a new channel as described above, there is no new free channel. In some cases, it can be configured to disallow distribution or switching operations.

Furthermore, in this case, if a channel for CATV distribution becomes vacant thereafter, the terminal that has made the distribution request or switching request can be configured to be notified that the channel for CATV distribution is vacant. .

[For production]

Conventionally, one terminal could only be associated with one channel for CATV distribution, and each terminal could use the same CAT even though the terminals were in the same subscriber's premises.
Since broadcasting services for CATV programs were received on separate channels, channel usage efficiency was extremely low. However, the distribution control means 104 and switching means 106 shown in FIG. 1 make it possible to allocate the same CATV program to the same channel. It becomes possible.

This makes it possible to significantly improve channel usage efficiency within the same subscriber's premises.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 shows the subscriber's premises and R to which the embodiment of the present invention is applied.
FIG.

The configuration in the figure has the form of an integrated network that integrates STM (synchronous transfer mode) transmission and ATV (asynchronous transfer mode) transmission, and CATVW4 is used as part of such a digital integrated network. Realized.

In FIG. 2, RE2O3 performs a line concentration operation by remote control from a station (not shown), and a subscriber's premises 202.
The NT2O3 installed in the network are connected by a subscriber line 204.

In the subscriber's premises 202, the NT2O3 accommodates a premises bus 205, and this premises bus 205 has a plurality of TA#1 to TA#.
n, and a plurality of TE#1 to TE#n are connected thereunder. Note that a plurality of TEs may be connected to one TA. Further, a configuration may be adopted in which the TE is directly connected to the home bus 205.

In this case, for example, 135°63
One bidirectional channel for ATM communication (hereinafter referred to as H4'' I channel) with a transmission rate of 2 Mb/s, and one channel for STM distribution for distributing CATV signals with a transmission rate of 132 Mb/s. Three unidirectional channels (hereinafter referred to as H4 channels) dedicated to downlink are provided.In each TE#1 to TE#n, the above-mentioned H4 channels are provided.
In addition to being able to freely communicate with TEs in other subscriber premises (not specifically shown) using the 4* channel, it is also possible to receive distribution of CATV broadcasts that are particularly relevant to the present invention via the H4 channel of the 3 channels.

Next, the functions of this embodiment realized as the functions of RE2O3 and each of TE#1 to TE#n in FIG. 2 will be described in detail using sequence diagrams in FIGS. 3 to 5.

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram when changing channels midway. The figure shows an example where TE#1 and TE#2 are used.

First, when the user inputs the program number PROG#1 from the keyboard of the TE10 (St), the TE#l notifies the RE2O3 by a layer 3 5ETUP message that the program number PROG#1 and the STM channel will be used. (S2). Information elements shown by ■ to ■, ■, and ■ to ■ in the figure are added to the message. ■ is a protocol identifier, which indicates a layer 3 message of the D channel protocol; ■ is a call number, which indicates the call number currently set to TE#1. ■ indicates the message type, and indicates a 5ETUP message. ■
is the transmission capacity, indicating 37M channel usage. ■ is a channel identifier. ■ is a keypad facility,
Source program number P by the above keyboard operation
ROG #1 is shown. ■ is the called party number and indicates TE10. [Phase] and ■ are low-level and high-level layer compatibility, but these will be omitted.

Next, the RE 2 O 3 that has received the 5ETUP message notifies the TE 10 that it is in the process of setting up a call by means of a CALL-PROC message (S3).

Information elements ① to ② and ② similar to those described above are added to the message. Here, the usable STM channel number STMch-1 is notified by .

Subsequently, RE2O3 notifies TE10 that the connection has been successful by means of a C0NN message (S4). Information elements ■ to ■ and ■ are added to the message. 3 is a display indicating that CATV broadcasting is to be displayed.

Through the above operations, the TE10 sets the channel number STM
Through the STM channel of ch-1, the program number P
It will be possible to receive the broadcast service of the ROG #1 source program (SS).

In exactly the same way as the above sequence, by inputting program number PROG#2 from the keyboard of TE#2, TE10 selects, for example, 3 of channel number STMch-2.
It becomes possible to receive the broadcast service of the source program with program number PROG #2 via the 7M channel (S!-510).

Here, if the user of the TE 10 wants to change the program being received from the program number PROG#2 to PROG#1, he manually inputs a key indicating the change and the program number PROG#1 from the keyboard. As a result, from TE10 to R
E2O3 is notified of the program number PROG#1 by INFO data (S++). Information elements ■ to ■ and ■ are added to the message.

RE2O3 has already received T by the normal call control program.
It is determined that E10 has received the distribution of the source program with program number PROG#1, and the same 3
7M channel channel number STMch-1 INF
It is placed in the O data and notified to the TE 10 (512).

Information elements ■ to ■ and ■ are added to the message.

As a result, the TE 10 and the TE 10 can receive the broadcast service of the source program with the program number PROG#1 via the 37M channel with the channel number STMch-1 (S+3).

Next, regarding channel disconnection, if there is a disconnection request from a subscriber receiving the same source program,
The channel is disconnected and released only when the last subscriber requests disconnection.

In the example of FIG. 3, first, TE 10 notifies RE 2 O 3 of a DISC message indicating a call release request (5
14). Information elements ■ to ■ and ■ are added to the message. (2) is a reason display, which indicates, for example, that the disconnection was performed normally.

In response, RE2O3 sends a REL message to TE10 indicating a channel disconnection completion notification and a call number release request (S's), and in response, TE10 sends a channel release and a call number release request to RE2O3. R indicating release completion
The EL-CON message is notified (516), and the information elements ``■'' to ``■'' are added to both messages.

In response, RE2O3 confirmed that TE10 was still using the 37M channel with channel number STMch-1, and continued to distribute CATV broadcasts to TE10 without actually releasing that channel. do.

As described above, even when two or more TEs are using the same 37M channel, the same procedure is repeated until the last one.

Then, in response to the DISC message (S,) from TE10 (the last TE), RE2O3 performs an actual channel release operation. Then, RE from RE2O3 to TE10
L message is sent (519) and RE from TE10
REL-C0M message is returned to 2O3 (Sz
o).

Next, FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram when another TE specifies the same source program from the beginning.

The figure also shows an example where TE10 and TE10 are used.

First, in exactly the same way as in the case of FIG.
-1 via 37M channel with program number PRO
It becomes possible to receive the broadcast service of the source program of G#1 (S+=Ss).

Next, when the same program number PROG#1 as TE10 is input from the keyboard of TE10 (S, T
E10 notifies RE2O3 that program number PROG#1 and channel 37M will be used by a 5ETUP message (S,).

RE2O3 is already connected to TE10 by the call control program.
TE determines that it has received the source program with program number PROG#1, and notifies the same channel number STMch-1 as TE10 by a CALL-PROC message (Ss), and notifies connection completion by a C0NN message (S9).

Through the above operations, the TE 10 and the TE 10 can receive the broadcast service of the source program with the program number PROG #1 through the 37M channel with the channel number STMch-1 (S+).

Below, the operation when the TE10 issues a channel disconnection request and the operation when the TE10 issues the same request will be explained in the third section.
It is the same as S, ~520 in Figure 4 (S, ~517 in Figure 4)
.

Finally, the sequence when there is no free channel when a new channel request or channel switching request is made from the TE will be described. FIG. 5 is an example of the former case.

First, in exactly the same manner as in FIG. 4 Sl"510, TE#1
and TE10 are 37M with channel number STMch-1.
Through the channel, the source program with program number PROG #1 will be in a state of receiving broadcasting service (5th
Figure S, ~S1°).

Furthermore, although not shown in FIG. 5, other TEs similarly transmit other channel numbers STMch-2 and STMch-3.
The broadcasting service of source programs with other program numbers is now available through the 37M channel of the subscriber, and all of the 3 H channels (see Figure 2) supplied to the subscriber's premises 202 are in use. Suppose that it becomes

In this state, for example, if a connection request for another program number is input from the keyboard of TE#n (S++), 5E is sent from TE#n to RE2O3.
The TUP message indicates its program number and 3
You will be notified that you want to use the 7M channel (S, z)
.

On the other hand, RE2O3 uses the call control program to
It is determined that there are no free 37M channels. As a result, RE2O3 notifies TE#n of a REL-CON message indicating that connection cannot be established (513
). In this case, the reason for the information element ■ indicates that there are no free channels.

Thereafter, for example, after TE#1 and TE10 finish receiving the broadcasting service as shown in FIG.
Although not specifically shown in FIG. 5, a notification that the channel is available is sent to TE#n, which has not previously received a request, using INFO data or the like. This function is realized by the RE2O3 storing the history up to a certain period of time, for example.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, it is possible to allocate the same CATV program distributed to multiple terminals to the same channel within the same subscriber's premises. It becomes possible to distribute programs.

This makes it possible to significantly improve channel usage efficiency within the same subscriber's premises.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 is a block diagram of the present invention. Figure 2 is the constituent countries of the subscriber's premises and the RE. Figure 3 is a sequence diagram when switching channels midway. Figure 4 is a diagram of another TE that is the same. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram when a source program is specified from the beginning. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram when there is no free channel at the time of a channel switching request. 101...Subscriber premises, 102-10211...Terminal, 103...Line concentration means, 104...Distribution control means, 105...Disconnection control means, 106...Switching control means.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1) CA from the subscriber's premises (101) accommodating a plurality of terminals (102_1 to 102_n) to the line concentrator (103)
In a CATV distribution control method that controls the distribution of CATV programs in response to requests for distribution, switching, or disconnection of TV programs, the line concentrator (103) receives a request for distribution of a predetermined CATV program from any of the terminals. In contrast, the CA
If the TV program has already been distributed to the same subscriber's premises (101) as the terminal that made the distribution request, the CATV program is distributed to the terminal that made the distribution request on the channel on which the distribution is being performed. A CA characterized by having a distribution control means (104) for causing the CATV program to be received and, if the program has not been distributed, for causing the requesting terminal to receive the CATV program on a new channel.
TV distribution control method. 2) In the line concentrator (103), in response to a request for disconnection of a predetermined CATV program from any of the terminals, the CATV program is located at the same subscriber's premises (101) as the terminal from which the disconnection request was made. The disconnection/disconnection of the channel for which the disconnection was requested is limited to the case where the channel is not distributed to the
The CATV distribution control system according to claim 1, further comprising disconnection control means (105) for performing release. 3) In the line concentrating means (103), in response to a request for switching from the first CATV program to the second CATV program from any of the terminals, the second CATV program is connected to the terminal from which the switching request was made. Same subscriber's premises as (
101), the terminal that has made the switching request is made to receive the CATV program on the channel on which the distribution is being performed, and if it has not been distributed, the terminal that has made the switching request is If the first CATV program is not distributed to other terminals in the same subscriber's premises (101) as the terminal that made the switching request, 3. The CATV distribution control system according to claim 1, further comprising a switching control means (106) for disconnecting/releasing the channel to which the first CATV program has been distributed only when the first CATV program is distributed. 4) When the distribution control means (104) or the switching control means (106) causes the terminal that has made the distribution request or the switching request to receive the CATV program on a new channel, it selects a new free channel. 4. The CATV distribution control system according to claim 1, wherein the distribution or switching operation is not permitted if the CATV distribution control method does not exist. 5) When the distribution control means (104) or the switching control means (106) causes the terminal that has made the distribution request or the switching request to receive the CATV program on a new channel, it selects a new free channel. If there is no CATV distribution channel and the above distribution or switching operation is not approved, and the CATV distribution channel becomes vacant afterwards, the CATV distribution channel becomes vacant for the terminal that made the distribution request or switching request. 5. The CATV distribution control system according to claim 1, wherein a notification is provided.