JPH05336055A - Pay broadcast decoder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatically set a no-ringing service flag and the telephone num ber of a region center with calling from terminal by only the connection of a telephone line to a decoder and the depression of a service switch. CONSTITUTION:When the telephone line is connected to a decoder 22 and the service switch is depressed, the decoder 22 calls a temporary center 44 whose telephone number is stored as a temporary center telephone number. The decoder 22 stores the telephone number of the region center and the no-ringing service flag, which are sent from the temporary center 44, as a region center telephone number 29 and a no-ringing service flag 30 respectively to communicate with this region center.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pay broadcasting system, and more particularly to a pay broadcasting decoder using a telephone line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An example of a pay broadcasting decoder used in a conventional pay broadcasting system will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the structure of a conventional pay broadcasting system. The transmitter 12 side in FIG. 8 is the broadcasting station 11 side, and the decoder 22 side is the viewing contractor 21 side. The video / audio signals supplied to the scrambler 13 are scrambled and supplied to the multiplexer 14. Data relating to the program (hereinafter referred to as program information) is supplied from the program information generator 15 to the multiplexer 14, and this program information is sent to the multiplexer 14.
Then, the audio signal is multiplexed and transmitted to the viewing subscriber 21.

The received signal of the transmitted signal is supplied to the separating device 23. The reception signal supplied to the separation device 23 is separated into a video / audio signal and program information,
They are supplied to the descrambler 24 and the program information memory 25, respectively. The signal supplied from the separating device 23 to the descrambler 24 is descrambled and output when the program is available for viewing. The microcomputer 31 compares data relating to contract information (hereinafter referred to as individual information) stored in advance in the individual information memory 26 in accordance with the contract with the broadcasting station with the program information, determines whether or not the program can be viewed, and makes a determination. The result is output to the descrambler 24. The microcomputer 31 and the contractor management database 16 are communicably connected via a telephone line via an NCU (Network Control Unit) 41.

This individual information is sent to the decoder 22 at the time of new contract and contract renewal, and is stored in the individual information memory 26 in the decoder 22. As a method of transmitting the individual information, for example, as shown by the dotted line in the figure, there is a method in which the broadcasting station 11 multiplexes the individual information into an audio signal and transmits the same, as in the program information. In a pay broadcasting system using a telephone line, there is a method of sending individual information via this telephone line.

[0006] There are several methods for viewing a program in pay broadcasting using a pay broadcast decoder, and it depends on the contents of the contract between the broadcasting station and the viewing contractor. For example, the viewing contract can be classified as follows. .. (1) Flat fee / Pay a fixed monthly viewing fee,
You can watch all programs on that channel freely.

(2) Pay-per-view (program) / A viewing method in which a predetermined viewing fee for a certain program is paid and only that program can be viewed has the advantage of paying only the viewing fee for the program desired to be viewed.

(3) Pay-per-view (time) / A predetermined viewing fee for a certain time is set, and the viewing method is to pay the viewing fee for the desired time, which is also for the desired time of the program to be watched. The advantage is that you only have to pay the viewing fee.

As a method of paying the pay-per-view viewing fee among the above-mentioned methods, there is a method of post-payment, for example. In this post-payment method, the decoder 22 stores information (hereinafter referred to as viewing information) regarding a program viewed in pay-per-view. The viewing information is, for example, information such as the program number of the viewed program, the unit price of the program, and the number of hours the program has been viewed. The broadcasting station 11 collects the viewing information stored in the decoder 22 into the contractor management database 16 using the telephone line, and charges the contracting viewer.

In the pay broadcasting system using the telephone line as described above, the broadcasting station 11 operates the decoder 2 via the telephone line.
In addition to collecting the viewing information from 2, the viewing station 21 sends new individual information to the decoder 22 when the viewing contractor 21 updates the contract. The method of performing data communication between the broadcasting station 11 and the viewing subscriber 21 via a telephone line is as follows.
The following two operations are possible. One is an operation of making a call from the broadcasting station 11 to the viewing subscriber 21 (hereinafter referred to as a center call), and it is necessary to provide a no-ringing service so that a person does not pick up the receiver by mistake. is there. The no-ringing service is a service in which only a device for data communication can detect an incoming call without a ringer sound on a commercially available telephone, and it is already used for automatic meter reading of gas. To receive this no-ringing service, the exchange of the telephone communication service company must support the no-ringing service.

The other is from the viewing subscriber 21 to the broadcasting station 1
This is an operation for making a call to 1 (hereinafter referred to as a terminal call), and in an area where the exchange of the telephone communication service company does not support the no ringing service, it is necessary to cope with this. The subscriber cannot easily know whether the area he / she lives in is the area where no ringing service is available, and the subscriber who lives in the area where no ringing service is available operates the decoder. Then, there is a problem that it is necessary to perform the work for calling the terminal.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of a conventional pay broadcasting system in the case where there are a plurality of communication facilities (hereinafter referred to as regional centers) of the broadcasting station 11 which communicates with the viewing subscriber 21 for each region. 9, the same parts as those in FIG. 8 are designated by the same reference numerals. The contractor management database 16 is
Individual information and viewing information are communicably connected to the regional center 1 and the regional center 2, respectively. The regional center 1 and the regional center 2 are communicably connected to the decoder 22 via a telephone line.

In this case, since there are a plurality of communication facilities of the broadcasting station 11, there is a problem that the viewing subscriber cannot easily know which regional center the region where he / she lives is under the control.

[0014]

As described above, in the conventional pay broadcasting decoder, (1) the viewing subscriber can easily know whether or not the area in which he / she lives is the area in which the no ringing service is available. (2) Viewing subscribers living in an area where no ringing service is available must operate the decoder to perform terminal calling work. (3) When there are multiple communication facilities at the broadcasting station , There is a problem that the viewer cannot easily know which communication facility the area where he / she lives is under the control.

The present invention eliminates the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, and the decoder automatically determines whether or not the area in which one is living is the area where the no ringing service is available and the terminal calling work is performed. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a pay broadcast decoder which determines which communication facility is under control and automatically sets the telephone number of the controlled regional center.

[0016]

In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, a service switch, a temporary center memory for storing a telephone number of a temporary center, and a regional center for storing a telephone number of a regional center. A temporary center calling means connected to the memory and a telephone line and calling the temporary center when the service switch is pressed, and a telephone number of the regional center supplied from the temporary center are written in the regional center memory. There is provided a pay broadcast decoder comprising the area center writing means and area center calling means for making a call to the area center in which the telephone number is written.

Further, there is provided a no-ringing service memory for storing a no-ringing service flag indicating the presence or absence of a no-ringing service, and a no-ringing service writing means for writing the no-ringing service flag supplied from the temporary center to the no-ringing service memory. The above-mentioned pay broadcast decoder is provided. The pay broadcast decoder is characterized by further comprising display means for displaying according to the presence or absence of the no ringing service.

[0018] Further, a viewing subscriber memory for storing the telephone number of the viewing subscriber, a means for writing the telephone number of the viewing subscriber in the viewing subscriber memory, and the viewing stored in the memory for the viewing subscriber. There is provided the pay broadcast decoder characterized in that it has means for transmitting the telephone number of the contractor to the temporary center.

[0019]

With the above arrangement, when the viewing subscriber pushes the decoder service switch when installing the decoder, the decoder automatically calls the temporary center. The temporary center sends the telephone number of the regional center and the no ringing service flag to the decoder, and the decoder stores it in memory. When the no-ringing service flag indicates that there is a service, the decoder does not call the terminal and waits for a call from the center, and when there is no service, it calls the terminal according to a predetermined condition.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. First embodiment

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the same parts as those in FIG. 9 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Only different parts will be described. In FIG. 1, the contractor management database 16 is connected to the temporary center 44 so that individual information and viewing information can be communicated. The temporary center 44 is communicably connected to the decoder 22 via a telephone line. The temporary center telephone number 28 is connected to the microcomputer 31 so that the temporary center telephone number can be stored. Regional center telephone number 2
9 is a microcomputer 31 that can store the telephone number of the regional center
Connected to. No Ringing Service Flag 30
Is connected to the microcomputer 31 so as to be able to store a flag indicating the presence or absence of the no ringing service.

Next, the operation from the purchase of the decoder 22 to the contract / decoder installation will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 shows a case where the decoder 22 is freely sold, and the viewing subscriber 21 purchases the decoder from a general store (step 1) and makes a viewer contract with the broadcasting station 11 (step 2). Decoder 2 purchased in the contract at this time
The contract information such as the ID number of 2, the viewing contractor's address, the telephone number, and the contract conditions are entered. The ID number, contract conditions, etc. may be described in a contract attached to the decoder in advance.

The contract information is registered in the contractor management database 16 of the broadcasting station 11 and is sent from the contractor management database 16 to the temporary center 44 (step 3). The temporary center 44 is in a state where it can always retrieve the contract information by storing the information sent from the contractor management database 16 (step 4), and waits for a call from the decoder 22. In this way, the temporary center 44
When the preparation is completed, a message prompting the viewing subscriber to press the service switch of the decoder 22 is sent to the viewing subscriber 21 (or the number of days after the contract is sent until the service switch is pressed, such as how many days after the contract is sent. It may be set in advance and not contacted).

After receiving the notification that the temporary center 44 is ready, the viewing contractor 21 connects the decoder 22 and the NCU 41 to make the temporary center 44 communicable. Next, when the service switch of the decoder 22 is pressed (step 5),
The microcomputer 31 reads out the telephone number of the temporary center 44 stored in advance in the temporary center telephone number 28 and calls the terminal (step 6). Note that the telephone number of the temporary center 44 is the ID used when the microcomputer 31 and the decoder 22 are manufactured or the ID.
It is written when writing the number etc., but the effect is the same no matter where you write it before the viewing subscriber gets it,
In the present invention, the writing of the telephone number of this temporary center is not particularly limited.

Next, when the telephone line is connected between the temporary center 44 and the decoder 22, the temporary center 44 collates the contractor information stored in memory with the ID number of the decoder 22 (step 7). Next, the temporary center 44 searches the telephone number of the regional center that manages the address of the viewing subscriber, and determines whether or not the address is in a region where no ringing service is possible (step 8). This determination work is the same whether the contractor management database 16 is managed or the temporary center 44 side.

If the result of this determination is that the area has no ringing service, the temporary center 44 has the (no) ringing service flag, the telephone number of the area center in charge (for example, the telephone number of the area center 2 in FIG. 1) and the contract content. The individual information according to the above is sent to the decoder 22 (step 9), and the decoder 22 receiving this sends it to the memory (step 11).

On the other hand, when the result of the judgment in step 8 is the area where the no ringing service is impossible, the temporary center 44
Is a non-ringing service flag of (none), the telephone number of the regional center in charge (for example, the telephone number of the regional center 2 in FIG. 1), and the individual information according to the contract contents.
2 to the decoder 2 (step 10), and the decoder 22 having received this stores it in the memory (step 11).

As shown above, the viewing subscriber is the decoder 2
By connecting the telephone line to 2 and pressing the service switch, the no-ringing service flag and the telephone number of the regional center can be set in the decoder 22.

Although not shown in the figure, by providing the decoder 22 with a display device for displaying the no-ringing service flag and the telephone number of the regional center, the region in which the subscriber is living can receive the no-ringing service. Whether or not the regional center is, you can easily know.

Next, the case where the decoder 22 is provided by the broadcasting station will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Figure 3
This is a case where the broadcasting station 11 provides the decoder 22 as in the case of Japanese satellite broadcasting which is currently performing scramble broadcasting, and the viewing subscriber 21 makes a viewer contract with the broadcasting station 11 (step 1). The contract information at this time includes contract information such as the ID number of the decoder 22 provided, the address of the viewing contractor, the telephone number, and the contract conditions.

The contract information is registered in the contractor management database 16 of the broadcasting station 11 and is sent from the contractor management database 16 to the temporary center 44 (step 2). The temporary center 44 stores the information sent from the contractor management database 16 (step 3). Next, when the decoder 22 is sent from the broadcasting station 11 (step 4), the viewing subscriber 21 receives the decoder 22 and the NCU 41.
To connect to the temporary center 44 so that communication is possible. Next, when the service switch of the decoder 22 is pressed (step 5), the microcomputer 31 reads out the telephone number of the temporary center 44 stored in advance in the temporary center telephone number 28 and calls the terminal (step 6). The subsequent steps are the same as those in FIG.

Next, after the decoder 22 receives and stores the no-ringing service flag from the temporary center 44, the telephone number of the area center in charge, and the individual information in accordance with the contract content, the setting is different depending on the state of the stored no-ringing service flag. The operation will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Incidentally, in FIG. 4, viewing condition comparison and PP
Only the communication processing with the regional center is shown, except for processing such as V application management. The microcomputer 31 detects the presence or absence of the no ringing service flag (step 1). Next, if there is a no ringing service flag,
The decoder 22 waits for a call from the regional center (step 2). When a telephone call from the regional center is received and data communication becomes possible, the viewing information is sent to the regional center (step 3).
At the same time, the individual information is received and stored (step 4).

On the other hand, when the no-ringing service flag is absent in step 1, the decoder 22 makes a terminal call according to a predetermined condition. Calling under this prescribed condition means, for example, using a calendar or timer, when the prescribed timing is reached, the telephone number of the regional center that was memorized when the decoder was installed is read out and the terminal is called to make data communication with the regional center possible. Judge (step 5). When the data communication with the regional center becomes possible, the viewing information is transmitted to the regional center (step 6) and the individual information is received and stored (step 7). In the above explanation, the case of using a calendar, timer, etc. as the condition for calling the terminal was explained, but in addition, when the area for storing viewing information is full, or the expiration date of individual information has expired. Cases are also possible.

As explained above, even a subscriber who lives in an area where no ringing service is available,
Since the decoder automatically performs the terminal calling work, the viewing subscriber does not need to operate the decoder, and it is possible to have the decoder 22 in the same sense as in an area where the no-ringing service is available.

Even if the no-ringing service flag is present, when the area for storing the viewing information is full or when the expiration date of the individual information has expired, the decoder issues a data communication with the regional center by calling the terminal. It is also possible to carry out, and by doing so, it is possible to reduce the risk of being in a descrambled state. Second embodiment

In the first embodiment, since there is a contract before the communication with the temporary center, the broadcasting station 11 side knows in advance information such as the ID number of the decoder 22, the address of the viewing subscriber, the telephone number, and the contract conditions. I explained the case. However, in the case where the decoder 22 is freely sold, it may be possible to perform the viewing procedure immediately after purchasing the decoder. In this case, the broadcasting station side does not know in advance information such as the decoder ID number, viewing subscriber address, telephone number, and contract conditions.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the operation of the second embodiment in consideration of such a case. 5, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Only different parts will be described. In FIG. 5, the telephone number 32 of the person who wants to make a contract is connected to the microcomputer 31 so that the telephone number of the person making the contract can be stored, and this telephone number is input by a key (not shown). The operation of the decoder shown in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG.

If the user wants to perform the viewing procedure immediately after purchasing the decoder 22 (step 1), his / her telephone number is first stored in the telephone number 32 of the person who wants to make a contract with the decoder 22 (step 2). Next, the viewer subscribes to the decoder 22.
And the NCU 41 are connected to enable communication with the temporary center 44. When the service switch of the decoder 22 is pressed, the microcomputer 31 reads the telephone number of the temporary center 44 stored in advance in the decoder 22 from the temporary center telephone number 28 and makes a terminal call (step 4).

After the temporary center 44 and the decoder 22 are communicably connected, the temporary center 44 receives the ID number of the decoder, and the contractor management database 16 receives the address and telephone number of the contractor having the decoder with the ID number. Etc. are collated (step 5).

Although the collation is carried out in this way, there is no data yet because it is before the contract (step 6). If there is data in this step 5, it means that the contract has already been completed. Then, the transmitter 12 requests the decoder 22 for the telephone number of the person who wants to contract in the memory (step 7). Next, the decoder 22 transmits the telephone number of the person who desires the stored contract information to the temporary center 44 (step 8). Next, the temporary center 44 searches the telephone number of the area center that manages the address of the viewing subscriber, and determines whether the address is in an area where no ringing service is available (step 9).

If the result of this determination is that no ringing service is available in the area, the provisional center 44 has the no ringing service flag (present), the telephone number of the area center in charge (for example, the telephone number of the area center 2 in FIG. 5) and the contract content. The individual information according to the above is sent to the decoder 22 (step 10), and the decoder 22 receiving this sends it to the memory (step 12).

On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step 9 is an area where no ringing service is possible, the temporary center 44
Sends the non-ringing service flag of (none), the telephone number of the regional center in charge (for example, the telephone number of the regional center 2 in FIG. 5) and the individual information according to the contract content (for example, flat fee only) to the decoder 22. (Step 11), the decoder 22 receiving this stores it in memory (Step 12).

As shown above, the viewing subscriber is the decoder 2
The telephone number can be stored in 2, the telephone line can be connected and the service switch can be pressed to set the no-ringing service flag and the telephone number of the regional center in the decoder 22, and the viewing procedure can be performed immediately after purchasing the decoder. ..
In the above description, the telephone number is set immediately after the decoder is purchased, but it may be set at any timing as long as the temporary center can be obtained during communication. Then, the viewing contractor may exchange the contract after such a procedure, and by doing so, it becomes possible to watch the content sooner, which is very convenient.

If the viewing subscriber 21 does not send the contract to the broadcasting station 11 side after the decoder 22 obtains the individual information and can view the information, the transmission is sent. There is no security problem because the side can force the decoder to be descrambled by radio waves or telephone.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the contract condition memory 3
It is more convenient to provide 3 to enable simple contract condition setting (flat fee / pay-per-view) when the telephone number is stored in the decoder 22.

[0046]

According to the present invention, by simply connecting the telephone line to the decoder and pressing the service switch, it is possible to call the terminal and automatically set the no-ringing service flag and the telephone number of the regional center. Even if you live in an area where you can not receive the service, you can use it without worrying about whether there is no ringing service. In addition, the decoder can perform data communication with the regional center by calling the terminal even when the area for storing viewing information is full or when the expiration date of individual information has expired. It is possible to reduce the risk of becoming a state.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of a pay broadcast decoder according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a pay broadcast decoder.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a pay broadcast decoder.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a pay broadcast decoder.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the pay broadcast decoder according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a pay broadcast decoder.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a pay broadcast decoder capable of setting contract conditions.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a conventional pay broadcast decoder.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of another conventional pay broadcast decoder.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... Broadcasting station, 12 ... Transmitter, 13 ... Scrambler, 1
4 ... Multiplexing device, 15 ... Program information generating device, 16 ... Contractor management database, 21 ... Viewing contractor, 22 ... Decoder, 23 ... Separation device, 24 ... Descrambler, 25 ... Program information memory, 26 ... Individual information memory , 27 ... Viewing information memory, 28 ... Temporary center telephone number, 29 ... Regional center telephone number, 30 ... No ringing service flag, 31 ...
Microcomputer, 41 ... NCU, 42 ... Regional center 1, 43 ...
Regional centers 2, 44 ... Temporary centers

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A service switch, a temporary center memory that stores a telephone number of a temporary center, a regional center memory that stores a telephone number of a regional center, and a temporary line when the service switch is pressed when connected to a telephone line. Temporary center calling means for calling the center, the regional center writing means for writing the telephone number of the regional center supplied from the temporary center into the regional center memory, and the regional center for which the telephone number is written A pay-broadcast decoder comprising: a regional center calling means for making a call. 2. A no-ringing service memory for storing a no-ringing service flag indicating the presence or absence of a no-ringing service, and a no-ringing service writing means for writing the no-ringing service flag supplied from the temporary center to the no-ringing service memory. The pay broadcast decoder according to claim 1. 3. The pay broadcast decoder according to claim 2, further comprising display means for displaying according to the presence or absence of the no ringing service. 4. A viewing subscriber memory for storing the telephone number of the viewing subscriber, means for writing the telephone number of the viewing subscriber in the viewing subscriber memory, and viewing stored in the viewing subscriber memory 2. The pay broadcast decoder according to claim 1, further comprising means for transmitting the telephone number of the contractor to the temporary center.