JPH07123391A - Catv system, head end device and terminal equipment for video - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To integrate a sound notice system and a CATV system for video. CONSTITUTION:The head end device 1 of a CATV system is provided with a sound notice transmitter 5, a television modulator 11 modulating a notice sound signal and an FM modulator 13. Sound notice data is made to transmit to the CATV system via an external interface 8 and a CPU 9 for video system control and the data is outputted from a data modulator 12. A coaxial cable 2 constituting the transmission line of the CATV is connected to the television receiver connected to a terminal equipment for sound notice and a terminal equipment for video. If the sound notice is required based on sound notice control data, a superimposition is performed on the screen of a receiver. Thus, a sound notice system and the CATV system is integrated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a CATV system including a voice notification system, a head end device used for the CATV system, and a video terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a voice notification system for transmitting a voice signal from a plurality of slave stations to a plurality of voice notification terminals via a coaxial cable has been put into practical use. In the voice notification system, when the voice information is transmitted from the slave station by designating the address of the slave station to be transmitted and the address of the voice notification terminal device of the recipient, the signal is re-established from the headend side. Transmitted to the vessel. The voice notification terminal device outputs this signal as a voice signal when voice data corresponding to its own address is being transmitted.
A CATV system that distributes video signals to homes and the like has also been put into practical use at the same time.

[0003]

However, the conventional voice notification system and CATV system are independent of each other, and they have not been made common by using the same transmission line. It is a technical object of the present invention to combine a conventional voice notification system and a CATV system so that voice notification and video signal delivery can be performed simultaneously on one transmission path.

[0004]

According to the invention of claim 1 of the present application, a headend device connected to a bidirectional CATV transmission line, a plurality of voice announcement slave stations connected to the bidirectional CATV transmission line, and a plurality of voice announcement slave stations connected to the bidirectional CATV transmission line. Voice announcement terminal and two-way CAT
A plurality of video terminals connected to the V transmission line,
In a CATV system configured by connecting a television receiver to a video terminal device, a headend device includes a voice notification receiver for receiving a notification voice signal and voice notification data from a voice notification slave station. , First voice notification control data conversion means for converting the voice notification data into first voice notification control data including a notification number indicating a specific voice notification terminal, a notification voice signal and first voice notification control data A voice announcement transmitter for transmitting the first voice announcement control data converted by the converting means to the bidirectional CATV transmission line, and a plurality of channels of television signals including channels for which the voice signals are announcement voice signals are modulated. Television signal transmitting means for transmitting to the bidirectional CATV transmission path, and voice announcement data into second voice announcement control data including a notice number indicating a specific video terminal. And a data modulator for modulating the second voice announcement control data and transmitting the modulated second voice announcement control data to the two-way CATV transmission line. A filter section for separating the television signal obtained via the CATV transmission line and the modulated second voice announcement control data, and a selection for selecting a specific channel from the television signal separated by the filter section. A local section, demodulation means for demodulating the video signal and audio signal received from the channel selection section and outputting them to the television receiver, a data demodulation section for demodulating second audio notification control data obtained by the filter section, and data Discrimination means for discriminating whether or not the announcement number of the second voice announcement control data demodulated by the demodulation section matches the announcement number of the video terminal, and the discrimination means It is characterized in that it comprises a display control unit for displaying the implementation of voice announcements to the image being displayed at the time of matching.

The invention of claim 2 of the present application is the bidirectional CATV.
Head-end device connected to the transmission line and bidirectional CAT
A plurality of audio notification slave stations and a plurality of audio notification terminal devices connected to the V transmission line, and a plurality of video terminal devices connected to the bidirectional CATV transmission line. A head end device used in a CATV system configured by connecting a television receiver, which is a voice announcement receiver for receiving a voice announcement signal and voice announcement data from a voice announcement slave station, and voice announcement data. Is converted into first voice notification control data converting means including a notification number indicating a specific voice notification terminal, and converted by a notification voice signal and first voice notification control data converting means. A voice announcement transmitter for transmitting the generated first voice announcement control data to a bidirectional CATV transmission line, and a multi-channel television signal including a channel in which the voice signal is the announcement voice signal. Television signal sending means for transmitting to the bidirectional CATV transmission line, and second sound notification control data conversion means for converting the sound notification data into second sound notification control data including a notification number indicating a specific video terminal. When,
And a data modulator for modulating the second voice notification control data and transmitting the modulated data to the bidirectional CATV transmission line.

The invention of claim 3 of the present application is directed to a bidirectional CATV.
Head-end device connected to the transmission line and bidirectional CAT
A plurality of audio notification slave stations and a plurality of audio notification terminal devices connected to the V transmission line, and a plurality of video terminal devices connected to the bidirectional CATV transmission line. A video terminal used in a CATV system configured by connecting a television receiver, wherein a television signal obtained via a bidirectional CATV transmission line and modulated second audio notification control data are provided. A filter section for separating, a channel selecting section for selecting a specific channel from the television signals separated by the filter section, and a video signal and an audio signal received from the channel selecting section for demodulating and outputting them to a television receiver. Second demodulator obtained from demodulation means and filter section
A data demodulation unit that demodulates the voice notification control data of No. 1, and a determination unit that determines whether the notification number of the second voice notification control data demodulated by the data demodulation unit matches the notification number of the video terminal device. And a display control unit that displays the execution of the voice notification on the image being displayed when the determination made by the determination unit matches.

According to the invention of claim 4 of the present application, the CATV system is configured by connecting the FM receiver to the video terminal device, and the headend device receives the notification voice signal received by the voice notification receiver. The video terminal includes an FM modulator that modulates and transmits to the bidirectional CATV transmission line, and the video terminal device turns on the power of the FM receiver connected to the video terminal device when the discrimination by the discriminating means coincides, The reception frequency is F
And a control signal output unit for controlling so as to match the modulation frequency of the M modulator.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the headend device includes an FM modulator that FM-modulates the notification voice signal received by the voice notification receiver and transmits the signal to the bidirectional CATV transmission line. To do.

According to the invention of claim 6 of the present application, the video terminal device turns on the power of the FM receiver connected to the video terminal device when the discrimination by the discriminating means coincides, and the reception frequency is F.
It is characterized by including a control signal output unit for controlling so as to match the modulation frequency of the M modulator.

[0010]

According to the inventions of claims 1 to 3 having the above characteristics, when the voice announcement broadcast is performed from the voice announcement slave station, the announcement voice signal and the voice announcement data are transmitted to the headend device. . In the head-end device, this is received by the voice notification receiver, converted into the first voice notification control data containing the notification number indicating the voice notification terminal, and transmitted from the voice notification transmitter together with the notification voice signal. At the same time, an audio signal of a specific channel of the television signal is modulated as an announcement audio signal together with other television signals and output, and second audio announcement control data including an announcement number indicating a specific video terminal is data-modulated. Output. The voice announcement terminal device issues a notice voice signal if it matches its own announcement number. Further, the video terminal device determines whether or not the second voice notification control data matches its own notification number by the determination means, and when they match, displays the voice notification execution on the image being displayed and notifies the viewer of the voice notification. It shows that broadcasting is being performed.

According to the inventions of claims 4 to 6, a CATV system is configured by adding an FM receiver thereto, and the headend device FM-modulates the announcement voice signal to obtain a CTV system.
It is transmitted to the ATV transmission line. The video terminal performs an audio announcement broadcast, and when the announcement number coincides with itself, the FM receiver is forcibly turned on so that this broadcast can be received.

[0012]

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a head end device 1 of a CATV system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this CATV system, a coaxial cable 2 forming a transmission line is connected to a mixer 3. A voice notification receiver 4 is connected to the mixer 3. The voice notification receiver 4 is a receiver that receives a voice notification signal and voice notification data transmitted from a voice notification slave station (not shown) connected to the coaxial cable 2. The voice notification data includes the number of the slave station that is the oscillation source, the address of the voice notification terminal to which the notification voice signal is to be delivered, the group number, and the like. The voice notification receiver 4 receives and demodulates this signal.
The notification audio signal is input to the audio notification transmitter 5, and the audio notification data is input to the audio notification interface 6. The voice notification interface 6 inputs this data to the voice notification control CPU 7. The voice notification control CPU 7 converts this data into first voice notification control data including a notification number which is a reception permission signal of a specific voice notification terminal, and the voice notification control data is a voice notification transmitter. 5 is output. The voice notification transmitter 5 modulates the voice notification signal and the voice notification control data by, for example, PCM, high-frequency modulates and transmits to the respective voice notification terminals connected to the mixer 3 and the coaxial cable 2. is there. The above is the same as that of the head end device of the usual voice notification system. Here, the CPU 7 for voice notification control constitutes a first voice notification control data conversion means for converting the voice notification data into the first voice notification control data.

In the present embodiment, the voice notification data is output from the voice notification interface 6 to the external interface 8. The external interface 8 converts this data into second audio notification control data matched with the CATV system video signal, as will be described later, and the output is output to the video system control CPU 9. Further, since this head end device 1 also serves as the transmission station of the CATV system, it has a video transmitter 10 for transmitting a video signal. The video transmitter 10 transmits video signals and audio signals of a large number of channels, and the output thereof is output to the television modulator 11. TV modulator 1
1 modulates the television signals of the respective channels at different frequencies, multiplexes them on the frequency axis and outputs them via the mixer 3, and the voice announcement data received by the voice announcement receiver 4 is also of the different channels at the same time. The audio signal is multiplexed and output on the frequency axis. The video system control CPU 9 also supplies the second voice announcement control data to the data modulator 12. The data modulator 12 FSK-modulates this signal, for example, and transmits it to the CATV transmission line through the mixer 3 using a carrier having a frequency different from that of the television signal or the announcement voice signal. Further, the voice notification data output from the voice notification receiver 4 is given to the FM modulator 13. The FM modulator 13 FM-modulates this signal at a predetermined frequency in the FM broadcast band, and outputs it to each terminal via the mixer 3.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the external interface 8. The voice notification data is input from the voice notification interface 6 to the input terminal of the external interface 8. The receiver unit 14 receives this signal once,
The signal is converted into a parallel signal by serial / parallel conversion, and its output is given to the conversion unit 15. The conversion unit 15 stores a read-only memory (R) for storing a conversion table for converting the voice notification control data for CATV.
OM) 16 is connected. The conversion unit 15 is this ROM
The voice notification data input based on the data of 1 is converted into the second voice notification control data. The second voice notification control data is control data including a notification number indicating the video terminal device that should receive the voice notification, and its output is sent via the data buffer 17 to the video system control CP.
It is output to U9. The video system control CPU 9 outputs the second voice notification control data to the data modulator 12 in synchronization with another system, and constitutes the second voice notification control data conversion means together with the external interface 8. is doing.

FIG. 3 shows a transmission line composed of the coaxial cable 2 and a terminal device connected to this transmission line. A plurality of bidirectional amplifiers 21 are connected to the coaxial cable 2,
A plurality of tap-offs 22 and distributors 23 are provided on the transmission line. A video terminal 24 and an FM receiver 25 are connected to the distributor 23. The video terminal 24 outputs the video signal to the television receiver 26, and when the signal of the control data modulated by the data modulator 12 is input, it is determined whether the signal is the notification number of the terminal and the control signal is sent. Is output to the FM receiver 25. A plurality of voice announcement terminals 27 and voice announcement slave stations 28 are connected to the tap-off 22. The voice notification terminal 27 outputs a voice signal when a notification voice signal corresponding to its own address is being transmitted. The voice notification slave station 28 sends voice notification data and a notification voice signal to the headend device 1 via the coaxial cable 2 which is a transmission path.

Next, the detailed structure of the video terminal 24 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4, the transmitted signal is input from the coaxial cable 2 to the tuner 31 of the video terminal device via the distributor 23. Tuner 31
Is composed of a filter unit 32 and a channel selection unit 33. The filter unit 32 separates the reception band of the TV signal and the frequency band modulated by the data modulator 12, and supplies only the TV signal to the channel selection unit 33. The channel selection unit 33 selects a channel of the TV signal according to the user's selection, converts the selected channel into an intermediate frequency signal, and outputs the intermediate frequency signal to the descrambling unit 34. When the TV signal is scrambled, the descrambler 34 descrambles the TV signal using a predetermined code, and supplies the output to the demodulator 35. The demodulation unit 35 demodulates this signal to separate it into a video signal V and an audio signal A, and the audio signal A is connected to the terminal 3
6 and the display control section 37, and constitutes a demodulation means together with the descrambling section 34. When the notification signal is received and the notification processing is performed, the display control unit 37 displays the fact that the notification broadcast is being performed and the channel thereof to the viewer by superimposing or the like. Output is output terminal 36
And output to the RF modulator 38. The RF modulator 38 modulates the video signal V obtained from the display controller 37 and the demodulated audio signal A from the demodulator 35 into a predetermined channel of the television receiver 26 and outputs it from a terminal 39. Depending on the type of the television receiver 26, the baseband audio and video A, V signals may be directly output to the television receiver 26, and the RF modulator 38 once converted into the high frequency signal of the television.
The output end of the may be connected to the television receiver 26.

On the other hand, the second voice announcement control data separated by the filter unit 32 is output to the data demodulation unit 40. The data demodulation section 40 demodulates this signal, and its output is given to the CPU 41. The CPU 41 is a determination unit that decodes the second voice notification control data and determines whether or not the notification number set in its own video terminal matches the received notification number. If they do not match, the notification process is not performed, and if they match, a match signal is output to perform the notification process. The notification process is a process of outputting a control signal to the display control unit 37 to add a superimpose to the effect that the audio notification broadcast is being performed to the video signal V, and a match signal to the control signal output unit 42. Output. The FM receiver 25 shown in FIG. 3 is connected to the control signal output unit 42 via the terminal 43. The control signal output unit 42 turns on the power of the FM receiver 25 when the coincidence signal is output from the CPU 41, and controls the reception frequency to match the voice announcement broadcast.
If the power of the FM receiver 25 is already in the ON state, the reception frequency is controlled so as to match with the voice announcement broadcast. The frequency of the voice announcement broadcast is the frequency modulated by the FM modulator 13 of the headend device 1 shown in FIG. In this way, the voice notification system and the video system can be integrally configured via the same transmission path.

When voice announcement is made, first, the voice announcement slave station 28 outputs a voice announcement signal and voice announcement data. Then, it is received by the voice announcement receiver 4 of the headend device 1 via the coaxial cable 2, and the voice signal is output to the voice announcement transmitter 5, the television modulator 11, and the FM modulator 13. Then, the voice announcement data is output to the voice announcement transmitter 5 as the first voice announcement control data, and at the same time, as the second voice announcement control data according to the transmission speed and the protocol of the CATV system via the external interface 8, the data modulator. It is output from 12. Therefore, when this signal is received by the normal voice notification terminal 27 and the notification numbers match, voice notification is performed, and the data demodulator 40 of the video terminal 24 also demodulates and decodes this data. The CPU 41 outputs a match signal only when the notification number matches the notification number. In response to this coincidence signal, the fact that the voice notification is performed and the channel are superimposed on the screen, and at the same time, the power is forcibly turned on through the FM receiver 25 to adjust the frequency to realize the voice notification.

In this embodiment, the notification number included in the first and second voice notification control data is directly transmitted as the unique number of each voice notification terminal device or video terminal device. It goes without saying that the voice notification terminals may be divided into groups and whether or not there is a match may be determined for each group.

Further, in this embodiment, the voice announcement slave station transmits the voice announcement signal and the voice announcement data to the headend device,
Although the signal for voice notification is transmitted again from the headend device, it is also possible to directly transmit the voice notification data and the notification voice signal from the headend device.

[0021]

As described in detail above, according to the inventions of claims 1 to 3 of the present application, the voice notification system and the CATV system already installed can coexist. Therefore, a video can be added to the existing audio announcement broadcast, or an audio notification system can be added to the existing CATV system, and the added value of the system can be improved. Further, since the television receiver is used, it is possible to visually notify the viewer of the audio notification broadcast even when the television receiver is being viewed, and an excellent notification system is realized.

Further, in the inventions of claims 4 to 6 of the present application, in addition to this, an FM receiver is added to the video terminal device to connect the FM terminal to the video terminal device if voice announcement broadcasting is performed. Since the notification audio signal is automatically received from the receiver, only the audio can be received even when the power of the television receiver is off, and an excellent notification system is realized. Is obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a headend device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an external interface in the headend device of this embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram of the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a video terminal of the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Headend Device 2 Coaxial Cable 3 Mixer 4 Voice Announcement Receiver 5 Voice Announcement Transmitter 6 Voice Announcement Interface 7 Voice Announcement Control CPU 8 External Interface 9 Video System Control CPU 10 Video Transmitter 11 Television Modulator 12 Data Modulation Device 13 FM modulator 14 Receiver unit 15 Converter unit 16 ROM 17 Data buffer unit 21 Bidirectional amplifier 22 Tap-off 23 Distributor 24 Video terminal 25 FM receiver 26 Television receiver 27 Audio announcement terminal 28 Audio announcement Slave station 31 Tuner 32 Filter section 33 Tuning section 34 Descramble section 35 Demodulation section 37 Display control section 38 RF modulation section 40 Data demodulation section 41 CPU 42 Control signal output section

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A headend device connected to a bidirectional CATV transmission line, a plurality of voice announcement slave stations and a plurality of voice announcement terminals connected to the bidirectional CATV transmission line, and the bidirectional CATV. A CATV system, comprising: a plurality of video terminals connected to a transmission path; and a television receiver connected to the video terminals, wherein the headend device includes the audio notification. A voice notification receiver that receives a voice signal and voice notification data from the slave station, and converts the voice notification data into first voice notification control data including a notification number indicating the specific voice notification terminal device. First
Voice notification control data conversion means, and a voice notification transmitter for transmitting the notification voice signal and the first voice notification control data converted by the first voice notification control data conversion means to the bidirectional CATV transmission path. And the two-way CA by modulating television signals of a plurality of channels including a channel in which the audio signal is a notification audio signal.
Television signal transmitting means for transmitting to a TV transmission line, and second for converting the voice notification data into second voice notification control data including a notification number indicating the specific video terminal device.
Voice announcement control data conversion means for modulating the second voice announcement control data, and the bidirectional C
A data modulator for transmitting to an ATV transmission line, wherein the video terminal device has a television signal obtained via the bidirectional CATV transmission line and modulated second voice notification control data. A television receiver that demodulates a video signal and an audio signal received from the channel selection section, a channel selection section that selects a specific channel from the television signals separated by the filter section, A demodulation means for outputting the second audio announcement control data obtained by the filter section, a demodulation section for demodulating the second audio announcement control data obtained by the filter section, and an announcement number of the second audio announcement control data demodulated by the data demodulating section A discriminating means for discriminating whether or not it coincides with the notification number of the terminal, and a display system for displaying the execution of the voice notice on the image being displayed when the discrimination by the discriminating means coincides. A CATV system characterized by comprising a control section. 2. A headend device connected to a bidirectional CATV transmission line, a plurality of voice announcement slave stations and a plurality of voice announcement terminals connected to the bidirectional CATV transmission line, and the bidirectional CATV. A head-end device for use in a CATV system, comprising: a plurality of video terminals connected to a transmission path; and a television receiver connected to the video terminals. A voice notification receiver that receives a voice signal and voice notification data from the slave station, and converts the voice notification data into first voice notification control data including a notification number indicating the specific voice notification terminal device. First
Voice notification control data conversion means, and a voice notification transmitter for transmitting the notification voice signal and the first voice notification control data converted by the first voice notification control data conversion means to the bidirectional CATV transmission path. And the two-way CA by modulating television signals of a plurality of channels including a channel in which the audio signal is a notification audio signal.
Television signal transmitting means for transmitting to a TV transmission line, and second for converting the voice notification data into second voice notification control data including a notification number indicating the specific video terminal device.
Voice announcement control data conversion means for modulating the second voice announcement control data, and the bidirectional C
A data modulator for transmitting to an ATV transmission path, the headend device. 3. A headend device connected to a bidirectional CATV transmission line, a plurality of voice announcement slave stations and a plurality of voice announcement terminals connected to the bidirectional CATV transmission line, and the bidirectional CATV. A plurality of video terminals connected to a transmission path, the video terminals used in a CATV system configured by connecting a television receiver to the video terminals; A filter section for separating a television signal obtained via a CATV transmission line for transmission from the modulated second voice notification control data, and a specific channel is selected from the television signals separated by the filter section. A channel selection section, demodulation means for demodulating the video signal and the audio signal received from the channel selection section and outputting them to a television receiver; and a second audio notification obtained by the filter section. A data demodulation unit for demodulating the control data; a determination unit for determining whether the notification number of the second voice notification control data demodulated by the data demodulation unit matches the notification number of the video terminal device; A video terminal device, comprising: a display control unit that displays the execution of voice notification on the image being displayed when the determinations made by the determination unit match. 4. A CATV system is configured by connecting an FM receiver to the video terminal device, and the headend device FM-modulates the notification audio signal received by the audio notification receiver to perform the modulation. Bidirectional CAT
An FM modulator for transmitting to a V transmission line is included, and the video terminal device turns on the power of the FM receiver connected to the video terminal device when the discrimination by the discriminating means coincides, and the reception frequency thereof. 2. The CATV system according to claim 1, further comprising: a control signal output unit that controls so as to match the modulation frequency of the FM modulator. 5. The head-end device includes an FM modulator that FM-modulates a notification voice signal received by the voice notification receiver and transmits the FM-modulated notification voice signal to the bidirectional CATV transmission path. The headend device according to 2. 6. The video terminal turns on the power of an FM receiver connected to the video terminal when the judgments made by the judging means coincide with each other, and adjusts the reception frequency thereof to the modulation frequency of the FM modulator. 4. The video terminal according to claim 3, further comprising a control signal output section for controlling as described above.