WO2008083512A1

WO2008083512A1 - Method for controlling set top boxand system thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2008083512A1
Application number: PCT/CN2006/003383
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kamfu Wong
Original assignee: Kamfu Wong
Priority date: 2006-12-13
Filing date: 2006-12-13
Publication date: 2008-07-17
Also published as: CN101563919A; CN101563919B

Abstract

A TV Set Top Box system includes: a TV STB (1), for receiving TV broadcast signal from TV station (5), an restoring TV program data stream so as to present to users via TV set (4) after decoding TV broadcast program signal a STB control center (2), for remote controlling TV STB (1), which includes: remote controlling TV STB (1) to switch channel, playing designate information, recording a fragment of a designate channel, playing a fragment of a designate movie and playing a designate letter information; communication network (3), including an AM/FM broadcast, a call network, a mobile telephone network, a wireless TV broadcast network, a WIFInetwork and a WIMAX network; TV station (5), including a TV station of wireless TV broadcast, a TV station of cable TV broadcast, a TV station of satellite broadcast and a TV station of IPTV which transmits information via Internet. A method for controlling TV STB, a method for controlling TV STB to play advertisement and a charge control method for controlling TV STB to play charged program are disclosed.

Description

Method and system for controlling set top box reception

[Technical Field]

The present invention relates to the field of communication and television broadcasting, and in particular to a technology for controlling a television set top box. 【technical background】

At present, general satellite television broadcasting uses artificial satellites to forward television broadcasting signals. Since the communication coverage of artificial satellites is very large, it can generally cover multiple countries and regions. The broadcasting signals transmitted by one artificial satellite can be in multiple different languages. Ethnic and religious countries have received that, because people of different countries have different religious beliefs, different living habits and different political environments, some TV programs suitable for domestic broadcasting are not suitable for broadcasting in another country, such as alcoholic introduction. TV shows can be broadcast in China, but if the show is arranged in a country that believes in Islam, it will definitely cause opposition from the people of these countries. For example, the clothing of women in the Middle East is generally more conservative. If some women's beauty page shows are broadcast in these areas, and some women in sexy clothes will be shown, it will definitely arouse the people of the region. For example, some politically-oriented TV programs are particularly prone to emotional reactions in some other countries. Therefore, governments in many countries and regions have strict regulations on satellite TV broadcasting, especially the ideology of TV programs is very strict. The country does not even allow people to install satellite TV receivers. It is not allowed to watch certain TV programs. Some sensitive TV programs are not allowed to be broadcast on satellite TV. Some TV programs that could have been broadcast in one country, due to neighboring countries. The opposition, in order to prevent people in neighboring countries from receiving these TV shows caused a storm, was forced to ban these programs.

Because satellite TV broadcasting covers a very large area, it can cover more than a dozen different countries and regions. However, countries have different standards for ideology control. If every satellite TV program is required, it will not dispute other countries. There will be a lot of restrictions on the content of the program, which greatly affects the production and playback of TV programs. Moreover, in some countries and regions, because neighboring countries broadcast satellite TV programs that are not acceptable to the country through satellite television, they cannot prevent the broadcasting of the satellite TV programs in their own countries. These countries have lost satellites broadcasting in their own countries. The control of television program broadcasting, so it is only forbidden for the people of the country to watch all satellite TV programs to prevent the programs broadcast in these neighboring countries from appearing in the country, so that the local people lose the right to watch satellite TV programs without normal ideological problems. It is a problem that needs to be solved. :

Even in general television broadcasting, including wireless television broadcasting, cable television broadcasting, broadband television broadcasting, etc., the television station transmits the signal of the television program to the user's television through a broadcast mode, and after the television receives the signal, the television broadcast program signal is decoded and restored. The TV program data stream is then played to the user. All TVs watching the same channel program will broadcast the same content, including program content and advertising content, but some programs may not be suitable for all viewers.

Confirmation Look, national TV stations such as CCTV, the program will be broadcast to different provinces and cities across the country to watch. When playing alcohol advertisements, many ethnic minorities who believe in Islam will be unhappy when they see these advertisements. Because of their beliefs, Many ethnic minorities who believe in Islam do not like to watch these advertisements. If they can broadcast alcoholic advertisements in Central Asia, they will be able to play the favorite of ethnic minorities who believe in Islam. Advertising, while in other regions CCTV still broadcasts the original advertisements, it will certainly be welcomed by ethnic minorities who believe in Islam.

In different provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions across the country, customs and habits vary widely. Some cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, or some coastal cities are generally open. People are used to receiving new things, especially some content or subject matter comparison. Avant-garde or controversial TV shows, because these cities are already open, people are used to it, and they don't feel any problem, but the same TV shows are broadcast in some rural areas or some ethnic minority areas. People in these areas When you see these TV shows, you may feel uneasy and even disgusted. It is necessary to control the TV programs broadcast in each region and only play the programs that people in the region can accept without affecting other regions. solved problem.

[Summary of the Invention]

The object of the present invention is to provide a television set-top box system, which can control the programs allowed to be played by each set-top box, and can control each set-top box through the set-top box control center, so that each set-top box can be turned to the designated time during the advertising time. Ad channel or play the specified ad clip.

The object of the present invention is achieved by a television set top box system, characterized in that the system comprises a set top box (1), a set top box control center (2), a communication network (3), a television set (4) , TV station (5), etc.

among them,

The television set top box (1) is configured to receive a television broadcast program signal sent by the television station (5), decode the television broadcast program signal, and restore the television program data stream, and then play it to the user through the television (4).

The set-top box control center (2) is used for remote control of the TV set-top box (1), including the 3⁄4 control set-top box (1) turntable, playing the specified information, recording the specified channel clips, playing the specified movie clips, playing the specified text Information, etc.

The communication network (3) includes AM/FM broadcasting, paging network, mobile phone network, wireless television broadcasting network, WIFI network, WIMAX network, etc.

The television station (5) includes a television station using wireless television broadcasting, a television station using cable television broadcasting, a television station using satellite broadcasting, and a television station transmitting IPTV via the Internet. as well as,

The structure of the set top box (1) includes a turntable controller (101), a storage device (102), a teletext signal decoder (103), in addition to the components and functions of the general set top box. Pager (104), radio (105), mobile (106), wireless network receiver (107),

among them,

The turntable controller (101) is mainly used for controlling the play channel of the set top box (1), and when the user uses the set top box (1) to play the television program, the television is controlled according to the content of the control information (109) in the storage device (102). The content of the set-top box (1),

The storage device (102) is mainly used for storing control commands, movie segments, sound segments and text information, and the teletext signal decoder (103) is mainly used for receiving pictures sent by the set top box control center (2) through the wireless television broadcast network. The text television signal, decoding restores the control command issued by the set-top box control center (2),

The pager (104) is mainly used for receiving a control command signal sent by the set top box control center (2) through the paging network, and decoding and restoring the control command issued by the set top box control center (2).

The radio (105) is mainly used to receive the control command signal sent by the set-top box control center (2) through the AM/FM digital broadcast, and decode and restore the control command issued by the set-top box control center (2).

The mobile phone (106) is mainly used for receiving control instruction information sent by the set top box control center (2) through the mobile telephone network, and decoding and restoring the control command issued by the set top box control center (2).

The wireless network receiver (107) is mainly used for receiving control command information sent by the set top box control center (2) through the WIFI network or the WIMAX network, and decoding and restoring the control command issued by the set top box control center (2).

as well as,

The storage device (102) includes a turntable control storage area (1021), a movie clip storage area (1022), a sound clip storage area (1023), a short message storage area (1024), and an address code storage area (1025).

among them,

The control information (109) of all channels is stored in the turntable control storage area (1021), and the control information (109) includes a channel number (1091), a channel name (1092), a channel decoded password (1093), and a channel transfer. The target (1094) and the like, the content of the channel transfer destination (1094) may be a channel number (1091) or a movie clip number or a sound clip number or a text information number, etc.; when the user uses the television set-top box (1) to watch the television program When the set-top box (1) automatically finds the control information (109) of the channel being viewed in the turntable control storage area (1021), the set-top box (1) will automatically turn the table according to the content of the control information (109). The channel of the channel number (1091) specified in the channel transfer destination (1094) of the control information (109), or the set-top box (1) of the control set information (109) automatically plays the control information according to the content of the control information (109) (109) ) in the channel transfer target (1094) The movie of the determined movie clip number, or the set-top box (1), automatically plays the sound of the sound clip number specified in the channel transfer destination (1094) of the control information (109) according to the content of the control information (109). Or the television set top box (1) automatically displays the text information content of the text information number specified in the channel transfer destination (1094) of the control information (109) according to the content of the control information (109); When the content of the channel transfer destination (1094) is blank, the TV set-top box (1) will immediately play the program of the channel, and will not transfer to other channels;

The movie clip storage area (1022) is used to store a movie clip of a television program, and each movie clip has a movie clip number as an index number.

The sound segment storage area (1023) is configured to store sound segments of the television program, and each sound segment has a sound segment number as an index number.

The short message storage area (1024) is used for storing short messages sent by the set top box control center (2) to the set top box (1) through the communication network (3), and each short message has a text information number as an index number.

The address code storage area (1025) stores an address code (108) of the set top box (1) itself, including a unique private address code (1081), and a plurality of grouped packet address codes (1082), and one The public address code (1083) shared by the TV set-top box (1), all control commands issued from the set-top box control center (2) will contain an address code (108), and the TV set-top box (1) will only process the inclusion of itself and Control instruction for the same address code (108) in the address code storage area (1025). The address code (108) is divided into different groups according to different TV set-top boxes (1), the TV set-top box (1) of the same group has the same one-packet address code (1082), and the set-top box control center (2) can pass different groups. The address code (1082) simultaneously controls a plurality of set-top boxes (1) in the same group, and the set-top box control center (2) can also control a designated set-top box (1) by a private address code (1081), or by a public address code ( 1083) - Controls all TV set-top boxes (1). Each TV set-top box (1) can simultaneously store a plurality of different packet address codes (1082), and the method for allocating the group address codes (1082) can be based on the installation address of the set-top box (1) and the user's personal attributes or account attributes. The factors are allocated so that the set-top box control center (2) can be controlled and managed by the set-top box (1).

And, a method of controlling a television set top box, the method comprising the steps of providing a system and apparatus as described above.

And adopting such a method for controlling a television set top box, characterized in that the method adopts a turntable method, and the set top box control center (2) issues a control command to the set top box (1) through the communication network (3), and controls the designated play. a channel program and having a set top box (1) of a specified address code (108), transferring the channel being played to the channel specified by the control command, or converting to a movie of the movie clip number specified by the control command or The sound of the sound clip number, as well as,

The set-top box control center (2) sends a control command to the set-top box (1) through the communication network (3) to control the set-top box (1) of the specified address code (108) that is not playing the designated channel program, and will be within the control command The control information (109) is stored in the turntable control storage area (1021). When the user views the specified channel program using the television set top box (1), the set top box (1) will automatically transfer to the control command as specified by the control command. The channel, or the sound of the movie or sound clip number of the movie clip number specified by the control command.

The advantage of the present invention is that since the set top box control center (2) can control the set top box (1) to the designated channel by issuing a control command to each set top box (1), the set top box control center (2) can be different. The TV set-top box (1) decides to turn the TV set-top box (1) to the TV program that plays that channel according to the region and the user's personal attributes. With this turntable method, the set-top box control center (2) can be used for different regions. Whether the user can watch a certain program to control, and further turn the TV set-top box (1) of users in different regions to different advertising channels at the beginning of the advertising time, that is, when the user watches the nationally broadcasted television program, You can see the advertisements in the area where you are located, which can greatly improve the effectiveness of advertising.

The invention can also strengthen the government's ideology control of the content of the television program. After adopting the invention, the governments of the country can control the national television set-top box (1) through the set-top box control center (2), so that the national television set-top box (1) only Broadcast satellite TV programs allowed by the national government, so that neighboring countries will not affect the people of the country by broadcasting satellite TV programs with different ideological standards, different political orientations, different religious beliefs, etc., avoiding conflicts and contradictions, and reducing the occurrence. The danger of war makes the satellite TV programs of all countries coexist peacefully.

[Description of the Drawings]

Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of a television set top box system of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a diagram showing the basic configuration of a television set top box (1) of the present invention;

In the figures, the same numerals represent the same systems, devices, and components. The drawings are schematic to illustrate the main steps of the construction and method of the system of the present invention.

【detailed description】

The method of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a basic structural explanatory diagram of a television set top box system of the present invention, which includes a television set top box (1), a set top box control center (2), a communication network (3), and a television set (4). , TV station (5), satellite (601), satellite TV tuner (602), etc. In the present invention, the communication network (3) may include an AM/FM broadcast network, a paging network, a mobile phone network, a CCTV (ie, a wireless television broadcast network), a WIFI network, a WIMAX network, an Internet, etc., and a television station. (5) Includes television stations using radio and television broadcasting, television stations using cable television broadcasting, television stations using satellite broadcasting, and television stations transmitting IPTV over the Internet, or through other broadcasting stations (5).

Continuing to refer to Figure 1, Figure 1 shows that the set-top box control center (2) is connected to each TV station (5) using a dotted line, indicating that this is not a necessary connection, and each television station (5) can turn on the TV program according to its own needs. The decoding password (1093) is transmitted to the set top box control center (2), and then the set top box control center (2) transmits the decoding password (1093) to the designated set top box (1), and the set top box (1) The decoding password (1093) decodes the television program and plays it to the user for viewing. The television station (5) may also not transmit the decoding password (1093) to the set-top box control center (2), so that the television set-top box (1) cannot be used for the television station. (5) The television program is decoded and played to the user for viewing, or the television station (5) may not transmit the decoding password (1093) to the set-top box control center (2), and the television program is not encrypted, such that the set-top box control center (2) ) The decoding password (1093) of the blank content can be transmitted to the designated TV set-top box (1), and the TV set-top box (1) is received in the blank. The decoding password (1093), knowing that the TV program is not encrypted, can be directly played to the user to watch, or the set-top box control center (2) can transmit an incorrect decoding password (1093) to the designated television. The set-top box (1), the set-top box (1) of the television set can also not decode and broadcast the television program of the television station (5) to the user. The set-top box control center (2) can control the TV set-top box (1) under its jurisdiction. If the TV station (5) wants to play its own program to the user, it must cooperate with the set-top box control center (2) to pre-decode. The password (1093) is transmitted to the set-top box control center (2). If the TV station (5) does not cooperate, the set-top box control center J2) does not issue the correct decoding password (1093) to the TV set-top box (1) under its jurisdiction, so that the TV station (5) The program being broadcast cannot be received by the user's TV set-top box (1), and the cooperation between the TV station (5) and the set-top box control center (2) is that the TV station (5) has a set-top box control center (2), so the TV station (5) - will be self-disciplined, will not play some set-top box control center (2) programs that are not allowed to play.

Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 is a basic structural explanatory diagram of a television set top box (1) according to the present invention. The television set top box (1) shown in the figure has a turntable controller in addition to the components and functions of a general television set top box. (101), storage device (102), teletext signal decoder (103), pager (104), radio (105), mobile phone (106), wireless network receiver (107), etc., wherein the teletext signal The decoder (103), the pager (104), the radio (105), the mobile phone (106), the wireless network receiver (107) and the like are mainly used to receive the control commands issued by the set top box control center (2), the set top box control center (2) The control command can be transmitted to the set-top box (1) via the communication network (3) using one of the following transmission methods: 1. Transfer the control command to the radio (105) of the TV set-top box (1) via AM/FM digital sound broadcasting (DAB) in text message mode;

2. Through the paging network, the paging command transmits the control command to the pager (104) of the set-top box (1) through the paging network;

3. In the teletext signal mode, superimpose the signal of the control command on the television broadcast signal and transmit it to the teletext signal decoder of the set-top box (1) through the network of radio broadcast or cable television broadcast.

(103);

4. The control command is transmitted to the mobile phone (106) of the set-top box (1) through the mobile phone network, wherein the control command can be transmitted to the mobile phone by means of SMS (SMS) or MMS or GPRS Internet access (106) ;

5. Superimpose the signal of the control command on the TV broadcast signal and transmit it to the TV set-top box (1) through the digital TV broadcast signal;

6. Transfer control commands to the TV set-top box via the internet (1);

7. Transfer the control commands to the TV set-top box ( 1 ) via the WIFI network or WIMAX network.

The set-top box control center (2) can use one of the above methods of transmission according to its own conditions, for example, through an existing AM/FM radio station, such as the Central People’s Broadcasting Station or a local radio station. The control command is transmitted to the radio (105) of the set-top box (1) by means of AM/FM digital sound broadcasting (DAB) in text information, and the broadcast signal is decoded by the radio (105) to restore the control command; or a television station of a wireless television broadcast, such as a CCTV, superimposes a signal of a control command on a television broadcast signal by means of a teletext signal, and decodes the teletext signal transmitted to the set-top box (1) by means of a wireless television broadcast. The device (103) decodes the broadcast signal from the teletext signal decoder (103) to restore the control command. As for the transmission method, the local set-top box control center (2) can use only one of the transmission methods depending on its own conditions, or it can also use several of the transmission methods at the same time. The transmission method can save the cost by eliminating these corresponding devices on the set top box (1).

Another feature of the set top box (1) of the present invention is that when the set top box (1) is in the off state, the set top box (1) does not output image and sound signals to the television set (4), but only the set top box (1) Connected to the power supply, even if the TV set-top box (1) is turned off, the turntable controller (101), storage device (102), teletext signal decoder (103), pager (in the TV set-top box (1) 104), radio (105), mobile phone (106), wireless network receiver (107) and other devices will still receive and process the control commands issued by the set-top box control center (2), where the radio (105) has independent The tuner receives the broadcast signal of the designated station, and the designated station is the station used by the set top box control center (2) to transmit the control command; and the teletext signal decoder (103) also has an independent tuner for receiving the designated Broadcast signal of the television station, the designated television station It is the TV station of the set-top box control center (2) for transmitting control commands, that is, the TV set-top box (1) of the present invention can have two to three tuners, one is a tuner provided in a general television set-top box, and a radio Independent tuner within (105) and an independent tuner within the teletext signal decoder (103).

The set top box control center (2) of the present invention can control the set top box (1) to the designated channel by the control command, and can also be controlled by the set top box control center (2) through the communication network (3) to the set top box (1). a command, controlling a set-top box (1) that is playing a specified channel program and having a specified address code (108), and converting the program of the channel being played to play the text information specified by the control command,

as well as,

The set-top box control center (2) sends a control command to the set-top box (1) through the communication network (3) to control the set-top box (1) of the specified address code (108) that is not playing the designated channel program, and will be within the control command The control information (109) is stored in the turntable control storage area (1021). When the user views the specified channel program using the set top box (1), the set top box (1) immediately plays the text specified by the control command. information.

For some important information, the set-top box control center (2) can send important information to the set-top box (1), including some video or text information, forcibly played to the user, using the set-top box control center (2) through the communication network. (3) issuing a control command to the set-top box (1) to control the set-top box (1) that is playing any channel program and having the specified address code (108), and transferring the program of the channel being played to the control command The channel plays important information, and after the important information is played, the user can continue to watch the TV program, and,

The set-top box control center (2) sends a control command to the set-top box (1) through the communication network (3) to control the set-top box (1) with the specified address code (108) that is in the off state, and the control information in the control command is (109) stored in the turntable control storage area (1021), and at the time specified by the control command, the turntable is assigned to the channel designated by the control command, and the important information played by the channel is recorded and stored in the storage device ( 102), before the user uses the TV set-top box (1) to boot any channel program, the TV set-top box (1) will immediately play out the important information stored in the storage device (102), and after the important information is played, the user In order to watch other TV programs.

This kind of mandatory urgent text message, as long as the user uses the TV set-top box (1), must see the urgent text message, which is most suitable for issuing some important announcements related to the user, or some important regional news.

The feature of the invention is that the set top box control center (2) can issue control commands to each set top box (1) at any time, control the set top box of the television set (1) to play on a designated channel or play a specified movie clip or play a specified sound clip, in particular It is suitable for monitoring TV programs of various TV stations (5). When a TV program is found to have problems, some content that the local government is not allowed to play is played. The set-top box control center (2) can take immediate action to control the top of each TV set. The box (1) turns to play other channel programs, or plays a specified movie clip, or plays a specified sound clip, so that the user cannot use the set-top box (1) to watch the content of the television program that the local government does not allow to play.

The invention can also be applied to playing regional personalized advertising. The set top box control center (2) can control the TV set top box (1) to record some advertisement segments and store them in the movie clip storage area (1022), and then start at the advertising time. The recorded commercial segments are broadcasted, so that advertisements of television programs that are originally played nationwide can be converted into advertisements that are played according to the region in which the user is located or the personal attributes of the user.

The set-top box control center (2) can cooperate with the advertiser to sell some advertisement segments to be played by the method of the present invention to the advertisements of the television station (5) during non-peak hours, for example, selling advertisements in the middle of the night. It is much cheaper to sell an advertisement during peak hours, as long as the advertisement is placed on the TV station (5) for several times, and the advertisement is designated for the broadcast time in the middle of the night, and then when the advertisement starts to be broadcast, the TV set-top box (1) Record the ad clip and save it. The method for recording and storing the advertisement segment is to use a set-top box control center (2) to send a control command to the set-top box (1) through the communication network (3) to control the set-top box (1) having the specified address code (108). At the time specified by the control command, that is, the time when the advertisement starts to be broadcasted, the advertisement segment of the channel specified by the control instruction or the movie or sound segment of the program is recorded and stored in the set top box (1). Inside the storage device (102).

After the advertisement segment has been stored in the set-top box (1), the set-top box control center (2) can control the set-top box (1) in the open state to play the stored advertisement segment at any time, and the most ideal playback method is at the user. When the TV set-top box (1) is turned on, the commercial segment is broadcasted, or when the advertisement of the television program that the user is watching starts to play the advertisement, the set-top box (1) plays the stored commercial segment to replace the television program that the household is watching. The advertisement played by the channel, that is, when the advertisement time of the advertisement of the television station (5) is started, the set-top box control center (2) transmits the channel specifying the television station (5) through the communication network (3) and has the designated address code. The television set-top box (1) of (108) issues a control command to control the set-top box (1) to switch the channel being played to the advertisement channel specified by the control command or the stored advertisement segment, so that the set-top box (1) Playing an advertisement segment that is different from the advertisement played by the television station (5) And, at the end of the advertising time for the television station (5) to play the advertisement, the set top box control center (2) sends a control command to the set top box (1) through the communication network (3) to control the set top box ( 1) The program of the channel played by the television station (5) before the turntable is played. The method of playing an advertisement segment stored in the set-top box (1) to replace the original advertisement in the television program can play the advertisement of the set-top box control center (2) without affecting the user watching the television program.

The advertisement can also be played by the turntable method described in the foregoing invention, and the set top box control center (2) cooperates with the television station (5) to divide several channels into advertisement channels, and the rest are program channels, wherein the advertisement channel is full day The advertisement is continuously played. When the user uses the set-top box to watch the program channel, at the beginning of the advertisement time, the set-top box control center (2) sends a control command to the set-top box (1) through the communication network (3) to control the play-by-play designation. a set-top box (1) having a designated address code (108), transferring the channel being played to the advertising channel specified by the control command, and, at the end of the advertising time of the program channel, by the set-top box control center (2) Send a control command to the set-top box (1) via the communication network (3) to control the set-top box (1) that is playing the specified advertisement channel and has the specified address code (108), and transfer the currently-played advertisement channel to the previous user. The program channel being watched.

Further, the set top box control center (2) can be based on the installation address of the set top box (1), that is, the area in which the user is located, and the personal attributes of the user, including the user's age, gender, occupation, education, hobbies, spending habits, family. Personal attribute data such as status, belief, race, nationality, wealth, etc., find out the advertisement segments corresponding to the user's personal attributes, and play them to the user for viewing. This is the method for playing the advertisements that most effectively exerts the effectiveness of the advertisement.

The invention can also be applied to the charging control aspect of the toll program. Before the charging program is played, the set top box control center (2) issues a control command to all the set top boxes (1) through the communication network (3), and instructs all the set top boxes. (1) transferring the channel of the pay program to the designated channel, so that the user cannot watch the pay program using the set top box (1), the control command includes a public address code (1083) and control information (109); The set-top box control center (2) issues a control command to the set-top box CD of all accounts that have paid the fee for the program through the communication network (3), and orders the TV set-top box (1) of the account for all paid paid program fees to cancel the The channel of the pay program is transferred to an instruction on the designated channel to enable the user to view the pay program using the set top box (1), the control command including a packet address code (1082) and control information (109).

Further, the user can use the remote controller of the set-top box (1) to select the paid program to be watched, and at the same time, the remote device can be used to confirm the payment, and the following group A steps are used to pay the fee for the paid program, which is used by the user to watch the charged program before using the set-top box (1) The remote control confirms the payment method, the specific steps are as follows -

A1. The set-top box control center (2) sends a control command to all the set-top boxes (1) through the communication network (3) before the charging program is played, instructing all the set-top boxes (1) to transfer the channels of the paid program to the designated channel. The control command includes a public address code (1083) and control information (109); A2. The set-top box (1) receives the control command in step A1, and checks the public address code in the control command (1083). After the same as the public address code (1083) stored in the set top box (1) itself, the control information (109) in the control command is stored in the turntable control storage area (1021) of the storage device (102). ;

A3. The user watches the program list of the cable TV station (5) or the satellite TV station (5) or the IPTV station (5), and uses the remote control of the TV set-top box (1) to select and confirm the paid program to be watched; A4. The set-top box (1) transmits the relevant information of the paid program to the set-top box control center (2) via the mobile phone (106) and the mobile phone network (3), requesting to watch the relevant information of the paid program selected by the user. The paid program;

A5. Set-top box control center (2) Find the phone number of the mobile phone (106) from the caller number, find the account number of the TV set-top box (1) from the phone number of the mobile phone (106), check the account balance and then deduct the payment from the account. The fee for the paid program, and then the set-top box control center (2) issues a control command to the set-top box (1) via the communication network (3), instructing the set-top box (1) to store the packet address code (1082) corresponding to the paid program. In the address code storage area (1025), the control command includes the television set top box (1) private address code (1081) and control information (109), and the control information includes a packet address code corresponding to the charged program (1082) ) ;

A6. The television set-top box (1) receives the control command in step A5, and checks that the private address code (1081) in the control command is the same as the private address code (1081) stored in the set-top box (1) itself. And storing, in the control code (109) in the control instruction, a packet address code (1082) corresponding to the charged program in the address code storage area (1025);

A7. Before the start of the paid program, the set-top box control center (2) issues a control command to the set-top box (1) of the account for all paid program charges via the communication network (3), instructing all accounts that have paid for the paid program fees. The set top box (1) updates the content of the channel transfer destination (1094) in the control information (109) stored in step A2, the control command including the packet address code (1082) and control information corresponding to the charged program ( 109), and the content of the channel transfer destination (1094) in the control information (109) is blank;

A8. The set top box (1) receives the control command in step A7, and checks that the packet address code (1082) in the control command is the same as the packet address code (1082) stored in the set top box (1) itself. Updating the control information (109) in the control command to the control information stored in step A2 (109);

A9. When the charging program is played, when the user uses the remote control to turn to the channel of the paid program to watch the program, the set-top box (1) automatically finds the control information of the viewed channel in the turntable control storage area (1021) (109) The content of the channel transfer destination (1094) is found from the control information (109). Since the content of the channel transfer destination (1094) has been updated to blank in step A6, the set-top box (1) immediately plays the program of the channel to If the user does not select to confirm the pay program to be watched in step A3, the set top box (1) will not perform the operations of step A4 to step A8, when the user uses the remote control to turn to the channel of the pay program to watch the program. , the TV set-top box (1) will automatically turn to the control in step A2 The channel designated by the channel transfer destination (1094) of the message (109) cannot be successfully viewed by the user.

Another feature of the present invention is that the government can control the channel decoded password (1093) stored in the set top box (1) through the set top box control center (2), thereby ideology of the television program content played by the television station (5). For monitoring, the television station (5) transmits the password (1093) to the set-top box control center (2) before the program starts playing, and then the set-top box control center (2) goes to the set-top box through the communication network (3) (1) Sending a control command to transmit the code (1093) of the channel decoding of the television station (5) to the set-top box (1) by the control command, and the password for decoding the channel containing the television station (5) by the set-top box (1) (1093) The control information (109) is stored in the turntable control storage area (1021), and the control command includes an address code (108) and control information (109) identical to the set top box (1), and the control The information (109) includes the password of the channel decoding of the television station (5) (1093);

as well as,

The television station (5) encrypts the television program data stream of the television program using a password (1093) and then transmits it to the set-top box (1) by broadcasting, when the user watches the program of the television station (5) using the television set-top box (1), the television The set-top box (1) will receive the encrypted TV program data stream, find the corresponding channel control information (109) from the turntable control storage area (1021), and find the channel decoding password from the control information (109) (1093). The decrypted password (1093) of the channel decrypts the received encrypted television program data stream, and restores the television program data stream for playback to the user.

When the set-top box control center (2) finds that the television station (5) plays the content of the television program that the set-top box control center (2) is not allowed to play, the set-top box control center (2) goes to the set-top box through the communication network (3). (1) issuing a control command to change the channel decoded password (1093) of the control information (109) corresponding to the channel of the television station (5) stored in the set top box (1), and to make the channel decoded password (1093). It is different from the password (1093) used by the television station (5) to encrypt the TV program data stream, so that the TV set-top box (1) cannot successfully decrypt the encrypted television program data stream, so that the user cannot watch the related TV program.

The system and method of the present invention are simple in structure and are applicable to various types of television broadcast networks, including satellite television broadcasts, wireless television broadcasts, cable television broadcasts and the like, especially in satellite television broadcasts, which can be used for satellite television programs. The morphological control rights are also given to governments to enable governments to effectively control the ideology of satellite television programs broadcast in their own countries, reduce ideological conflicts among countries, and promote regional peace. In the future, the government will have no restrictions on satellite TV broadcasting. Any good or bad news can be said by different political opinions on both sides of the strait. Broadcasting is very free and there is no national border. It is not necessary to issue so many documents about broadcasting restrictions in the future. Not allowed, you have your freedom of broadcasting, I have the freedom to control the reception, and return the control of satellite TV to the governments themselves to control.

Claims

Rights request

A television set top box system, characterized in that the system comprises a television set top box (1), a set top box control center (2), a communication network (3), a television set (4), a television station (5),

among them,

The television set top box (1) is configured to receive a television broadcast program signal sent by the television station (5), decode the television broadcast program signal, and restore the television program data stream, and then play it to the user through the television (4), the set top box control center ( 2) For remote control of the TV set-top box (1), including the remote control set-top box (1) turntable, playing the specified information, recording the specified channel clips, playing the specified movie clips, playing the specified text information, etc.

The communication network (3) includes AM/FM broadcasting, paging network, mobile telephone network, wireless television broadcasting network, WIFI network, WIMAX network, etc.

The television station (5) includes a television station using wireless television broadcasting, a television station using cable television broadcasting, a television station using satellite broadcasting, and a television station transmitting IPTV via the Internet.

2. The set top box system according to claim 1, wherein the structure of the set top box (1) includes a turntable controller (101) in addition to components and functions of a general set top box. , storage device (102), teletext signal decoder (103), pager (104), radio (105), mobile phone (106), wireless network receiver (107), etc., turntable controller (101) is mainly used for Controlling the playing channel of the set top box (1), when the user uses the set top box (1) to play the television program, according to the content of the control information (109) in the storage device (102), controlling the playing content of the set top box (1),

The storage device (102) is mainly used for storing control commands, movie segments, sound segments and text information, and the teletext signal decoder (103) is mainly used for receiving pictures sent by the set top box control center (2) through the wireless television broadcast network. The television signal is decoded to restore the control command issued by the set-top box control center (2), and the pager (104) is mainly used for receiving the control command signal sent by the set-top box control center (2) through the paging network, and decoding and restoring the set-top box control The control command issued by the center (2),

The radio (105) is mainly used to receive the control command signal sent by the set-top box control center (2) through the AM/FM digital broadcast, and decode and restore the control command issued by the set-top box control center (2). The mobile phone (106) is mainly used for receiving control instruction information sent by the set top box control center (2) through the mobile telephone network, and decoding and restoring the control command issued by the set top box control center (2).

The wireless network receiver (107) is mainly used for receiving control command information sent by the set top box control center (2) through the WIFI network or the WIMAX network, and decoding and restoring the control commands issued by the set top box control center (2).

The television set-top box system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the storage device (102) includes a turntable control storage area (1021), a movie clip storage area (1022), and a sound clip storage area ( 1023), short message storage area (1024), address code storage area (1025),

among them,

The control information (109) of all channels is stored in the turntable control storage area (1021), and the control information (109) includes a channel number (1091), a channel name (1092), a channel decoded password (1093), and a channel transfer. The target (1094) and the like, the content of the channel transfer destination (1094) may be a channel number (1091) or a movie clip number or a sound clip number or a text information number, etc.; when the user watches the television program using the television set top box (1) When the set-top box (1) automatically finds the control information (109) of the channel being viewed in the turntable control storage area (1021), the set-top box (1) will automatically turn the table according to the content of the control information (109). The channel of the channel number (1091) specified in the channel transfer destination (1094) of the control information (109), or the set top box (1) automatically plays the control information according to the content of the control information (109) (109) The movie of the movie clip number specified in the channel transfer destination (1094), or the TV set-top box (1) will be based on the control information The content of (109) automatically plays the sound of the sound segment number specified in the channel transfer destination (1094) of the control information (109), or the set-top box (1) automatically displays according to the content of the control information (109). The text information content of the text information number specified in the channel transfer destination (1094) of the control information (109); and, when the content of the channel transfer destination (1094) is blank, the set-top box (1) is immediately Play the program of the channel without turning to other channels;

The movie clip storage area (1022) is configured to store movie clips of the television program, and each movie clip has a movie clip number as an index number;

The sound segment storage area (1023) is configured to store sound segments of the television program, and each sound segment has a sound segment number as an index number;

The short message storage area (1024) is used for storing short messages sent by the set top box control center (2) to the set top box (1) through the communication network (3), and each short message has a text information number as an index number; The address code storage area (1025) stores the address code (108) of the television set top box (1) itself, including a unique private address code (1081), and a plurality of grouped packet address codes (1082), and a total television The public address code (1083) shared by the set-top box (1), all control commands issued from the set-top box control center (2) will contain an address code (108), and the set-top box (1) will only process the address containing the address itself. The control instruction of the same address code (108) in the code storage area (1025).

A method of controlling a television set top box, using the system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the method adopts a turntable method, and the set top box control center (2) transmits the television to the television through the communication network (3) The set top box (1) issues a control command to control the set top box (1) that is playing the specified channel program and has the specified address code (108), and transfers the channel being played to the channel specified by the control command, or to the play center. The sound of the movie or sound clip number of the movie clip number specified by the control command,

as well as,

The set-top box control center (2) sends a control command to the set-top box (1) through the communication network (3) to control the set-top box (1) of the specified address code (108) that is not playing the designated channel program, and will be within the control command The control information (109) is stored in the turntable control storage area (1021). When the user watches the specified channel program using the set top box (1), the set top box (1) will automatically transfer to the specified command of the control command. The channel, or the sound of the movie or sound clip number of the movie clip number specified by the control command.

5. A method of controlling a television set top box, using the system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the method is carried out by a set top box control center (2) via a communication network (3) to a set top box (1) a control command is issued to control a television set-top box (1) that is playing a specified channel program and has a specified address code (108), and converts the program of the channel being played to play the text information specified by the control command,

as well as,

The set-top box control center (2) sends a control command to the set-top box (1) through the communication network (3) to control the set-top box (1) that has the specified address code (108) that is not playing the specified channel program, and will be within the control command The control information (109) is stored in the turntable control storage area (1021). When the user views the specified channel program using the set top box (1), the set top box (1) immediately plays the text specified by the control command. information.

6. A method of controlling a television set top box, using the system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said method is used by a set top box control center (2) via a communication network (3) to a set top box ( 1) issuing a control command to control a set-top box (1) that is playing any channel program and has a specified address code (108), The program of the channel being played is transferred to the channel specified by the control instruction to play important information, and the user can continue to watch the television program after the important information is played.

as well as,

The set-top box control center (2) sends a control command to the set-top box (1) through the communication network (3) to control the set-top box (1) with the specified address code (108) that is in the off state, and the control information in the control command is (109) stored in the turntable control storage area (1021), and at the time specified by the control command, the turntable is sent to the channel specified by the control command, and the important information played by the channel is recorded and stored in the storage device ( 102), before the user uses the TV set-top box (1) to boot any channel program, the TV set-top box (1) will immediately play the important information stored in the storage device (102), and after the important information is played. Users can watch other TV programs.

A method of controlling a television set top box, using the system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the method is used by a set top box control center (2) via a communication network (3) to a set top box (1) issuing a control command to control a television set-top box (1) having a specified address code (108), at a time specified by the control command, an advertisement segment of the channel specified by the control command or a movie or sound of the program The clip is recorded in the storage device (102) stored in the set top box (1) of the TV.

A method for controlling a television set top box to play an advertisement, using the system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the method is controlled by the set top box at the beginning of the advertisement time at which the television station (5) plays the advertisement The center (2) sends a control command to the set-top box (1) that is playing the channel specifying the station (5) and has the specified address code (108) through the communication network (3), and controls the set-top box (1) to be playing the channel. Transmitting to the advertisement channel or the stored advertisement segment specified by the control instruction, causing the set-top box (1) to play an advertisement segment different from the advertisement played by the television station (5); At the end of the advertising time for the television station (5) to play the advertisement, the set-top box control center (2) issues a control command to the set-top box (1) via the communication network (3) to control the television set-top box (1) before the turntable is played. The program of the channel played by the television station (5).

A method of controlling a television set top box to play an advertisement, using the system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the method uses a turntable method, when a user watches a program channel using a set top box, At the beginning of the time, the set-top box control center (2) sends a control command to the set-top box (1) via the communication network (3) to control the set-top box (1) that is playing the specified program channel and has the specified address code (108), which will be The played channel is transferred to the advertising channel specified by the control command, and at the end of the advertising time of the program channel, the set top box control center (2) issues a control command to the set top box (1) via the communication network (3). Controls the set top box (1) that is playing the specified advertising channel and has the specified address code (108), and turns the currently playing advertising channel to the program channel that the previous user viewed.

10. The method for controlling a television set top box to play an advertisement according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the set top box control center (2) is configurable according to an installation address of the set top box (1), that is, an area in which the user is located, and The user's personal attributes, including the user's age, gender, occupation, education, hobbies, consumption habits, family status, beliefs, race, nationality, wealth and other personal attributes, find out the ad segments corresponding to the user's personal attributes, play to User watching.

A charging control method for controlling a television set top box to play a pay program, the system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the method is used by a set top box control center before the charging program is played (2 Sending a control command to all the set-top boxes (1) through the communication network (3), instructing all the set-top boxes (1) to turn the channels of the paid programs to the designated channels, so that the users cannot watch using the set-top boxes (1). The pay program, the control command includes a public address code (1083) and control information (109); and a set top box controlled by the set top box control center (2) to the account of all paid paid programs via the communication network (3) (1) A control box is issued to instruct the TV set-top box (1) of the account for all paid program charges to cancel the instruction to transfer the channel of the pay program to the designated channel, so that the user can view the set using the set-top box (1). For the pay program, the control command includes a packet address code (1082) and control information (109).

12. The charging control method for controlling a television set top box playing program according to claim 11, wherein the paying program fee is paid by the following group A step, which is a method for confirming payment by using a remote controller of the television set top box (1) before the user watches the paying program, Proceed as follows:

A1. The set-top box control center (2) sends a control command to all the set-top boxes (1) through the communication network (3) before the charging program is played, instructing all the set-top boxes (1) to transfer the channels of the paid program to the designated channel. The control command includes a public address code (1083) and control information (109); A2. The set-top box (1) receives the control command in step A1, and checks the public address code in the control command (1083). After the same as the public address code (1083) stored in the set top box (1) itself, the control information (109) in the control command is stored in the turntable control storage area (1021) of the storage device (102). ; A3. The user watches the program list of the cable TV station (5) or the satellite TV station (5) or the IPTV station (5), and uses the remote control of the TV set-top box (1) to select and confirm the paid program to be watched;

A4. The set-top box (1) transmits the relevant information of the paid program to the set-top box control center (2) via the mobile phone (106) and the mobile phone network (3), requesting to watch the relevant information of the paid program selected by the user. The paid program;

A5. Set-top box control center (2) Find the phone number of the mobile phone (106) from the caller number, find the account number of the TV set-top box (1) from the phone number of the mobile phone (106), check the account balance and then deduct the payment from the account. The fee for the paid program, and then the set-top box control center (2) sends a control command to the set-top box (1) via the communication network (3), instructing the set-top box (1) to store the packet address code (1082) corresponding to the paid program. In the address code storage area (1025), the control command includes the television set top box (1) private address code (1081) and control information (109), and the control information includes a packet address code corresponding to the charged program (1082) ) ;

A6. The set top box (1) receives the control command in step A5, and checks that the private address code (1081) in the control command is the same as the private address code (1081) stored in the set top box (1) itself. And storing, in the control code (109) in the control instruction, a packet address code (1082) corresponding to the charged program in the address code storage area (1025);

A7. Before the start of the paid program, the set-top box control center (2) issues a control command to the set-top box (1) of the account for all paid program charges via the communication network (3), instructing all accounts that have paid for the paid program fees. The set top box (1) updates the content of the channel transfer destination (1094) in the control information (109) stored in step A2, the control command including a packet address code (1082) corresponding to the program to be charged and control information (1) 109), and the content of the channel transfer destination (1094) in the control information (109) is blank;

A9. When the paying program is played, when the user uses the remote control to turn to the channel of the paid program to watch the program, the set-top box (1) automatically finds the control information of the viewed channel in the turntable control storage area (1021) (109) The content of the channel transfer destination (1094) is found from the control information (109). Since the content of the channel transfer destination (1094) has been updated to blank in step A6, the set-top box (1) immediately plays the program of the channel to If the user does not select to confirm the pay program to be watched in step A3, the set top box (1) will not perform the operations of step A4 to step A8, when the user uses the remote control turntable When the program is viewed on the channel of the pay program, the set top box (1) is automatically transferred to the channel designated by the channel transfer destination (1094) of the control information (109) in step A2, and the user cannot successfully view the pay program.

13. The method according to claim 4, wherein the communication network (3) is mainly responsible for transmitting control commands issued by the set top box control center (2) to the set top box (1), including the following One of the transfer methods:

1. Transfer the control command to the radio (105) of the TV set-top box (1) via AM/FM digital sound broadcasting (DAB) in text message mode;

2. Through the paging network, the paging station transmits control commands to the pager (104) of the set-top box (1) through the paging network;

3. In the teletext signal mode, superimpose the signal of the control command on the television broadcast signal, and transmit it to the teletext signal decoder of the set-top box (1) through the network of radio broadcast or cable television broadcast.

(103);

4. Transfer the control command to the mobile phone (106) of the set-top box (1) via the mobile phone network, where the control command can be transmitted to the mobile phone by means of SMS (MMS) or MMS (GPRS) (106) ;

6. Transfer control commands to the TV set-top box (1) via the internet;

14. A method of controlling a television set top box, using the system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said television station (5) transmits a password (1093) to the set top box control before the program starts playing. The center (2), and then the set-top box control center (2) sends a control command to the set-top box (1) via the communication network (3), and transmits the code (1093) of the channel decoding of the station (5) to the set-top box through the control command. (1), the control information (109) of the password (1093) including the channel decoding of the television station (5) is stored in the turntable control storage area (1021) by the set top box (1), and the control command includes a control command The same address code (108) and control information (109) as the set top box (1), the control information (109) content includes the channel decoded password (1093) of the television station (5);

as well as, The television station (5) encrypts the TV program data stream of the television program using the password (1093) and then transmits it to the set-top box (1) by broadcasting. When the user watches the program of the television station (5) using the set-top box (1), the television The set top box (1) will receive the encrypted television program data stream, find the corresponding channel control information from the turntable control storage area (1021), and find the channel decoded password from the control information (109) (1093). The password decoded by the channel (1093) decrypts the received encrypted television program data stream, and restores the television program data stream for playback to the user.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein when the set top box control center (2) finds that the television station (5) plays the content of the television program that the set top box control center (2) is not allowed to play, The set-top box control center (2) sends a control command to the set-top box (1) through the communication network (3), and changes the channel decoding of the control information (109) corresponding to the channel of the television station (5) stored in the set-top box (1) of the set-top box (1). The password (1093), the password (1093) decoded by the channel is different from the password (1093) used by the television station (5) to encrypt the television program data stream, so that the set-top box (1) cannot successfully encrypt the television. The program data stream is decrypted so that the user cannot watch the relevant television program.