JP4311385B2 - Information processing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a broadcast receiving apparatus, broadcasting equipment, and a broadcasting service providing system compatible with pay broadcasting service technologies such as BS broadcasting and CS broadcasting.

Conventionally, in the field of broadcasting technology such as BS broadcasting and CS broadcasting, using a user identification technology and an encrypted broadcasting radio wave transmission / reception technology, a specific user, that is, a broadcasting company. Broadcasting services are being implemented in which broadcasters provide specific broadcast programs desired by users for a fee only for users who have signed a viewing contract. The broadcast receiving apparatus according to the broadcast service has a function of performing communication with a broadcast facility under the control of a broadcaster, and each user can receive the communication function before receiving a broadcast of a specific broadcast program. A contract for viewing the specific broadcast program is concluded with the broadcaster.

By the way, in the broadcast service described above, when the viewing contract is concluded, the user is obliged to pay a fee to the broadcaster (fee payment obligation). Therefore, after the viewing contract is concluded, for example, bad weather, jamming radio waves,
Even if a reception failure occurs in a broadcast program that the user desires due to a cause that cannot be attributed to the user's responsibility such as a power failure, the user is obliged to pay a fee based on the above viewing contract to the broadcaster. As a result, an unreasonable result is brought about in which the broadcast service provided by the broadcaster is incomplete on the one hand and the user is forced to bear the risk on the other hand. Suggestions to address these issues
Some have already been done.

However, each of the above proposals automatically eliminates the user's disadvantage related to billing when reception failure occurs, and automatically determines whether the cause of reception failure is on the broadcast facility side or on the broadcast reception device side. There are things that can be diagnosed and those that can make a highly accurate reception decision at a low cost on the user side, but all these proposals present options that users can satisfy as countermeasures against poor reception. It is not cut.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to present an option that a user can satisfy as a countermeasure for a reception failure when a reception failure occurs due to a cause that cannot be attributed to the user in a paid broadcasting service. Is to be able to.

  The broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present invention is configured to receive the first reception information relating to the quality of the broadcast signal of the desired broadcast program and the second reception relating to the operation state of the broadcast reception apparatus, which are detected when the pay desired broadcast program is received. Information is transmitted to the broadcaster along with the device ID information of the broadcast receiving device, and the reception failure of the desired broadcast program has occurred in the broadcast receiving device corresponding to the device ID of the first and second received information. In this case, the service information for the desired broadcast program with poor reception transmitted from the broadcaster side is received, and the received service information is displayed and provided to the user.

The service information preferably includes an option for selecting rebroadcast of the desired broadcast program with poor reception or return of the fee charged for the desired broadcast program, and the service information displayed by the display unit includes The content selected by the user from the included options is transmitted to the broadcaster side.

The first reception information related to the quality of the broadcast signal of the desired broadcast program is, for example, the received radio wave intensity of the broadcast signal, and the second reception information related to the operating state of the broadcast reception device is, for example, an internal circuit of the broadcast reception device Current and the power supply voltage of the broadcast receiving apparatus.

The service information may further include information on the scheduled date and time of the desired broadcast program and scheduled channels.

As described above, according to the present invention, in a paid broadcasting service, when a reception failure occurs due to a cause that cannot be attributed to the user, the user can be satisfied as a countermeasure for the reception failure. Options can be presented.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings described below, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a broadcast service providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, this broadcasting service providing system includes a terrestrial broadcasting facility 1, a satellite relay facility 3 mounted on a broadcasting satellite, and a plurality of users (in FIG. 1, only two persons denoted by reference numerals 5 and 7). Are provided with a plurality of broadcast receiving apparatuses (not shown in FIG. 1), and a communication line 9 that connects between the terrestrial broadcasting facility 1 and each broadcast receiving apparatus.

Both the terrestrial broadcast facility 1 and the satellite relay facility 3 are owned by a broadcaster that provides broadcast services to the respective users (5, 7) for a fee. In the actual system, there are a large number of users who have signed a viewing contract with a broadcaster to receive a paid broadcast service, in addition to the users 5 and 7 shown in FIG. A large number of broadcast receiving apparatuses (not shown) that receive services are also installed. In the following, only users 5 and 7 (or sometimes only user 5) will be described as an example. Between the terrestrial broadcast facility 1 and each broadcast receiving device (not shown), mutual information communication is performed through the communication line 9 as needed.

In the above configuration, when the broadcast radio wave 2 transmitted from the terrestrial broadcast facility 1 is received by the satellite relay facility 3, the broadcast radio wave 4 is transmitted from the satellite relay facility 3 to each user (5, 7). . When the broadcast radio wave 4 is received by a broadcast receiving device (not shown) of each user (5, 7), each user (5, 7) receives a broadcast service provided by a broadcaster. Become.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the terrestrial broadcasting facility 1 illustrated in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the terrestrial broadcasting facility 1 includes a broadcast data storage device 11, a data transmitter 13, a controller 15, a transmission antenna 17, and a plurality of data lines 19, 21,
23, 25. The data line 19 is between the broadcast data storage 11 and the data transmitter 13, and the data line 21 is between the broadcast data storage 11 and the controller 15.
The data line 23 connects between the data transmitter 13 and the controller 15, and the data line 25 connects between the data transmitter 13 and the transmission antenna 17.

Under the control of the controller 15, the broadcast data storage device 11 is broadcasted by the broadcaster to each user (5
, 7) Data related to video / audio for use in broadcasting services
"Video / audio data"). The broadcast data storage 11 is the controller 1
5, the video / audio data necessary for the broadcast service is retrieved from the stored video / audio data based on the command from the data 5, and the retrieved video / audio data is transmitted to the data transmitter 19 through the data line 19. 13 is output.

The data transmitter 13 receives the (video / audio) data output from the broadcast data storage 11 through the data line 19 under the control of the controller 15 and modulates a signal wave representing the data into a high-frequency broadcast signal. The high-frequency broadcast signal is output from the data transmitter 13 to the transmission antenna 17 through the data line 25. The data transmitter 13 also reads the information when the information related to the broadcast scheduled program, the contract condition, and the charge is output from the controller 15 through the data line 23 at predetermined time intervals, and a signal representing the information. A wave is superimposed on a signal wave representing the data. Then, the signal wave on which these pieces of information are superimposed is modulated into a high frequency broadcast signal, and the high frequency broadcast signal is output from the data transmitter 13 to the transmission antenna 17 through the data line 25. Each of the high frequency broadcast signals is transmitted from the transmission antenna 17 as the broadcast radio wave 2 to each user (5, 7) described above.
). Note that the information on the broadcast-scheduled program, the contract conditions, and the charge is indispensable information for the broadcast service providing system according to the present embodiment, as will be described later.

As described above, the controller 15 controls the broadcast data storage 11 and the data transmitter 13 through the data lines 21 and 23, respectively. The controller 15 also communicates with the broadcast receiving devices (not shown) of the respective users (5, 7) through the communication line 9 to thereby, for example, schedule information regarding re-broadcasting and charges. Various information on the use of the broadcasting service of each user (5, 7
) Transmitted to broadcast receivers (not shown) owned by each. Rebroadcast schedule
Similarly to the above, the information on the information and fees is also indispensable information for the broadcast service providing system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the broadcast receiving apparatus owned by each user (5, 7) described in FIG. The configuration of the broadcast receiving device owned by each user (5, 7) is the same for at least circuit components that are indispensable for receiving a broadcast service from a broadcaster through the terrestrial broadcast facility 1 and the satellite relay facility 3. (Other configurations may be different from each other.) In the following description, only the broadcast receiving apparatus owned by the user 5 is taken as an example.

As shown in FIG. 3, the broadcast receiving apparatus includes a broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27, a broadcast receiving / recording device 29, a receiving antenna 31, a receiving antenna 31, a broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27, and a broadcast receiving / recording device 29. And a broadcasting cable 33 for connecting the two. The broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27 and the broadcast receiving / recording device 29 are connected to the controller 15 shown in FIG.

The receiving antenna 31 receives (absorbs) the broadcast radio wave 4 from the satellite relay facility 3 to convert the broadcast radio wave 4 into a broadcast signal which is an electric signal, and the broadcast signal is transmitted to the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27 through the broadcast cable 33. , And broadcast reception recorder 29, respectively. When receiving the broadcast signal, the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27 converts the broadcast signal into a video / video.
Demodulates audio data and reproduces the demodulated video / audio data. The broadcast receiving / recording device 29 also demodulates and records the input broadcast signal as video / audio data, and outputs the recorded video / audio data to the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27 as needed.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the controller 15 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, the controller 15 includes a communication unit 35, an external device control unit 37, a keyboard unit 39, a data display unit 41, a storage unit 43, and a program storage unit 45.
And a calculation unit 47.

The communication unit 35 is controlled by the calculation unit 47 through the communication line 9 to receive the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 2.
7 and the broadcast reception recorder 29 (both described in FIG. 3), each user (5, 7) is required to use various broadcast services provided by the broadcaster. Information is appropriately transmitted to the broadcast receiving device of each user (5, 7).
The external device control unit 37 is controlled through the data lines 21 and 23 under the control of the calculation unit 47 (
Broadcast data storage device 1 which constitutes the terrestrial broadcasting facility 1 shown in FIG.
1 and the data transmitter 13 are controlled. The data display unit 41 displays various information processed in the controller 15 under the control of the calculation unit 47. The keyboard unit 39 is set so that the operator of the controller 15 can input data while monitoring various information displayed on the data display unit 41.

Under the control of the calculation unit 47, the storage unit 43 stores various information necessary for the use of the broadcast service such as the above-described broadcast scheduled program, contract conditions, and information related to the charge, re-broadcast schedule and information related to the charge, etc. Information related to broadcast reception including reception failure (details will be described later), various information related to each user (5, 7), and the like are stored. Storage unit 4
3, when there is an information read request from the calculation unit 47, the information corresponding to the information read request is output to the calculation unit 47. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 43 is assumed to be backed up by a battery or configured with a non-volatile memory or the like in order to prevent loss of stored contents at the time of a power failure.

The program storage unit 45 includes a normal radio wave intensity calculation program for calculating the intensity of normal radio waves and a rebroadcast target receiver determination program for determining a rebroadcast target receiver under the control of the calculation unit 47. Remember. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the program storage unit 45 is also backed up by a battery, or is configured by a nonvolatile memory or the like. This is because it is assumed that the normal radio field intensity calculation program and the rebroadcast target receiving device determination program stored in the program storage unit 45 are rewritten later.

As described above, the calculation unit 47 controls the communication unit 35, the external device control unit 37, the keyboard unit 39, the data display unit 41, the storage unit 43, and the program storage unit 45.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27 includes a timer unit 49, a rebroadcast information display unit 51, a keyboard unit 53, a communication unit 55, a radio wave intensity measuring unit 57, a broadcast signal receiving unit 59, and the like. The video / audio data reproduction unit 61 and the video / audio data input unit 6
3, input / reproduction circuit current measurement unit 65, input / reproduction circuit power supply unit 67, control circuit power supply unit 69, external power supply voltage measurement unit 71, storage unit 73, ID storage unit 75, calculation unit 77.

The timer unit 49 is for controlling the output of time information and the timer operation under the control of the arithmetic unit 77. For example, a battery or a large-capacity capacitor is used so that the time can be measured even during a power failure. Backed up. The communication unit 55 communicates with the control unit 15 through the communication line 9 under the control of the calculation unit 77, so that, for example, the rebroadcast schedule and fee transmitted from the control unit 15 as described above. Various information necessary for the use of the broadcasting service such as information on the information is received through the communication line 9, and the received various information is output to the calculation unit 77. The various information is output from the calculation unit 77 to the video / audio data reproduction unit 61. When the information regarding the rebroadcast schedule and the charges arrives at the communication unit 55 under the control of the calculation unit 77, the rebroadcast information display unit 51 displays that fact in a predetermined manner.

The broadcast signal receiving unit 59 receives the broadcast signal input through the broadcast cable 33 under the control of the calculation unit 77 as video / audio data, or the video / audio data, and the video / audio data.
Demodulated into information related to the scheduled broadcast program, contract conditions, and fee superimposed on the audio data, and outputs the video / audio data and the information to the video / audio data reproduction unit 61.
The radio wave intensity measurement unit 57 measures the intensity of the broadcast signal input to the broadcast signal reception unit 59 through the broadcast cable 33 under the control of the calculation unit 77. The video / audio data reproducing unit 61 reproduces video / audio data from the broadcast signal receiving unit 59 or video / audio data from the broadcast signal receiving unit 59 and the video / audio data under the control of the arithmetic unit 77. Information related to the broadcast scheduled program, the contract conditions, and the charge is reproduced, and information such as a re-broadcast schedule and a charge from the controller 15 given through the calculation unit 77 is also displayed. The video / audio data input unit 63 includes a calculation unit 77.
When the video / audio data is transmitted from the broadcast receiving / recording device 29 (details of which will be described in FIG. 6 below), the video / audio data is input and the video / audio data is input. In order to reproduce the data, it is sent to the video / audio data reproduction unit 61.

The control circuit power supply unit 69 is an external power supply (for example, a commercial power supply) under the control of the calculation unit 77.
In response to power supplied from (not shown), the timer unit 49, the rebroadcast information display unit 51, the keyboard unit 53, the communication unit 55, the radio wave intensity measurement unit 57, and the broadcast signal reception unit 5
9, input / reproduction circuit current measurement unit 65, external power supply voltage measurement unit 71, storage unit 73, I
The drive power is supplied to each of the D storage unit 75 and the calculation unit 77. The input / reproduction circuit power supply unit 67 receives power supplied from an external power supply through the control circuit power supply unit 69 under the control of the arithmetic unit 77, and receives a video / audio data reproduction unit 61 and a video / audio data input unit 63. In contrast, each drive power is supplied. The input / reproduction circuit current measuring unit 65 measures a current value flowing from the external power supply to the input / reproduction circuit power supply unit 67 through the control circuit power supply unit 69 under the control of the calculation unit 77. The external power supply voltage measurement unit 71 measures the voltage of the external power supply that supplies power to the control circuit power supply unit 69 under the control of the calculation unit 77.

The keyboard unit 53 allows the user (5) to display various information related to the rebroadcast schedule and charges on the rebroadcast information display unit 51, and various types of video / audio data displayed on the video / audio data reproduction unit 61. It is set to be able to input information while monitoring the information. The storage unit 73 stores various types of information necessary for using the broadcast service as described above under the control of the calculation unit 77 and responds to the information read request when the information read request is received from the calculation unit 77. The information to be output is output to the calculation unit 77. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the storage unit 73 is backed up by a battery or configured by a nonvolatile memory or the like in order to prevent loss of stored contents at the time of a power failure. The ID storage unit 75 includes the calculation unit 7
7, the identification information of the device (that is, the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27) is stored, and the identification information is stored in the calculation unit 77 in response to an identification information read request from the calculation unit 77.
Output to. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the ID storage unit 75 is also backed up by a battery or configured by a nonvolatile memory or the like in order to prevent loss of stored contents at the time of a power failure.

As described above, the calculation unit 77 is the timer unit 49, the rebroadcast information display unit 51, the communication unit 55, the radio wave intensity measurement unit 57, the broadcast signal reception unit 59, the video / audio data reproduction unit 61, and the video / audio data input. Unit 63, input / reproduction circuit current measurement unit 65, input / reproduction circuit power supply unit 67, control circuit power supply unit 69, external power supply voltage measurement unit 71, storage unit 73
And the ID storage unit 75 are controlled.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the broadcast reception recorder 29 described in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6, the broadcast reception recorder 29 includes a timer unit 79, a rebroadcast information display unit 81, a keyboard unit 83, a communication unit 85, a radio wave intensity measurement unit 87, and a broadcast signal reception unit 89. The video / audio data recording unit 91 and the video / audio data output unit 9
3, a recording / output circuit current measurement unit 95, an output / reproduction circuit power supply unit 97, a control circuit power supply unit 99, an external power supply voltage measurement unit 101, a storage unit 103, and an ID storage unit 1.
05 and a calculation unit 107.

The timer unit 79 is for controlling the output of time information and the timer operation under the control of the arithmetic unit 107. For example, a battery or a large-capacity capacitor can be used to measure the time even in the event of a power failure. Backed up. The communication unit 85 communicates with the controller 15 through the communication line 9 under the control of the arithmetic unit 107, and as described above, for example, a rebroadcast schedule or fee transmitted from the controller 15 Various information necessary for the use of the broadcasting service such as information on the information is received through the communication line 9, and the received various information is output to the calculation unit 107. The rebroadcast information display unit 81 displays the information about the rebroadcast schedule and fee when it arrives at the communication unit 85 under the control of the calculation unit 107 in a predetermined manner. Is also displayed in a predetermined manner.

The broadcast signal receiving unit 89, under the control of the arithmetic unit 107, broadcasts the program that is superimposed on the video / audio data, or the video / audio data and the video / audio data, with the broadcast signal input through the broadcast cable 33. Then, the information is demodulated into information on contract conditions and charges, and the video / audio data and the information are output to the video / audio data reproduction unit 61. The radio wave intensity measuring unit 87 measures the intensity of the broadcast signal input to the broadcast signal receiving unit 89 through the broadcast cable 33 under the control of the calculation unit 107. The video / audio data recording unit 91 controls the video / audio data from the broadcast signal receiving unit 89 under the control of the arithmetic unit 107.
Audio data or video / audio data from the broadcast signal receiving unit 89, broadcast scheduled programs superimposed on the video / audio data, information on contract conditions, fees, and the like are recorded. The video / audio data output unit 93 is video / audio data recorded in the video / audio data recording unit 91 under the control of the arithmetic unit 107 (may include broadcast scheduled programs, contract conditions and fee information). Is recorded in the video / audio data recording unit 61 (of the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27) in order to reproduce the video / audio data (which may include broadcast scheduled programs, contract conditions, and fee information). Read from the unit 91, (
It is sent to the video / audio data input unit 63 (of the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27).

The control circuit power supply unit 99 receives power supplied from an external power supply under the control of the arithmetic unit 107, and receives a timer unit 79, a rebroadcast information display unit 81, a keyboard unit 83, a communication unit 85, and a radio wave intensity measurement unit 87. The driving power is supplied to each of the broadcast signal receiving unit 89, the recording / output circuit current measuring unit 95, the external power supply voltage measuring unit 101, the storage unit 103, the ID storage unit 105, and the calculation unit 107. Output / reproduction circuit power supply 97
Receives the power supplied from the external power source through the control circuit power source unit 99 under the control of the arithmetic unit 77, and receives the video / audio data recording unit 91 and the video / audio data output unit 9
3 is supplied with respective driving power. The recording / output circuit current measuring unit 95 measures the current value flowing from the external power source to the output / reproducing circuit power source unit 97 through the control circuit power source unit 99 under the control of the arithmetic unit 107. The external power supply voltage measurement unit 101 is the calculation unit 1
Under the control of 07, the voltage of the external power supply that supplies power to the control circuit power supply unit 99 is measured.

The keyboard unit 83 allows the user (5) to display the incoming information on the rebroadcast schedule and the charges on the rebroadcast information display unit 81, display the contents thereof,
Information can be input while monitoring various information such as video / audio data (which may include broadcast scheduled programs, contract conditions and fee information) displayed on the video / audio data reproduction unit 61 (shown in FIG. 5). It is set to be able to do. The storage unit 103 stores various information necessary for using the broadcasting service as described above under the control of the calculation unit 107, and responds to the information read request when the information read request is issued from the calculation unit 107. The information to be output is output to the calculation unit 107. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 10
3 is assumed to be backed up by a battery or configured with a non-volatile memory or the like in order to prevent loss of stored contents during a power failure. The ID storage unit 105 stores the identification information of the device (that is, the broadcast reception recorder 29) under the control of the calculation unit 107 and responds to the identification information read request from the calculation unit 107. Is output to the arithmetic unit 107. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the ID storage unit 105 is also backed up by a battery or configured by a nonvolatile memory or the like in order to prevent loss of stored contents at the time of a power failure.

As described above, the calculation unit 107 includes the timer unit 79, the rebroadcast information display unit 81,
Communication unit 85, radio wave intensity measurement unit 87, broadcast signal reception unit 89, video / audio data recording unit 91, video / audio data output unit 93, recording / output circuit current measurement unit 95, output / output
The reproduction circuit power supply unit 97, the control circuit power supply unit 99, the external power supply voltage measurement unit 101, the storage unit 103, and the ID storage unit 105 are controlled.

Next, a viewing procedure for a pay broadcast program that requires a viewing contract to be concluded between each user (5, 7) and the broadcaster will be described.

In the following, pay broadcast A broadcasted between 9 pm and 11 pm
FIG. 4 showing the configuration of the controller 15 provided in the terrestrial broadcasting facility 1 and the broadcast reception / playback provided in the broadcast receiving device of the user (5), taking as an example the viewing procedure using the broadcast receiving / playing device 27 by the user (5). This will be described with reference to FIG.

The viewing procedure is basically performed by manually operating the keyboard unit 53 while viewing information displayed on the video / audio data playback unit 61 by the user (5).

That is, first, when the user (5) operates the keyboard unit 53, the video /
The list data of the broadcast scheduled program is displayed on the audio data reproducing unit 61. Next, when the user (5) operates the keyboard unit 53 to select a desired program from the displayed list data, the data related to the contract condition, the fee, and the like is sent to the video / audio data reproduction unit 61. Is displayed.

Information such as scheduled programs, contract conditions, and charges displayed on the video / audio data playback unit 61 is superimposed on the broadcast radio waves (2, 4) (shown in FIG. 1) at predetermined time intervals, and the terrestrial broadcast facility 1 to the broadcast receiving device of the user (5) via the satellite relay facility 3. Every time the above information is received by the broadcast receiving device of the user (5), the storage unit 73
The information stored in is updated. The information displayed on the video / audio data reproducing unit 61 described above in the video / audio data reproducing unit 61 refers to a part of the information that can be updated.

Next, when the user (5) confirms the contract conditions and the charges displayed on the video / audio data reproducing unit 61 and then operates the keyboard unit 53 to perform a purchase application for a specific broadcast program, the user The broadcast program information desired to be purchased by (5) and the ID information related to the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27 stored in the ID storage unit 75 are the communication unit 55.
The data is transmitted to the arithmetic unit 47 of the controller 15 through the communication line 9 and the communication unit 35 of the controller 15. When the broadcast program information and the ID information are input, the calculation unit 47 collates the information with the contract content of the user (5) stored in the storage unit 43 in advance.

If it is determined that the broadcast program can be sold as a result of the collation, the calculation unit 47 receives the sales commission information of the broadcast program and the broadcast radio wave 4 received by the broadcast receiving device of the user (5) (see FIG. 1) and the decryption information necessary for demodulating to normal image information from the communication unit 35 and the communication line 9 through the communication unit 55 of the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27.
Transmit to. Simultaneously with this processing operation, the calculation unit 47 records the broadcast date / time, channel, and fee of the contracted program in the information storage area related to the user (5) set in the storage unit 43.

On the other hand, in the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27, the calculation unit 77 receives information input through the communication unit 55 that the contract has been established, decryption information necessary for demodulation of the broadcast radio wave 4, broadcast date and time of the contract target program, channel Information related to charges and the like is stored in the storage unit 73. At the same time as this processing operation, the arithmetic unit 77 performs a radio wave intensity measurement unit 57, an input / reproduction circuit current measurement unit 65, an external power supply voltage at fixed time intervals set between the start time and the end time of the pay broadcast. In order to perform the respective measurement operations by the measurement unit 71, the values measured by these measurement units 57, 65, 71, and the recording of the tuning channel in the storage unit 73 during these measurement operations, the timer unit 49 On the other hand, the timer information is set.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of determination of normal radio wave intensity according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 7, a curve A is obtained by plotting the received radio wave intensity measured multiple times in 1 dB units and plotting the radio wave intensity in 1 dB steps on the horizontal axis and the measurement frequency (ratio) of each radio wave intensity on the vertical axis. Curve B is the cumulative frequency plotted from the lower radio field strength. The cumulative frequency of curve B is 0 for the portion less than the measured minimum intensity.
%, And the part larger than the maximum intensity measured becomes 100%. The normal radio wave intensity can be mechanically determined by defining using the curve B of the cumulative frequency.

There are various ways of defining the normal radio wave intensity. As an example, there is a method in which a value obtained by subtracting 5 dB from the radio wave intensity corresponding to the cumulative frequency of 10% is used as the normal radio wave intensity. It is easy to perform such calculation by the calculation unit 47 of the controller 15 shown in FIG.

In the initial stage, a calculation program for executing the calculation process shown in FIG. 7 is recorded in the program storage unit 45 as a normal radio wave intensity calculation program, and the normal radio wave intensity is recorded using the calculation program. After a large amount of information is accumulated in the storage unit 43, the calculation program as the normal radio wave intensity calculation program can be easily updated to a calculation program with higher accuracy. The normal radio wave intensity calculation program is updated by displaying the normal radio wave intensity calculation program on the data display unit 41 under the control of the calculation unit 47 and correcting the normal radio wave intensity calculation program by operating the keyboard unit 39 by the operator. Then, the corrected normal radio field intensity calculation program is stored in the program storage unit 45.

As a method of measuring the radio field intensity, for example, the C / N ratio of the demodulated signal may be measured, and the measurement result may be substituted. This is because the reception quality deteriorates if the C / N ratio is bad.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a definition for determining a reception failure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 8, the horizontal axis is the time axis, and the horizontal axis is between the start time and the end time of the pay broadcast program that is the target of the viewing contract concluded between each user (5, 7) and the broadcaster. Take the time. On the other hand, on the vertical axis, the state of decrease in radio field intensity is shown at a logical level. That is, the time when the radio wave intensity is reduced is represented by “1”, and the time when the radio wave intensity is normal is represented by “0”. FIG. 8A shows a case where the number of times the radio field intensity has decreased, and FIG. 8B shows a case where the number of times the field intensity has decreased has four times.

  The determination of poor reception due to a decrease in radio field intensity shown in FIG. 8 is performed as follows.

That is, the radio field strength decreases or the radio field intensity returns to the normal state during the period from the start time (9 pm) to the end time (11:00 pm) of the pay broadcast program subject to the viewing contract. If the decrease in radio field intensity occurs intermittently n times, such as when the radio field intensity decreases again, the accumulated time of radio wave defects (that is, the decrease in radio field intensity) is the program broadcast time ( In this case, it is determined that the reception is poor when it reaches a predetermined ratio (for example, 20%) or more with respect to 2 hours). The determination result is recorded in the storage unit 43 by the calculation unit 47.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the data display unit 41 of the controller 15 when reception failure occurs in one embodiment of the present invention.

The screen shown in FIG. 9, that is, the screen on which the information “occurrence of receivers to be rebroadcasted” is displayed indicates that the result of the final radio wave rebroadcast final determination or the power failure rebroadcast final determination described later is
In the case of “1”, when the reception failure information is transmitted from the broadcast reception / playback device 27 of the user (5) to the control device 15, it is displayed on the data display unit 41 of the control device 15.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an input screen showing a method for dealing with poor reception on the broadcaster side in one embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 10, rebroadcast information such as the scheduled date and time of rebroadcasting, the channel (scheduled channel) scheduled to be used at the time of rebroadcasting, and the choice information such as the number of rebroadcasts, the deduction of charges, and the contents of refund of the subtracted charges Is information input to the controller 15 by the key operation of the keyboard unit 39 by the operator of the controller 15, and these pieces of information are transmitted from the controller 15 through the communication line 9 to the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27 of the user (5), And transmitted to the broadcast reception recorder 29.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a screen displayed on the broadcast receiving device of the user (5) when information related to rebroadcasting arrives at the broadcast receiving device of the user (5) from the controller 15 in one embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing shown.

The screen shown in FIG. 11, that is, the screen on which the information “Rebroadcast Notification” is displayed, shows that the rebroadcast information and option information shown in FIG. 10 are transmitted from the controller 15 through the communication line 9 to the user (5, 7). Are transmitted individually to the re-broadcast information display unit 51 of the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27 and the re-broadcast information display unit 81 of the broadcast receiving / recording device 29.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a detailed information display screen related to rebroadcast transmitted from the broadcaster to the broadcast receiving device of the user (5) in the embodiment of the present invention.

The screen shown in FIG. 12 is displayed when the user (5) operates the key of the keyboard unit 53 or the key of the keyboard unit 83 by looking at the incoming call display screen shown in FIG.
The above detailed information display request is output to the calculation unit 77 or the calculation unit 107 and displayed on the video / audio data reproduction unit 61 or the rebroadcast information display unit 81, as shown in FIG. It supports screens containing rebroadcast information and option information. By looking at the screen shown in FIG. 12, the user (5) operates the key of the keyboard unit 53 or the key of the keyboard unit 83, so that the desired date and time of retransmission (rebroadcast),
You will select a discount for the fee.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a screen indicating a result of selection by the user (5) from the detailed information display screen regarding rebroadcasting illustrated in FIG. 12 according to the embodiment of the present invention. .

The screen shown in FIG. 13 is displayed when the user (5) selects “rebroadcast” on the screen shown in FIG. 12, and the user (5) looks at the screen of the keyboard unit 53. By operating the keys or the keys of the keyboard part 83,
Whether the re-broadcast is received by the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27 or the broadcast receiving / recording device 29 is notified to the controller 15 through the communication line 9.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a timer-reservation selection screen displayed on the broadcast receiving device of the user (5) in the embodiment of the present invention.

The screen shown in FIG. 14 is transmitted from the controller 15 to the broadcast receiving device of the user (5) through the communication line 9, and the user (5) looks at the screen, the keys of the keyboard unit 53, Alternatively, by selecting whether or not to make a timer reservation by operating a key of the keyboard unit 83, the selection result (that is, whether or not a timer reservation is made) is notified to the controller 15 through the communication line 9. .

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data (information related to broadcast reception) configuration used for cause analysis of reception failure when reception failure occurs in the broadcast service providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. is there.

The above data, that is, information related to broadcast reception is stored in the storage unit 43 of the controller 15 and is composed of basic information 111, reception information 113, and determination information 115 as shown in FIG. Yes.

As shown in FIG. 15, the information belonging to the basic information 111 includes device ID information, zip code information, normal radio wave intensity information, and model information. This information is provided from the user (5) to the broadcaster when the above-mentioned viewing contract is concluded between the user (5) and the broadcaster. These pieces of information are stored in the storage unit 4 under the control of the arithmetic unit 47 by the operator under the control of the broadcaster operating the keys of the keyboard unit 39 of the controller 15.
3 is written.

As shown in FIG. 15, the information belonging to the reception information 113 includes radio field strength reduction information,
There are tuning channel information, input / reproducing circuit power-off information, and external power supply voltage unmeasured information. Any information is read out by the calculation unit 77 from the storage unit 73 of the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27 at the end time of the pay broadcast program that is the object of the viewing contract, and the radio wave intensity recovery information read out by the calculation unit 47 as well. Along with the ID information of the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27, it is transmitted to the controller 15 through the communication line 9, and is additionally recorded in the received information storage area of the storage unit 43 by the arithmetic unit 47.

As shown in FIG. 15, information belonging to the determination information 115 includes radio wave failure information, power supply failure information, radio wave failure information at the time of rebroadcast determination, and power supply failure information at the time of rebroadcast determination. The storage area for the radio wave failure information, the power failure information, the radio wave failure information at the time of rebroadcast determination, and the power failure information at the time of rebroadcast determination is based on the basic information 111 and the reception information 113 stored in the storage unit 43. The reception failure determination result and the rebroadcast determination result performed by the calculation unit 47 are written by the calculation unit 47 as numerical information such as “0”, “1”, “2”, and the like. Note that the reception failure determination, rebroadcast determination, and the like performed by the calculation unit 47 will be described in detail later.

Next, FIG. 16 mainly shows an example of a method for retransmitting a pay broadcast program when reception failure occurs in the broadcast receiving device (that is, the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27) of the user (5). This will be described with reference to the flowchart and FIGS.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of determination and retransmission processing operations when reception failure occurs in the broadcast service providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 16, first, when the broadcast time of the contracted program is reached, the user (5)
The broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27 starts viewing the pay broadcast program A for which a viewing contract has been concluded with the broadcaster (step S121). At the same time, a radio wave intensity measurement unit 57, an input / reproduction circuit current measurement unit 65, and a predetermined time interval are provided by the timer unit 49.
The external power supply voltage measuring unit 71 operates, and information on the radio wave intensity indicating the reception state, the input / reproduction circuit current, the external power supply voltage, and the tuning channel is recorded in the storage unit 73 (
Step S122: reception state recording).

Next, in the broadcast time zone of the (viewing) contract program, when the intensity of the received radio wave is lower than the value of the normal radio wave intensity described later, the time when the normal radio wave intensity falls below (step S123: radio wave failure occurrence) and normal Time of return to radio wave intensity (step S124:
“Radio wave failure end” is recorded in the storage unit 73 as radio wave intensity reduction information (step S125: radio wave intensity reduction information recording). Also, the broadcast time zone of the contracted program is recorded in the storage unit 73 as the tuning channel information including the tuning channel at the start of reception and at the start of reception, the switching time to another channel due to reception failure, and the channel after switching.
Step S126: Tuning channel information recording). Furthermore, the input / reproduction circuit current is
If it falls below a certain value (hereinafter referred to as the on-current value) determined during circuit design,
Each time the input / reproduction circuit current falls below the on-current value, the time when the input / reproduction circuit current falls below and the time when it returns to the on-current value are recorded in the storage unit 73 as input / reproduction circuit power-off information (step S127: input / reproduction circuit) Power off information recording).

Here, the on-current value is set as a numerical value when the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27 having the above-described configuration is designed as a minimum current value that flows while an input / reproducing circuit (not shown) is driven. Further, by reading the input / reproducing circuit power-off information, the arithmetic unit 7
7 can grasp that the user (5) turned off the input / reproduction circuit power supply 67. When the user (5) turned off the input / playback circuit power supply 67, the video or audio disappeared from the broadcast reception / playback device 27 due to a decrease in the strength of the broadcast radio wave 4 (shown in FIG. 1). Cases are mainly assumed. When the arithmetic unit 77 knows that an on / off command for the input / reproduction circuit power unit 67 is output from, for example, a power button (not shown) in the keyboard unit 53, the input / reproduction is performed based on the command. By configuring the circuit power supply unit 67 to be turned on / off, the calculation unit 77 can input / output
It is also possible to easily know the time when the reproduction circuit power source 67 is switched from on to off (off start time) and the time when the regeneration circuit power supply unit 67 is switched from off to on (off end time).

On the other hand, due to a power failure, a significant voltage change (voltage drop), etc., the broadcast receiving / reproducing machine 27
When the circuit operation of each part stops, measurement of the radio wave intensity of the broadcast signal 4, the input / reproduction circuit current, the external power supply voltage, and the tuning channel becomes impossible. For such a stop of the circuit operation, the calculation unit 77 performs the following recording. That is, in the measurement of the external power supply voltage, the calculation unit 77 automatically confirms the recorded value of the measurement voltage at a time obtained by subtracting a predetermined time interval from the measurement time by referring to the storage unit 73 before performing the measurement. To do. If the voltage value is not recorded in the storage unit 73, the time (that is, the time obtained by subtracting a predetermined time interval from the measurement time) is set as the external power supply voltage non-measurement end time, and the predetermined time sequentially from that time. The recorded value confirmation of the external power supply measurement value at the time obtained by subtracting the time interval is repeated.

This processing operation is repeated until the recording of the measurement value can be confirmed in the storage unit 73. When the measurement value can be confirmed, the time obtained by adding a predetermined time interval to the time when the measurement value can be confirmed, External power supply voltage unmeasured start time. The external power supply voltage unmeasured start time and the end time are recorded as external power supply voltage unmeasured information in the storage unit 73 (step S128: external power supply voltage unmeasured information recording). As described above, since the timer unit 49 is backed up by a battery or a large-capacity capacitor, the time is measured even during a power failure.

Except during a power failure, regardless of whether the user (5) performs channel switching or input / playback circuit power off during the period from the broadcast start time to the broadcast end time of the pay broadcast program subject to the above viewing contract. The control circuit power supply unit 69 supplies driving power to the above-described units of the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27. Therefore, the above-described units of the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27 continue to be driven, and under the control of the calculation unit 77, the radio wave intensity, the radio wave intensity reduction information, the input / reproduction circuit current information, the input / reproduction circuit power-off information, the external Power supply voltage information and tuning channel information are accumulated in the storage unit 73. Further, when the information cannot be recorded in the storage unit 73 due to a power failure, the calculation unit 77 accumulates the information in the storage unit 73 as external power supply voltage unmeasured information.

Next, when the broadcast end time of the pay broadcast program subject to the viewing contract is reached, the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27 side turns off the above-described radio field strength reduction information, radio field strength recovery information, tuning channel information, input / playback circuit power off. The information, the external power supply voltage unmeasured information and the ID information of the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27 are transmitted to the controller 15 side (of the terrestrial broadcasting facility 1) through the communication line 9 (step S129: reception information transmission). When the information is received, on the controller 15 side, the calculation unit 47 transmits the received information to the storage unit 43 shown in FIG.
Is additionally recorded in the reception information storage area indicated by (step S130: reception information reception).
.

On the controller 15 side, “basic information” accumulated in the storage unit 43 as described above,
Then, based on the “reception information”, the calculation unit 47 determines a reception failure with respect to the broadcast reception / playback device 27 and a determination of re-broadcasting (shown in the next step S131). There are several methods for determining the reception failure. In this embodiment, the method described with reference to FIG. 8 is used. As described above, the reception failure cannot be determined as a reception failure due to a radio wave failure in the field of the radio wave failure in the storage area of the determination information 115 shown in FIG. The device is recorded as “0”, and the receiver that has been determined to be reception failure due to radio wave failure is recorded as “1” (step S131).

Next, primary determination of re-broadcasting is further performed on the receiver (broadcast reception / reproduction device 27) (reception failure receiver) that has been determined to be reception failure in step S131 (step S132). There are several methods for primary determination of rebroadcasting. One of them will be described below. That is, at least once between the broadcast start time and the broadcast end time of the pay broadcast program subject to the viewing contract, the input / playback circuit power supply unit 6
7, and the broadcast reception / reproduction device 27 tuned to the channel of the pay broadcast program is targeted, the accumulated time of radio wave failure within the tuned time is the program broadcast time (here 2 hours) ) Is a re-broadcast primary determination receiver that reaches a predetermined ratio (for example, 20%) or more. This determination takes into account the case where the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27 has a reception failure due to a decrease in radio wave intensity, and the user (5) switches from the channel of the pay broadcast program to another channel.

In addition, the reason why the re-broadcast primary determination receiver determines that the accumulated time of radio wave failure within the synchronized time has reached a certain ratio or more with respect to the broadcast time of the pay broadcast program is very This is to exclude the case where the channel is switched due to a radio wave failure in a short time (for example, about 1 minute). As described above, the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27 that has been set as the re-broadcast primary determination receiver by the above-described determination is calculated by the calculation unit 47 in the storage area of the determination information 115 shown in FIG. In the column,
Recorded as “2”.

Further, in the determination, at least a momentary power failure (for example, 30 caused by a lightning strike) occurs between the broadcast start time and the broadcast end time of the pay broadcast program that is the target of the viewing contract.
Even if one or more power outages occur (except for power outages that recover within seconds), the rebroadcast primary determination receiver is used. Also in this determination, the calculation unit 47
In the case of the power failure column in the storage area of the determination information 115 shown in FIG. 15 of the storage unit 43, “0” is set when the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27 cannot be determined as the re-broadcast primary determination receiver due to power failure. When it is determined that the receiver is a rebroadcast primary determination receiver due to power failure, “2” is recorded.

Based on these pieces of information, a final determination as to whether or not the user (5) is a user who can be rebroadcasted is made in the next step S133.

That is, the reception failure occurrence time is compared for the broadcast reception / reproduction device 27 in which the field of radio wave failure in the storage area of the determination information 115 described above is “2”, and at least two broadcast reception / reproduction devices 27 at the same time. “1” for poor radio wave rebroadcast determination when reception failure occurs
In other cases, “0” is recorded in the field of radio wave defect of rebroadcast determination in the determination information 115. Further, for the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27 whose power failure column is “2”, the time of occurrence of power failure is compared, and at least two broadcast receiving / reproducing devices 2 at the same time.
7, the power failure re-broadcast determination when the power failure has occurred is set to “1”, and the other cases are set to “0” and recorded in the power failure column of the re-broadcast determination in the determination information 115 (step S 133: Broadcast final judgment).

Here, the comparison of the radio wave failure occurrence time and the power failure occurrence time is performed by the determination information 115.
In addition to the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27 whose radio wave failure column and power supply failure column are “2”, all information listed in the “information regarding broadcast reception” shown in FIG. When a radio wave failure or power supply failure has occurred for a predetermined number or more (two or more in this case) of broadcast reception / playback devices 27, the radio wave failure / power supply failure column is “2”. On the other hand, the rebroadcast determination is “1”. In addition, in order to further increase the accuracy, for example, using postal code information, whether or not a plurality of (two) broadcast receiving / reproducing devices 27 in which the above-described problem has occurred exist in adjacent areas. In some cases, such a check operation is added. The determination as to whether or not each broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27 can be a rebroadcast target of the pay broadcast program is stored in the program storage unit 45 of the controller 15 as described above. This is performed by the calculation unit 47 using the rebroadcast target receiver determination program. The rebroadcast target receiver determination program is read from the program storage unit 45 by the arithmetic unit 47 and used at any time.

When the above-mentioned radio wave defect rebroadcast final determination or power supply defect rebroadcast final determination is “1” and finally it is determined that “reception failure has occurred”, the calculation unit 47 is as shown in FIG. In the data display 41.
To display. When the operator of the controller 15 who sees this information inputs a command of “detailed information” display to the controller 15 by operating the key of the keyboard unit 39,
“Information regarding broadcast reception” shown in FIG. 15 is displayed on the data display section 41. If the operator who sees this determines that re-broadcasting of the pay broadcast program is appropriate, the date and time of rebroadcasting and the channel used for rebroadcasting are determined. In the decision to use the channel, when the public broadcast channel is used, the pay broadcast program is rebroadcasted on a date and time when there is no broadcast program. In addition, in the above-described determination of channel use, there may be a case where a channel that is allocated in advance for rebroadcasting is used separately from a non-public channel, that is, a public broadcast channel. In addition to the above determination, the operator further determines the contents of charge deduction and return, and inputs the determined contents to the controller 15 by key operation of the keyboard unit 39 (step S134).

Next, the calculation unit 47 of the controller 15 displays the input information, that is, the scheduled date and time of the rebroadcast as shown in FIG. 12, the scheduled channel, or the contents of the subtraction or return of the charge. Then, the data is transmitted to the broadcast receiving device of the user (5) through the communication line 9 (Step S135: Rebroadcast information transmission). The broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27 and the broadcast receiving / recording device 29 included in the broadcast receiving device of the user (5) receive information such as the scheduled re-broadcast date and time of the pay broadcast program, the scheduled channel, or the contents of the charge subtraction or return. Then (step S136: Rebroadcast information reception), the rebroadcast information display unit 51 (on the broadcast reception / playback device 27 side) and the rebroadcast information display unit 81 (on the broadcast reception recorder 29 side) shown in FIG. Such incoming rebroadcast information is displayed (step S137: Rebroadcast information display).

The user (5) who sees this displays the detailed information (shown in FIG. 12) on the video / audio data reproduction unit 61 by operating the keys of the keyboard unit 53 on the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27 side. Or the keyboard section 8 on the broadcast receiving / recording machine 29 side.
The rebroadcast information display unit 81 is displayed by operating the 3 key. Next, the user (5) looks at the displayed detailed information and selects (broadcast reception) from the detailed information to select, for example, a desired date and time for re-broadcasting of the pay broadcast program, a discount on the charge, etc. The key of the keyboard unit 53 (on the playback device 27 side) is operated, or the key of the keyboard unit 83 (on the broadcast reception recording device 29 side) is operated.

Here, when the user (5) selects the rebroadcast of the pay broadcast program, the video / audio data reproduction unit 61 or the rebroadcast information display unit 81 next displays (TV viewing, reserved recording) as shown in FIG. , A selection screen for selecting any one of them is displayed. Looking at this selection screen, the user (5) operates the key of the keyboard unit 53 or operates the key of the keyboard unit 83, thereby re-broadcasting the pay broadcast program, the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27, the broadcast After selecting which of the reception recorders 29 to receive, the video / audio data playback unit 61 or the rebroadcast information display unit 81
The timer-reservation selection screen shown in FIG. 14 is displayed. Looking at this selection screen, when the user (5) selects whether to make a timer reservation by operating a key on the keyboard unit 53 or by operating a key on the keyboard unit 83, the selection is made. The information indicating the result is transmitted from the broadcast receiving device of the user (5) to the controller 15 through the communication line 9 together with the information indicating the selection result related to the reception (step S138).

When the detailed information shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the video / audio data reproduction unit 61 or the rebroadcast information display unit 81, and the user (5) selects the rebroadcast of the pay broadcast program. The controller 15 transmits information on the date and time of re-broadcasting of the pay broadcast program and the channel to the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27 or the broadcast receiving / recording device 29 through the communication line 9 (step S139). Here, when the user (5) selects the timer reservation (present) and the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27, the arithmetic unit 77 causes the timer unit 49 of the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27 to perform channel tuning on the rebroadcast date. Timer information for video / audio data playback is set. On the other hand, when the user (5) selects the timer reservation (present) and the broadcast reception recorder 29, the calculation unit 107 is selected.
Thus, channel information for rebroadcast date and timer information for recording are set in the timer unit 79 of the broadcast receiving recorder 29 (step S140). When the rebroadcast time comes, the broadcast reception / playback device 27 automatically plays back video / audio data, or the broadcast reception recording device 29 automatically records (step S141).

Setting of the normal radio wave intensity of the broadcast reception / reproduction device 27 or the broadcast reception recording device 29 of the user (5) is performed by the following procedure, for example.

First, the calculation unit 47 of the controller 15 measures the device ID and the received radio field intensity of the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27 or the broadcast receiving / recording machine 29 that is the collection target of the received radio wave intensity a plurality of times (over a plurality of days). It is desirable to measure by changing the measurement time), the recording of the measurement result, and the transmission time information of the recording result are superimposed on the broadcast signal (2, 4) from the external device control unit 37 to the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27. Or to the broadcast reception recorder 29. In the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27 or the broadcast receiving / recording device 29 that has received this information, the device ID transmitted from the controller 15 side and the device ID of itself (the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27 or the broadcast receiving / recording device 29) If both match, the timer unit 4
9 or the timer unit 79 is set with the measurement time, the recording location of the measurement data, and the transmission time of the recording data. Next, when the set transmission time is reached, the timer unit 49
(Or 79) is activated, and the transmission target data stored in the storage unit 73 (or 103) passes through the communication unit 55 (or 85) and the communication line 9 under the control of the calculation unit 77 (or 107). It is transmitted to the controller 15 side and stored in the storage unit 43 of the controller 15. Then, the calculation unit 47 activates the normal radio field intensity calculation program read from the program storage unit 45, and based on the radio field intensity information accumulated in the storage unit 43,
For example, the normal radio field intensity is calculated by the calculation method described with reference to FIG.

The normal radio wave intensity of the user (5) calculated by the controller 15 in this way is recorded in the storage unit 43 as “basic information” as shown in FIG.
Transmitted to the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27 or the broadcast receiving / recording device 29 through the communication line 9,
Storage unit 73 (of broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27) or storage unit 1 (of broadcast receiving / recording device 29)
03 is recorded as information of normal radio field intensity.

By the way, in one embodiment of the present invention described above, when a part of one pay broadcast program is poorly received, not only the poorly received part but also the entire pay broadcast program as a target is rebroadcasted. As explained. However, in the case of broadcast reception by recording, video / audio data is divided into predetermined block units, and each block is divided into, for example, t ₁ , t ₂ , t ₃ , t ₄ , t ₅ , t ₆ ,. By superimposing and transmitting time information such as..., It is possible to limit the target of rebroadcasting to only poor reception parts.

FIG. 17 shows an example of partial rebroadcasting of the pay broadcast program when the recharged broadcast program is recorded on a linear recording medium such as a video tape in the embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows.

In FIG. 17, time information t ₁ , time information t ₂ , time information t ₃ , time information t ₄
Of the blocks on which the time information t ₅ and the time information t ₆ are superimposed, for example, if the block on which the time information t ₃ is superimposed corresponds to a poor reception portion, it has already been recorded on the tape. among the blocks, the portion of the block superimposed time information t _3, by recording overlapping the block corresponding to the received bad block, the receiving defective portion is eliminated. Therefore, (the even block, the time information t ₃ is superposed) corresponding blocks to the block superimposed time information t ₃ does not occur alone disadvantage rebroadcast only.

FIG. 18 shows a partial rebroadcast of a pay broadcast program in the case where the pay broadcast program to be rebroadcasted is recorded by a random access recording medium such as a hard disk recorder or a memory card. It is explanatory drawing which shows the one Example which concerns.

In FIG. 18, time information t ₁ , time information t ₂ , time information t ₃ , time information t ₄
Of the blocks in which the time information t ₅ and the time information t ₆ are superposed, for example, the block in which the time t ₃ is superposed corresponds to a reception failure portion. similar to, it does not occur inconvenience just rebroadcast only the blocks corresponding to the block superimposed time information t _3.
In this case, the block corresponding to the time information t ₃ when the rebroadcast (this block is also time information t ₃ is superimposed) may be recorded in any storage area in the random access recording medium . This is because the recording medium is a random access type reproduction medium, so that it can be demodulated in order of time information regardless of the storage area.

In the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the determination condition for radio wave failure is “accumulation time of radio wave failure is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio (for example, 20%) predetermined with respect to the broadcast time of the pay broadcast program. When the channel is switched in the middle, the accumulated time of radio wave failure in the time synchronized with the channel of the pay broadcast program is determined in advance with respect to the broadcast time of the pay broadcast program. It has been described that the number of broadcast receivers that have failed to be received is more than a certain number (for example, 20%).

Such complicated determination conditions are suitable when the user (5) uses the broadcast reception recorder 29 to timer-record the pay broadcast program. However, when the user (5) is watching in real time by the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27,
Since it is assumed that the user (5) often switches to another channel that can be viewed when a radio wave failure occurs, the condition for determining the radio wave failure is set to “After receiving a pay broadcast program subject to a viewing contract, The number of broadcast receiving / reproducing devices 27 and broadcast receiving / recording devices 29 that have switched to another channel or turned off the input / reproducing circuit power within the time when the occurrence of the error has been calculated and exceeded a predetermined number. In this case, the radio wave failure determination condition may be used in combination with the above-described radio wave failure determination condition. In this case, in order to avoid accidents, it is desirable to set a large value for the number of units that serves as a criterion for determination.

For example, the value of the number serving as a reference for the determination is defined as a ratio with respect to the number of paid broadcast programs that are subject to the viewing contract once viewed, and the determination ratio is set to 20% or more. Of course, the numerical value of this determination ratio is an example, and is not limited to this. Also,
Here, it has been described that the user (5) switches to another channel that can be viewed when the pay broadcast program 27 is viewed in real time by the broadcast receiving / reproducing device 27. However, as in the above embodiment, satellite relay is performed. In broadcasting using equipment 3 and broadcasting using communication satellites, in areas where radio wave defects occur, radio wave defects often occur not only for specific channels but for all channels. Added detection of regeneration circuit power off.

In the above embodiment, the timing of sending / receiving the “information regarding broadcast reception” shown in FIG. 15 has been described as the end of the pay broadcast program. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the radio wave intensity is set to the normal radio wave intensity. Various cases can be assumed, such as the time of return, the time when the defective time of the radio field intensity exceeds a certain time, or the time when a command is output from the controller 15.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, rebroadcast due to bad weather or a power failure has been described as an example. However, in general, poor reception caused by causes not attributable to the receiver (user), such as failure of the satellite relay facility 3 or jamming radio waves. It goes without saying that is also applicable.

As described above, according to an embodiment of the present invention, re-broadcasting, fee discounts, etc. are supported for poor reception caused by causes not attributable to the receiver (user) such as radio wave failure and power failure. -Service can be provided, and the disadvantage of the recipient (user) due to poor reception can be greatly reduced.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but this is an example for explaining the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The present invention can be implemented in various other forms. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the broadcast reception device owned by each user (5, 7) has been described as a fixed broadcast reception device installed in the living room of each home. However, the mobile broadcast reception device (In some cases, the present invention can also be applied to a mobile phone, a mobile personal computer terminal, or a portable DVD player or the like with a built-in TV tuner).

1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a broadcast service providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram which shows an example of a structure with which the terrestrial broadcasting equipment of FIG. 1 is provided. The block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the broadcast receiving apparatus which each user of FIG. 1 owns. The functional block diagram which shows an example of a structure with which the control apparatus of FIG. 2 is provided. The functional block diagram which showed the structure of the broadcast receiving / reproducing machine concerning one Embodiment of this invention. The functional block diagram which shows an example of a structure with which the broadcast reception recording device of FIG. 3 is provided. The figure which shows an example of the determination of the normal radio wave intensity which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the definition for determining the reception defect based on one Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the screen displayed on the data display part of a controller at the time of poor reception in one Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the input screen showing the coping method by the broadcaster side with respect to reception failure in one Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the screen displayed on a user's broadcast receiving apparatus, when the information regarding rebroadcasting arrives at a user's broadcast receiving apparatus from a controller in one Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the display screen of the detailed information regarding the rebroadcast transmitted from a broadcast provider to a user's broadcast receiver in one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a screen indicating a result of a user's selection from the detailed information display screen related to rebroadcasting illustrated in FIG. 12 in the embodiment of the present invention. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the timer-reservation selection screen displayed on a user's broadcast receiver in one Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows one Example of the data structure used for the cause analysis of a reception defect when the reception defect generate | occur | produces in the broadcast service provision system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows an example of the processing operation of determination and re-transmission when reception failure occurs in the broadcast service providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Explanatory drawing which shows one Example which concerns on the partial rebroadcast of this pay broadcasting program in the case of recording the pay broadcasting program rebroadcasted by a linear recording medium in one Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows one Example which concerns on the partial rebroadcast of this pay broadcasting program in the case of recording the pay broadcasting program rebroadcasted by a random access recording medium in one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Terrestrial broadcasting equipment 2, 4 Broadcasting radio wave 3 Satellite relay equipment 5, 7 User (broadcast receiving device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 Communication line 11 Broadcast data storage device 13 Data transmitter 15 Controller 17 Transmission antenna 19, 21, 23, 25 Data line 27 Broadcast receiving / reproducing device 29 Broadcast receiving recorder 31 Reception antenna 33 Broadcast cable 35, 55, 85 Communication part 37 External device control unit 39, 53, 83 Keyboard unit 41 Data display unit 43, 73, 103 Storage unit 45 Program storage unit 47, 77, 107 Calculation unit 49, 79 Timer unit 51, 81 Rebroadcast information display unit 57, 87 Radio wave intensity measurement unit 59, 89 Broadcast signal reception unit 61 Video / audio data reproduction unit 63 Video / audio data input unit 65 Input / reproduction circuit current measurement unit 67 Input / reproduction circuit power supply unit 69, 99 Control circuit power supply unit 71, 101 External power supply voltage measurement unit 75, 105 ID storage unit 91 Video / audio data recording unit 93 Image and audio data output unit 95 records and output circuit current measurement unit 97 outputs and reproducing circuit power supply section

Claims (5)

In a broadcast receiving apparatus capable of receiving a broadcast program desired by a user from broadcast programs provided for a fee by a broadcaster ,
Detecting means for detecting first reception information relating to a quality of a broadcast signal of the desired broadcast program and second reception information relating to an operation state of the broadcast receiving device when receiving the desired broadcast program ;
The device ID information of the broadcast receiving apparatus is transmitted to the broadcast provider side together with the first reception information and the second reception information detected by the detection means, and the first and second reception information are A communication unit capable of receiving service information for a desired broadcast program having a poor reception, transmitted from the broadcaster side when indicating a poor reception of the desired broadcast program in the broadcast receiving device corresponding to the device ID;
A display unit capable of displaying the service information received by the communication unit;
A broadcast receiving apparatus comprising: The broadcast receiving device according to claim 1,
The service information received by the communication unit includes an option for selecting rebroadcast of a desired broadcast program with poor reception or returning a fee charged for the desired broadcast program,
The broadcast receiving apparatus , wherein the communication unit transmits content selected by a user from options included in the service information displayed by the display unit to the broadcaster side . The broadcast receiving device according to claim 1,
The broadcast receiving apparatus characterized in that the detection means detects the received radio wave intensity of the broadcast signal as the first reception information relating to the quality of the broadcast signal of the desired broadcast program . The broadcast receiving device according to claim 1,
The detection unit detects a current of an internal circuit of the broadcast reception device and a power supply voltage of the broadcast reception device as second reception information relating to an operation state of the broadcast reception device. The broadcast receiving device according to claim 2 ,
The broadcast reception apparatus , wherein the service information related to the desired broadcast program further includes information on a scheduled re-broadcast date and a scheduled channel of the desired broadcast program .

Images