JP4402408B2 - Intermediate server used for digital TV broadcasting service - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a transmission data re-editing system in data broadcasting, and a relay server used therefor. The present invention also relates to a system for reducing the burden of data broadcast program production linked to a broadcast program and diverting existing program data with an interactive function.

  As digital broadcasting services with data broadcasting, BS digital broadcasting has been started since 2000, and CS110 ° digital broadcasting has been started since 2002. Furthermore, terrestrial digitalization started at the end of 2003, and in 2011, the current analog broadcasting will be terminated, and terrestrial digitalization will be completed. Since data broadcasting accompanying digital broadcasting can add various functions to TV broadcasting, an effective usage method is being sought.

  One feature of data broadcasting is the interactive function. In order to realize the bidirectional function, the digital broadcast receiver is equipped with a modem or a LAN communication board. With this function, viewers can transmit the viewer information selected during the TV program to a specific server on the network via a telephone line or LAN cable, and it is possible to collect various information from the viewer. Become. As interactive scenes, data broadcasts such as questionnaires, quizzes, and product sales linked to the contents of video programs are broadcast, and during the program broadcast, the questionnaire responses, product orders, etc. are sent to the receiver. Transmission to the specific server through a network connection function can be considered.

  In general, in order to use an interactive service provided by a broadcast station, registration with a member organization operated by the broadcast station is required. The data required for registration varies from station to station. The registered member information is managed by the broadcast station on the member management server, but is also stored in the storage medium on the receiver for each broadcast station. The personal authentication process is realized by acquiring and transmitting this information.

  In addition, an IC card (B-CAS card) is used to uniquely identify viewers in digital broadcasting. In general, the B-CAS card is used for limited viewing or limited reception that realizes pay broadcasting.

  As a description language for data broadcasting contents of digital broadcasting, BML (Broadcast Markup Language) is scheduled to be used in terrestrial digital broadcasting as well as BS digital broadcasting CS110 degree digital broadcasting that has already started service. BML is a description language dedicated to data broadcasting based on XML (eXtensible Markup Language). Just as a WWW browser interprets HTML (HyperText Markup Language) data and displays it on a computer screen, a receiver that supports data broadcasting interprets data broadcast content data written in BML and displays it on the TV screen. It has a display function.

  Interactive functions in data broadcasting are controlled by BML and scripts in BML. Data transmission to the server is a method of sending only text data, and is realized by the flow of editing transmission data, establishing connection with the server, sending data, receiving processing results, and post-processing for each result, all in one Completed with BML script.

  FIG. 4 is a format example of a transmission message used for an interactive service currently used in data broadcasting. The transmission message is generally composed of transmission content information and bidirectional header information, which are information that a viewer inputs and selects when viewing a program. The transmission content information (user data in FIG. 4) is usually information input by the viewer, such as the viewer's personal information, questionnaire responses, product order information, and the like. On the other hand, the bidirectional header information is information determined by member information, a broadcasting station, and a program type. Depending on the application system, for example, the member ID may be included in the bi-directional header information, and the detailed portions differ for each server used by the broadcast station or program. At present, this bidirectional header information is directly specified by a script in the BML for each program by reading the member information stored in the storage medium of the receiver.

FIG. 10 is a format example of a response message used for an interactive service currently used in data broadcasting. The response message uses various formats and response data depending on the application system of the server used in the broadcasting station or program. Therefore, the BML that operates in the receiver even if it receives a response message with the same contents, such as processing the requested process normally, must execute a processing procedure according to the application system of the server used in the broadcasting station or program .

  Currently, when creating a BML with a bidirectional function, which is a program of a data broadcast program that can be accessed from a television receiver side through a network, a bidirectional header information is directly specified by a script in the BML. Yes. Therefore, when producing, different parameters are set for each broadcasting station and program, and the production load is very high. FIG. 3 shows this state. Since the format of the header information of the transmission data handled by each broadcasting station system is different between the broadcasting stations A, B, and C, for the broadcasting station A program, the broadcasting station B program, and the broadcasting station C program, Each must be programmed with a BML script.

  Since the data broadcast program is produced in this way, in the case of BML content with an interactive function linked to the video program, it cannot be reused for other broadcast stations or other programs. Also, if a parameter is incorrectly specified, it cannot be corrected in real time. If the registration / content change process is not completed normally, the member information in the receiver may differ from the content managed by the member management database.

Therefore, the present invention eliminates the need to set different parameters for each broadcasting station or program when producing BML with interactive functions, and is used to enable an interactive function service that can reduce the load during production. It is an object to provide a relay server that can be used. In addition, a relay service called “two-way service system” is operated between a television receiver and a server installed by a broadcasting station for the purpose of traffic control for relaying transmission data to various broadcasting station servers ( However, the relay server to be provided by the present invention is different from this.
“Digital Broadcasting Handbook” (Supervised by Atsushi Yamada / IPSJ) p. 462

A first invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a transmission message including a broadcast station identifier and a program identifier transmitted to a broadcast station server by a bidirectional function of a television receiver in a digital broadcast service, and the transmission message An intermediate server that relays response messages from the broadcast station server to
Message conversion relay means for converting the transmission message into a format that can be received by the broadcasting station server, and converting the response message into a format that can be processed by a BML script of a television receiver ;
With the broadcasting station identifier and program identifier included in the transmission message as keys, the message conversion relay means includes a broadcasting station / program information management database for extracting parameters to be set uniquely for each broadcasting station,
The message conversion relay means adds the information to be specified for each broadcasting station based on the extracted parameters to the contents of the original transmission message, and changes the message to a format that can be received by the broadcasting station server. It is an intermediate server characterized by relaying to a server.

  Here, the BML script is a script described in ECMAScript and is a part included in data of a data broadcast program described in BML (Broadcast Markup Language). BML can describe a processing procedure in a procedure description language called ECMAScript so that a dynamic operation can be expressed on a data broadcast screen. ECMAScript is an object-oriented scripting language. Various broadcast service extended functions are provided for recording data in the non-volatile memory of the receiver, temporarily prohibiting updating of the screen display, and recording recording of programs.

By providing a broadcast station / program information management database, it is possible to separate management of parameters to be set uniquely for each broadcast station from the logic of conversion processing in the message conversion relay means. Therefore, it is possible to access the intermediate server from the broadcasting station side and change and add parameters to be set uniquely for each broadcasting station and program without affecting the message conversion relay means.

In the broadcast station / program information management database, the BML script of the television receiver can recognize information representing the response result on the broadcast station side included in the response message that the broadcast station server responds in a format specified for each broadcast station. It is more preferable that the information indicating the correspondence for converting into the information indicating the response result is also held for each broadcast station and each program. As a result, the processing by the BML script of the data broadcast program with the interactive function executes processing for the response message defined as standard, and therefore from the complexity that arises from handling different response messages for each broadcasting station. Because it is released.

In a further preferred aspect of the first invention, the transmission message transmitted from the receiver includes a management number for specifying the transmission subject, and specifies the transmission subject included in the transmission message transmitted from the receiver. The message conversion relay means has a member management database for extracting personal information registered for each broadcasting station from a management number or B-CAS number uniquely set for each viewer. Is an intermediate server characterized by

  By providing the member management database, it is possible to separate the management of personal information that is uniquely set for each broadcasting station from the logic of conversion processing in the message conversion relay means. Therefore, it is also possible to access the intermediate server from the broadcasting station side as needed, and to change or add member information managed for each broadcasting station without affecting the message conversion relay means. It becomes.

In the intermediate server according to the first aspect of the invention, the message conversion relay means is unique for each broadcaster identifier and program identifier included in the transmission message transmitted from the receiver , and for each viewer for specifying the transmission subject. Refer to the broadcast station / program information management database and the member management database from the set management number or B-CAS number, parameters to be set uniquely for each broadcast station, and individuals registered for each broadcast station Extract the information, add the information to be specified for each broadcast station to the transmission content information described in the transmission telegram, change it into a telegram in a format that can be received by the broadcast station server, and relay to the broadcast station server ,
When a response message is received from the broadcast station server, the response message of the broadcast station server is identified again by referring to the broadcast station / program information management database, and converted into a response message in a format that can be received by the BML script of the receiver. And may be configured to operate so as to relay.

By installing the intermediate server according to the present invention between the receiver and the broadcast station server and relaying the message traffic between the receiver and the broadcast server generated by using the bidirectional function, the BML script The complexity of handling information that must be set uniquely for each broadcasting station is eliminated. As a result, the production of a data broadcast program with an interactive function is remarkably simplified. In addition, the data broadcasting program with a bidirectional function can be easily used between stations.

  FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a digital broadcast service system system 1 (hereinafter “system 1”) including an intermediate server 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 200 represents a broadcasting station. A broadcast station server 208 is installed by a broadcast station or the like. It is a server that viewers access using interactive functions. 6 is a relay satellite. Broadcast radio waves are transmitted from the broadcast antenna 209 toward the relay satellite 6. In the case of terrestrial digital broadcasting that is scheduled to be implemented in the future, broadcast radio waves are relayed by a ground relay facility instead of the relay satellite 6. Reference numeral 100 denotes a viewer's home facility. Reference numerals 39 and 38 denote receiving antennas. Broadcast radio waves are received by the receiving antennas 38 and 39, tuned by the receiver 30, decoded into digital video signals, and displayed on the TV monitor 31. Reference numeral 33 denotes an IC card (B-CAS card) inserted into the receiver 30 during viewing. Reference numeral 34 denotes a remote controller.

  The receiver 30 has a network interface and accesses the broadcast station server 208 through the circuit switching network 9 to obtain content data as a part of the program and content data related to the stored program, or on the viewer side. Can send some information to such servers.

  Reference numeral 20 denotes an intermediate server. When the viewer accesses the broadcasting station server 208 using the interactive function, the transmission message and the response message are relayed. FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the intermediate server. The intermediate server 20 includes a header information conversion unit 21, a broadcasting station / program information management database 22, a member management database 23, and a database management unit 24. Hereinafter, each component of the intermediate server 20 will be described.

  First, the broadcast station / program information management database 22 will be described. FIG. 6A shows the contents of data managed by the broadcast station / program information management database 22. The broadcast station / program information management database 22 is a collection of two types of data records: station-specific data constituting one record with the broadcast station identifier as a key, and program data constituting one record with the program identifier as a key. The station-specific data includes a broadcast station identifier, a bidirectional parameter, and a reception parameter as one record. The bidirectional parameter is information used for header information of a transmission message sent to each broadcast station server 208 and a response message from the broadcast station server 208. It is defined for each broadcasting station for the convenience of broadcasting station management. For example, a connection destination ID, a service type, a data type, a provider ID, and the like. The reception parameter is information used for a response message from the broadcast station server 208. For example, a code indicating the result of the viewer's access and the state of the broadcasting station server 208 and the expression wording when the viewer is informed are recorded. Similarly, program data is recorded with a program identifier, a bidirectional parameter unique to the program, and a reception parameter. In addition, in the case of program data, a program name, a broadcast time zone, and a program type (drama, sports, news reports, variety, etc. are distinguished) are recorded.

  Next, the member management database 23 will be described. FIG. 6B shows the contents of data managed by the member management database 23. The member management database 23 records and manages the viewer's name, address, and all registered member information as one record using the B-CAS card number as a key. Member information registered and managed for one B-CAS card number is recorded centrally. This is because the corresponding one record is extracted using the B-CAS card number as a key so that all broadcast stations can be supported.

  The intermediate server 20 is provided with database management means 24. The broadcast station / program information management database 22 and the member management database 23 can be registered through the network through the database management means 24 to register new data, update registered data, delete data, and the like. In the broadcast station / program information management database 22, in addition to the station-specific data and program data, a program broadcast time table is recorded and managed for each broadcast station. This table describes information such as a time zone during which bidirectional access can be accepted for a program with a bidirectional function linked to a main line video.

  Next, the operation of the message conversion relay unit 21 will be described. The message conversion relay unit 21 receives a transmission message from the receiver 30, converts the message into a format that can be received by the broadcast station server 208, and sends the converted message to the server 208 of the target broadcast station. Also, a response message from the broadcast station server 208 is received, converted into a standard format in which the BML of the interactive program of the receiver 30 is easy to handle, and sent to the receiver 30 of the response destination. Thus, the telegram relay means 21 converts the telegram, so that the processing of the BML script of the data broadcast program is freed from the complexity of preparing bidirectional header information that must be specified for each broadcast station at the time of telegram transmission. In addition, it is free from the complexity of having to perform various response processing for each broadcast station in response to a response message from the broadcast station.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining format conversion of a transmission message. FIG. 5A shows a format of a transmission message A transmitted from the receiver. The transmission data (for example, an answer to a questionnaire) is added with a broadcasting station / program identifier and a viewer's B-CAS card number as header information. Since the broadcast station identifier and the program identifier are both information added to the broadcast wave, the message A can be easily configured on the receiver side. FIG. 5B shows the format of the transmission message B that is converted by the message conversion relay means 21 and sent to the broadcast station server 208. The transmission message B is composed of a bidirectional header part and a user data part, but there are differences in format details depending on the application system of the server used in the broadcasting station or program. FIG. 5B illustrates a case where there are two transmission telegrams B depending on the application system. The bidirectional header of the transmission message B is configured by adding a TID (transaction ID) to the header of the currently used transmission message shown in FIG. The user data is the same as the user data of the currently used transmission message shown in FIG. The transaction ID (TID) is an ID for taking correspondence between the transmitted message B and the response message B transmitted from the broadcast station server 208 as a response to the transmitted message B later, and is generated and added by the message conversion relay unit 21. Information.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the format conversion of the response message. The upper part of the figure shows various response message formats transmitted by the broadcast station server 208. These response messages are composed of TIDs for the correspondence between the bidirectional header part, the response data part, and the transmission message B. However, error codes vary depending on the broadcasting station, and the details vary depending on the broadcasting station. is there. The lower part of the figure shows the format of the response message A converted by the message conversion relay means 21 and returned to the receiver 30. The response message A is composed of a bidirectional header part and a response data part. The bidirectional header part is composed of station-specific parameters and program parameters.

  Next, the processing operation of the message conversion relay means 21 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. First, the transmission message conversion relay processing of FIG. 8 will be described.

  First, the transmission message A sent from the receiver 30 is received (S40). A broadcast station / program identifier is acquired from the header information of the transmitted message A (S42). The current time is acquired (S44). With reference to the broadcast station identifier and the program identifier, the program broadcast time table of the corresponding broadcast station is referred to and it is checked whether or not the current time is a time zone for accepting a bidirectional request (S45). If it is not the time to accept the bidirectional request, it is recorded that it is outside the acceptance time (S47), and the process jumps to step S76 in FIG. 8 to return a response message to that effect.

  If it is time to accept the bidirectional request, the process of converting the transmission message A into the transmission message B and sending it to the server 208 is then performed. First, a transaction ID (TID) is generated. The TID is a serial number given for each transaction managed by the intermediate server, and it is assigned to the content that there is a transaction with the same number at the same time. Then, the TID and the identification information of the sender of the transmitted message A are paired and recorded on the intermediate server (S46). Next, the broadcast station / program information management database 22 is searched using the broadcast station identifier and the program identifier as keys, and bidirectional parameters (station-specific parameters, program parameters) corresponding to the transmission message A are acquired (S48). Further, the destination of the transmission telegram B is determined from the broadcast station identifier (S50). When the intermediate server and the broadcast station server 208 are connected via the Internet, the IP address of the server 208 is used as the destination. Next, the member management database 23 is searched using the B-CAS card number of the transmission message A as a key, and the member information of the sender of the transmission message A is acquired (S52). Since the necessary information has been prepared, the transmission telegram B is constructed (S54). The transmission message B is transmitted as a communication protocol message that can be received by the server 208 (S56).

  Next, the response message conversion relay processing will be described with reference to FIG. When the response message B is received from the server 208 (S70), the message conversion relay means 21 first reads the TID, extracts the TID recorded in step S46 and the record of the transmission source receiver, and sends the response message B. The destination is determined (S72). Next, from the response message B, station-specific parameters, program parameters, header information indicating the processing results in the bidirectional header portion, and the contents of response data are acquired (S74). Corresponding station-specific data and program data recorded and managed in the broadcast station / program information management database 22 are identified from the acquired station-specific parameters and program parameters, and from these, reception parameters and errors corresponding to the processing results and response data A message text is acquired (S76). Since the information for creating the response message A has been prepared, the response message A is configured (S78). The created response message A is transmitted to the response receiver 30 determined in step S72 (S80).

The function and operation of the intermediate server 20 have been described in detail above. Next, the operation mode of the bidirectional function using this system will be described in time series.
1. The broadcasting station accesses the intermediate server 20 and creates the broadcasting station / program information management database 22.
2. The viewer performs registration with the broadcasting station. The broadcast station accesses the intermediate server 20 and registers the acquired member information for each broadcast station in the member management database 23 using the B-CAS card number as a key and the member information for each broadcast station. It is also possible to register all the broadcasting stations with one registration by accessing one broadcasting station or an organization representing the broadcasting station.
3. Viewers. The television receiver 30 receives a program with an interactive function. When the viewer selects the display of the data broadcast program by operating the remote controller, the data broadcast content with the interactive function is launched. A product purchase application screen, a questionnaire response screen, a sweepstakes application screen, etc. are displayed. The viewer selects and inputs necessary items. Thereafter, a transmission command is designated at an arbitrary timing.
4). When the transmission command is received, the transmission message A to be transmitted to the intermediate server is edited and created by the script processing in the BML and transmitted. Details of this processing will be described later.
5). The intermediate server 20 converts the received transmission message A into a transmission message B corresponding to the broadcasting station, attaches a TID, and transmits it to the broadcasting station server 208.
6). When the broadcast station server 208 receives the transmission message B, the application on the broadcast station server is executed according to the contents of the message B.
7). A response message B is transmitted from the broadcast station server 208 to the intermediate server 20 based on the processing result of the application.
8). The intermediate server 20 converts the received response message B into a standardized response message A received by the receiver 30, specifies a receiver to which the response message should be returned by TID, and transmits it to the receiver.
9. The BML script that has received the response message A displays a result such as a confirmation message or an error message.

  Since the intermediate server 20 performs conversion from the transmission message A to the transmission message B and the conversion from the response message B to the response message A, the BML script for moving the program with the interactive function is an operation process unique to the broadcasting station and the program. There is no need to perform the process, and only the processing related to the transmission message A and the response message A needs to be performed. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining processing of a BML script that moves a program with an interactive function. Hereinafter, the processing of the BML script described in the program data with interactive function will be described with reference to FIG.

  The television receiver 30 receives a data broadcast program with a bidirectional function (S10). A viewer selects a data broadcasting program with an interactive function, and inputs data necessary for questionnaire responses, article purchase, etc. on a data input screen. At the same time, viewer information is also input (S12). Thereafter, the receiver 30 receives an information transmission command by remote control operation (S14). First, the BML acquires service ID and event ID from the broadcast wave, and temporarily stores them as a broadcast station identifier and a program identifier (S16). Next, the B-CAS number is read through a card reader / writer and temporarily stored (S18). The transmission telegram A in which the broadcast station identifier, the program identifier, and the B-CAS number are added as header information to the data input in step S12 is edited (S20). The transmission message A is transmitted to the corresponding intermediate server (S22).

  The response message A is received from the intermediate server 20 as the processing result of the broadcast station server 208 (S24). The processing result described in the response message A is read (S26). Processing according to the processing result is executed (S28). In the response message A, whether the processing request by the transmission message A has been normally completed by the broadcasting station server, or the content of the transmission message A is incomplete and the processing request has not been accepted, or the bidirectional processing request Since it is an unacceptable time zone, information indicating whether or not the intermediate server itself rejected the process of relaying the transmission message A to the broadcast station server is indicated by a return value defined as a standard. Therefore, the BML script does not need to perform processing according to the return value defined for each broadcasting station, and can describe the processing procedure according to the standardly determined return value as a script.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a flow of message transmission when the intermediate server 20 is introduced. The difference from FIG. 3 is remarkable in that the BML on the receiver side can describe the process of creating a transmission message and the process according to the content of the response message with a common instruction code regardless of the broadcasting station.

The operation mode of the bidirectional function using the system 1 has been described in time series. In the system 1 described above as the best embodiment of the present invention, the B-CAS card number is used as information for specifying the primary key of one record of the member management database 23 and the transmission subject of the transmission message A. This is used as a preferred example of a management number uniquely set for each viewer that can be read from the receiver's BML script from the storage medium built in the receiver or the IC card inserted in the receiver. It is what. Therefore, a system that uses a number other than the B-CAS card number as identification information that identifies the caller can also be constructed as another embodiment of the present invention.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a data broadcasting interactive service including an intermediate server 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a configuration diagram of an intermediate server 20. FIG. It is a figure explaining the message | telegram transmission in the conventional data broadcasting interactive service. It is a format explanatory drawing of the transmission message conventionally used. It is explanatory drawing of the format conversion of the transmission message | telegram at the time of using the intermediate | middle server 20 which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the broadcast station and program information management database 22, and the member management database 23. It is a flowchart explaining the process of the BML script which moves a program with a bidirectional function. It is a flowchart explaining the processing operation (transmission message conversion relay processing) of the message conversion relay means 21. It is a flowchart explaining the processing operation (response message conversion relay processing) of the message conversion relay means. It is the example of a format of the response message used conventionally. It is explanatory drawing of the format conversion of a response message at the time of using the intermediate | middle server 20 which concerns on this invention. It is a figure explaining the message | telegram transmission in the data broadcasting interactive service at the time of using the intermediate | middle server 20 based on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital broadcasting service system 6 Relay satellite 9 Circuit switching network 20 Intermediate server 21 Message conversion relay means 22 Broadcasting station / program information management database 23 Member management database 24 Database management means 30 Television receiver 31 Television monitor 33 B-CAS card 34 Remote control 38 antenna 39 satellite antenna 100 viewer's home equipment 200 broadcast station 201 broadcast station server 300 production company

Claims (4)

In a digital broadcasting service, an intermediate server that relays a transmission message including a broadcast station identifier and a program identifier transmitted to a broadcast station server by a bidirectional function of a television receiver, and a response message from the broadcast station server for this transmission message Because
Message conversion relay means for converting the transmission message into a format that can be received by the broadcasting station server, and converting the response message into a format that can be processed by a BML script of a television receiver ;
With the broadcasting station identifier and program identifier included in the transmission message as keys, the message conversion relay means includes a broadcasting station / program information management database for extracting parameters to be set uniquely for each broadcasting station,
The message conversion relay means adds the information to be specified for each broadcasting station based on the extracted parameters to the contents of the original transmission message, and changes the message to a format that can be received by the broadcasting station server. An intermediate server characterized by relaying to a server. The broadcast station / program information management database is a response result on the broadcast station side included in a response message in which the broadcast station server responds in a format designated for each broadcast station for each broadcast station or for each broadcast station and program. The intermediate server according to claim 1, which also holds information representing a correspondence relationship for converting information representing a response information representing a response result that can be recognized by the BML script of the television receiver. 3. The intermediate server according to claim 2, wherein a transmission message transmitted from the receiver includes a management number for specifying a transmission subject, and the message conversion relay unit transmits the transmission from the receiver. There is also a member management database for extracting personal information registered for each broadcasting station from the management number or B-CAS card number uniquely set for each viewer for specifying the transmission subject included in the electronic message. An intermediate server characterized by having. The intermediate server according to claim 3,
The message conversion relay means is uniquely set for each viewer in order to specify a broadcasting station identifier and a program identifier included in a transmission message transmitted from the receiver, and a transmission subject. Parameters to be set uniquely for each broadcasting station by referring to the broadcasting station / program information management database and the member management database from the management number or B-CAS number stored in the inserted IC card and the broadcasting station The personal information registered for each broadcasting station is extracted, and the information to be specified for each broadcasting station is added to the transmission content information described in the transmission message, and the message is changed to a format that can be received by the broadcasting station server. Relay to the broadcast server,
When a response message is received from the broadcast station server, the response message of the broadcast station server is identified again by referring to the broadcast station / program information management database, and converted into a response message in a format that can be received by the BML script of the receiver. An intermediate server characterized in that it operates so as to relay.

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