JP4944064B2 - Notification broadcast system receiver - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a receiver for a notification broadcasting system for performing notification broadcasting.

  Notification broadcasting systems for performing various types of notification broadcasting from a center to a plurality of dwelling units are widespread. This notification broadcasting system is generally configured by connecting a center device arranged on the center side and a receiver installed in each dwelling unit via a transmission line such as CATV. Then, when performing general broadcasting such as holding local events, or disaster broadcasting in the event of a fire or earthquake, the center device transmits a notification broadcast signal via a transmission line, and the receiver receives the notification broadcast signal. Then, the announcement broadcast is output by voice through a speaker (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In this announcement broadcasting system, in consideration of the possibility that the user cannot listen to the broadcast for reasons such as absence when the announcement broadcast is performed, a recording / playback function for recording and reproducing the announcement broadcast a predetermined number of times Is provided in the receiver. In this case, when the announcement broadcast is performed, the announcement broadcast is automatically recorded by the recording / reproducing function of the receiver, and when the reproduction instruction is received by the user's operation, the recorded announcement broadcast is reproduced (for example, Patent Document 2).

  In such an announcement broadcasting system, in order to improve the convenience for the user, it is conceivable to add a function for receiving a broadcast other than the announcement broadcast, for example, a radio broadcast reception function. That is, it is conceivable that a radio broadcast transmission function is provided in the center device, and the radio broadcast multiplexed and transmitted via the transmission line is received by the receiver and broadcast in the dwelling unit. In particular, the announcement broadcast is significant in that it can receive emergency broadcasts at the time of a disaster, etc., so it is also meaningful to receive a radio broadcast that can be an important information source in the event of a disaster.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-8753 JP 2006-261958 A

  However, radio broadcasting cannot always be performed stably via the transmission line, and there is a concern about the stability of the radio reception function in the receiver, such as a lot of noise depending on the transmission situation. . In particular, since there is a risk that the transmission line is interrupted due to the occurrence of a disaster, it is preferable to have a radio reception function that does not depend only on the transmission line.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and receives radio broadcast waves from both the transmission line and the antenna, and performs radio broadcasts by appropriately switching these radio broadcast waves, so that even when a disaster occurs. It is an object of the present invention to provide a receiver for an announcement broadcasting system that can stably perform radio reception.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention according to claim 1 is directed to receiving a notification broadcast system that receives and broadcasts a notification broadcast signal transmitted from a transmission means via a CATV transmission line. A first receiving means for receiving a radio broadcast signal transmitted through the CATV transmission line , an antenna for receiving a radio broadcast signal transmitted as an airwave, and reception by the first receiving means. And a second frequency of the radio broadcast signal that is the same broadcast radio signal as the radio broadcast signal received by the first receiving means and received by the antenna. a frequency information storage means for storing in association with each other, the radio broadcast signal received by said first receiving means via the CATV transmission line, received in the first receiving means la Simultaneously receive a radio broadcast signal received by the antenna are transmitted as airwaves a radio broadcast signal of the same broadcast against Oh broadcast signals from among the radio broadcast signal received the same time, the radio wave condition select one of the radio broadcast signal of the better, and a radio broadcast control means for performing predetermined control for performing radio broadcast output by the selected radio broadcast signal, the radio broadcast control unit, the predetermined method By referring to the frequency information storage unit based on the first frequency or the second frequency specified in step 2, the second frequency corresponding to the specified first frequency or the specified second frequency A corresponding first frequency is specified .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the information associating the first frequency and the second frequency stored in the frequency information storage unit is transmitted from the transmission unit to the CATV. It is set based on the setting information transmitted through the transmission line.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, one of the radio broadcast signals having the better radio wave state among the radio broadcast signal received by the first receiving means and the radio broadcast signal received by the antenna . Since the signal is automatically selected and the radio broadcast is performed, for example, even when the level of the radio broadcast signal via the CATV transmission line is lowered due to a disaster or the like, the radio broadcast should be continued well. It is possible to improve user convenience.
Moreover, the frequency can be easily and accurately specified by referring to the frequency information storage means.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the radio broadcast signal received by the receiving means can be easily switched from the transmitting means side.

  Embodiments of a receiver of a notification broadcasting system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited by this embodiment.

(Constitution)
First, the configuration of the notification broadcasting system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a notification broadcasting system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the notification broadcasting system 1 transmits a center device 10 disposed on the center side, a receiver 20 disposed in each dwelling unit, and a signal transmitted from the center device 10 to the receiver 20. A transmission system 40 is provided. In addition, except the structure which mentions specially, the center apparatus 10, the receiver 20, and the transmission system 40 can be comprised similarly to the conventional notification broadcasting system.

(Configuration-center device 10)
Among these, the center apparatus 10 transmits an announcement broadcast signal, and corresponds to the transmission means in the claims. The center device 10 includes an operation unit 11, a display unit 12, a microphone 13, a BGM source 14, a memory 15, a date / time circuit 16, a transmission unit 17, and a control unit 18.

  The operation unit 11 is an operation unit for performing various operations on the center device 10 and includes, for example, various switches (not shown). The display unit 12 is a display unit for displaying necessary information toward the operator, and includes, for example, a monitor and a display lamp (not shown). The microphone 13 is a voice input means for inputting voice for announcement broadcasting. The BGM source 14 is sound source means that becomes a sound source of background music for announcement broadcasting. The memory 15 is a recording unit that records information necessary for various controls of the center device 10. The date / time circuit 16 is date / time means for outputting date / time information including date and time. The transmission unit 17 is a transmission unit that transmits the notification broadcast signal to the head end 41. The control unit 18 is a control unit that controls each unit of the center device 10, and includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown) and a program that is interpreted and executed on the CPU (control). The same applies to part 30).

(Configuration-Receiver 20)
Next, the receiver 20 of FIG. 1 will be described. The receiver 20 receives an announcement broadcast signal and corresponds to the receiving means in the claims. The receiver 20 includes a demodulating unit 21, an audio switching unit 22, an audio recording unit 23, a volume adjusting unit 24, an amplifier 25, a speaker 26, an operation unit 27, a display unit 28, a memory 29, a control unit 30, and an antenna 31. It is prepared for.

  The demodulating unit 21 is a first receiving unit that demodulates the notification broadcast signal transmitted from the center device 10 and the FM broadcast wave received by the antenna 31, and outputs audio information to the audio switching unit 22 and outputs control information. Output to the control unit 30. The audio switching unit 22 outputs the audio information output from the demodulation unit 21 or the audio signal output from the demodulation unit 21 to the audio recording unit 23, or the audio information output from the demodulation unit 21 or the audio recording unit 23. Is a voice switching means for outputting to the volume adjusting unit 24. The volume adjusting unit 24 adjusts the volume of the audio information output from the audio switching unit 22 and outputs it to the amplifier 25. The audio information is amplified by the amplifier 25 and then output from the speaker 26. The operation unit 27 is an operation unit for performing various operations on the receiver 20. The display unit 28 is display means for displaying required information to the user. The memory 29 is a recording unit that records information necessary for various controls of the receiver 20. The memory 29 stores a frequency table to be described later. This frequency table corresponds to the frequency information storage means in the claims. The control unit 30 is a control unit that controls each unit of the receiver 20. The control unit 30 includes a radio broadcast control unit 30a in terms of functional concept. The radio broadcast control unit 30a corresponds to the radio broadcast control means in the claims. The antenna 31 receives a radio broadcast signal transmitted as an aerial wave, and corresponds to the second receiving means in the claims.

  FIG. 2 is a front view of the receiver 20. The receiver 20 is configured such that each part of the receiver 20 except for the operation unit 27, the display unit 28, and the antenna 31 is housed in a rectangular box-shaped housing. Specifically, the operation unit 27 includes an FM broadcast selection switch 27a for selecting an FM broadcast, an announcement reproduction switch 27b for instructing reproduction of a recorded announcement broadcast, and a volume for adjusting the broadcast volume. A switch 27c is provided. Specifically, the display unit 28 includes a power indicator lamp 28a that is turned on when the power is turned on, an emergency broadcast indicator lamp 28b that is lit or blinked during emergency broadcasting, and a general broadcast indicator lamp 28c that is lit or blinked during ordinary broadcasting. The antenna 31 is disposed on the side of the housing.

  FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the frequency table stored in the memory 29. In this frequency table, the frequency of the FM broadcast signal received via the transmission line 42 and the frequency of the FM broadcast signal received via the air (FM broadcast signal received via the antenna 31) are mutually Stored in association. That is, even for the same FM broadcast transmitted by the same radio station, the broadcast frequency via the transmission line 42 and the broadcast frequency on the air are different from each other for reasons such as prevention of interference. Since there is a possibility of this, this frequency correspondence relationship is recorded in advance in the frequency table. Note that the setting and changing of the frequency table in the receiver 20 can be performed by transmitting a frequency table setting command from the center apparatus 10 to the receiver 20. That is, the control unit 18 of the center apparatus 10 includes a setting change signal transmission unit (not shown). After the operator creates a frequency table using the operation unit 11 and the display unit 12, the setting change signal transmission is performed. The unit transmits to the receiver 20 a control signal including this frequency table and a frequency table setting command for setting or changing the frequency table based on the frequency table. The receiver 20 sets or changes the frequency table based on the frequency table and the frequency table setting command included in the control signal. For this reason, the FM broadcast signal received by the receiver 20 can be easily switched from the center device 10 side.

(Configuration-transmission system 40)
Returning to FIG. 1, the transmission system 40 includes a head end 41, a transmission line 42 extending from the head end 41 to the receiver 20 of each dwelling unit, and an amplifier 43, a distribution amplifier 44, a distribution disposed in the transmission line 42. A device 46 and a protector 48 are provided. The head end 41 is an amplification transmission unit that receives a signal transmitted from the transmission unit 17 of the center device 10, level-amplifies the signal, and sends the signal to the transmission line 42. The head end 41 is provided with an FM broadcast antenna (not shown). An FM broadcast signal received by the FM broadcast antenna is transmitted to the receiver 20 of each dwelling unit via a transmission line 42. Send. The transmission line 42 is a transmission line that transmits a notification broadcast signal. For example, a CATV transmission line (coaxial cable) 42 that transmits a CATV signal is used. The amplifier 43 is an amplifying unit that amplifies a signal flowing through the transmission line 42. The distribution amplifier 44 is distribution amplification means for amplifying a signal and distributing the amplified signal to each dwelling unit. The distributor 46 is distribution means for distributing the signal amplified by the distribution amplifier 44 toward each dwelling unit. The protector 48 is provided in each dwelling unit and controls a DC component that reaches the receiver 20 on the transmission line 42.

(Processing-Notification broadcast processing)
Next, each process in the notification broadcasting system 1 configured as described above will be described. First, transmission processing in the center device 10 will be described. The operator on the center side inputs arbitrary audio information using the microphone 13 and the BGM source 14 of the center apparatus 10 in FIG. At this time, the operator uses the operation unit 11 to specify whether the notification broadcast is a general broadcast or an emergency broadcast, and when the broadcast is a general broadcast, inputs the scheduled broadcast date and time. General broadcast is a method that does not require urgency, for example, local event information or regular broadcast, and emergency broadcast is a broadcast that requires urgency, for example, disaster information. Further, the operator uses the operation unit 11 to specify the receiver 20 that is the reception destination.

  Upon receiving these various inputs, the control unit 18 of the center apparatus 10 determines whether the notification broadcast is a general broadcast or an emergency broadcast based on the content specified by the operator, and determines that the broadcast is an emergency broadcast. Obtains the unique address of the receiver 20 designated by the operator from the memory, and generates a broadcast command including the unique address and information for identifying the emergency broadcast. The broadcast command and the audio information input by the operator are modulated on a carrier having a predetermined frequency to generate a notification broadcast signal. The notification broadcast signal is transmitted to the head end 41 via the transmission unit 17. Send.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the broadcast is a general broadcast, the control unit 18 acquires the unique address of the receiver 20 designated by the operator from the memory, and includes the unique address and information for specifying the broadcast. Generate broadcast commands. Then, the broadcast command and the audio information input by the operator are recorded in the memory 15. Thereafter, the control unit 18 monitors whether or not the scheduled broadcast date and time designated by the operator has arrived based on the date and time information from the date and time circuit 16, and when the scheduled broadcast date and time has arrived, broadcasts from the memory 15. Get command and audio information. Then, the control unit 18 generates a notification broadcast signal by modulating the broadcast command and the audio information on a carrier having a predetermined frequency, and transmits the notification broadcast signal to the head end 41 via the transmission unit 17. To do. This completes the transmission process in the center apparatus 10.

  Next, the reception process in the receiver 20 will be described. The head end 41 that has received the notification broadcast signal transmitted by the transmission process described above transmits the notification broadcast signal via the transmission line 42. The notification broadcast signal transmitted in this way is amplified or distributed by the amplifier 43, the distribution amplifier 44, or the distributor 46, and then arrives at the protector 48 of each dwelling unit and passes through the protector 48. A signal is input to the receiver 20.

  In the receiver 20, the input notification broadcast signal is demodulated by the demodulator 21, the broadcast command is input to the controller 30, and the audio information is sent to the volume controller 24 and the audio recorder via the audio switcher 22. 23. The control unit 30 determines whether or not the address included in the broadcast command matches its own address recorded in the memory 29 in advance. The control signal is output to the voice switching unit 22 so that the voice information is output. The voice switching unit 22 that has received this control signal outputs the demodulated voice information to the volume adjusting unit 24. The audio information is output from the speaker 26 after volume adjustment by the volume adjustment unit 24 and amplification by the amplifier 25.

  At this time, the control unit 30 determines whether or not the broadcast notification indicates that the notification broadcast is an emergency notification broadcast. If the broadcast command is the emergency notification broadcast, the emergency broadcast indicator lamp 28b is turned on or blinked. At the same time, by controlling the volume adjustment unit 24, the audio information is output at a predetermined high volume for emergency notification broadcasting. On the other hand, when the broadcast command indicates that the notification broadcast is a general notification broadcast, the control unit 30 lights or blinks the general broadcast indicator lamp 28c and controls the volume adjustment unit 24. The audio information is output at the volume set by the volume switch 27c. The audio information subjected to the output control as described above is recorded by the audio recording unit 23, and when the user gives a reproduction instruction via the notification reproduction switch 27b, the audio information is supplied to the volume adjustment unit 24 via the audio switching unit 22. Is output from the speaker 26. This completes the reception process in the receiver.

(Processing-Radio broadcasting processing)
Next, radio broadcast processing for performing radio broadcast will be described. First, radio broadcast processing on the center side will be described. The head end 41 generates an FM broadcast signal by modulating the FM broadcast signal received by the FM broadcast antenna on a carrier having a predetermined frequency, and the FM broadcast signal is transmitted to each dwelling unit via the transmission line 42. Transmit to the receiver 20. As a carrier at the time of transmission, it is preferable to use a carrier that is not used in the announcement broadcast. For example, an RF carrier that is not used in the announcement broadcast among a plurality of broadcast RF carriers is used, or an FM broadcast is used. A carrier dedicated to signal transmission may be set. As described above, the transmission frequency at the time of transmission of the FM broadcast signal from the center side is arbitrarily set by the CATV company, and may be intentionally different from the frequency of the general FM broadcast in order to prevent interference. is there. This completes the radio broadcast processing on the center side.

  Next, radio broadcast processing in the receiver 20 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of radio broadcast processing in the receiver 20. The FM broadcast signal transmitted from the center apparatus 10 (corresponding to the radio broadcast signal in the claims) is transmitted via the transmission line 42 and amplified or distributed by the amplifier 43, the distribution amplifier 44, or the distributor 46. After that, the FM broadcast signal that reaches the protector 48 of each dwelling unit and passes through the protector 48 is input to the receiver 20. The input FM broadcast signal is demodulated by the demodulator 21. Here, the radio broadcast control unit 30a of the receiver 20 monitors ON / OFF of the FM broadcast selection switch 27a (step SA-1), and when the FM broadcast selection switch 27a is turned on by the user (step SA). −1, Yes), the FM broadcast signal demodulated by the demodulating unit 21 is output to the volume adjusting unit 24 via the audio switching unit 22, and the volume adjustment by the volume adjusting unit 24 and the amplification by the amplifier 25 are performed. FM broadcast is output from the speaker 26.

  At the time of the radio broadcast performed in this way, the radio broadcast control unit 30a is an FM broadcast signal having a frequency different from that of the FM broadcast signal in the same broadcast with respect to the signal level of the FM broadcast signal input from the demodulation unit 21. The levels of the FM broadcast signals received via the antenna 31 are compared with each other. That is, the radio broadcast control unit 30a refers to the frequency table of the memory 29 based on the frequency of the FM broadcast signal input from the demodulation unit 21, so that the FM broadcast signal having the same content as the FM broadcast signal is transmitted through the on-air. A frequency is acquired (step SA-2). Then, the radio broadcast control unit 30a acquires the FM broadcast signal having the frequency of the acquired FM broadcast signal via the air via the antenna 31, and the level of the acquired FM broadcast signal is input to the receiver 20. It compares with the signal level of FM broadcast signal (step SA-3). Then, the radio broadcast control unit 30a selects an FM broadcast signal having a higher signal level, outputs the selected FM broadcast signal to the volume adjustment unit 24 via the audio switching unit 22, and performs FM broadcast. That is, when the signal level of the FM broadcast signal input from the demodulator 21 is high (step SA-3, Yes), FM broadcast is performed using the FM broadcast signal (step SA-4), and the signal is transmitted via on-air. When the signal level of the FM broadcast signal is high (No at Step SA-3), FM broadcast is performed using the FM broadcast signal (Step SA-5). Thereafter, similarly, the FM broadcast signal level is compared and switched until the FM broadcast selection switch 27a is turned off, and the FM broadcast is always performed using the FM broadcast signal in the better state. This completes the radio broadcast processing in the receiver 20.

(Effect of embodiment)
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the FM broadcast signal having the higher signal level is automatically selected from the FM broadcast signal via the transmission line 42 and the FM broadcast signal via the on-air, and FM broadcast is performed. Therefore, even if the FM broadcast signal via the transmission line 42 is lowered in level due to a disaster or the like, the FM broadcast can be continued well and the convenience for the user can be improved.

  In particular, since the frequency can be specified with reference to the frequency table, the frequency can be specified easily and accurately.

[Modifications to Embodiment]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the specific configuration and means of the present invention can be arbitrarily modified and improved within the scope of the technical idea of each invention described in the claims. it can. Hereinafter, such a modification will be described.

(About problems to be solved and effects of the invention)
First, the problems to be solved by the invention and the effects of the invention are not limited to the above-described contents, and the present invention solves the problems not described above or has the effects not described above. There are also cases where only some of the described problems are solved or only some of the described effects are achieved.

(About radio broadcast signal selection)
In the above-described embodiment, the one with the higher signal level of the FM broadcast signal is selected, but it is also possible to select one of the FM broadcast signals with the better radio wave condition using any other standard. it can. As one of such criteria, for example, the higher S / N ratio may be selected. Also, instead of constantly comparing the signal level of the FM broadcast signal, the signal level or S / N ratio of the FM broadcast signal used for the current output is compared with a predetermined threshold value, and only when it is below the predetermined threshold value. It may be compared with the signal level or S / N ratio of the FM broadcast signal from another route. As a matter of course, the present invention can be applied to AM broadcasting and shortwave broadcasting as well as FM broadcasting.

  In addition to frequency selection using a frequency table, frequency selection can be performed by an arbitrary method. For example, when comparing signal levels, FM broadcast that causes a level change that is the same as or similar to the FM broadcast signal being used, in the vicinity of the frequency of the FM broadcast signal being used for the current output. The signal may be searched, and the FM broadcast signal searched in this way may be an FM broadcast signal having the same content as the FM broadcast signal used for the current output. In this case, the frequency table can be omitted, and it is possible to cope with a case where a new FM broadcast is established or a frequency change in an existing FM broadcast signal.

  Further, not limited to the above-described embodiment, the antenna of the receiver 20 is basically used when the FM broadcast transmitted from the head end 41 side is wired and the level of the FM broadcast signal from the head end 41 is lowered to a predetermined level. The reception level of the same FM broadcast that can be received from the receiver 31 (including the case of FM broadcast of the same frequency) is monitored, and if the level is a predetermined level or higher, the reception may be switched from the antenna 31 of the receiver 20. .

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the notification broadcasting system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a front view of a receiver. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a frequency table. It is a flowchart of the radio broadcast process in a receiver.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Notification broadcasting system 10 Center apparatus 11, 27 Operation part 12, 28 Display part 13 Microphone 14 BGM source 15, 29 Memory 16 Date-time circuit 17 Transmission part 18, 30 Control part 20 Receiver 21 Demodulation part 22 Voice switching part 23 Voice recording Unit 24 volume control unit 25, 43 amplifier 26 speaker 27a FM broadcast selection switch 27b notification playback switch 27c volume switch 28a power indicator 28b emergency broadcast indicator 28c general broadcast indicator 30a radio broadcast controller 31 antenna 40 transmission system 41 head end 42 transmission line 44 distribution amplifier 46 distributor 48 protector

Claims (2)

A notification broadcast system receiver for receiving and broadcasting a notification broadcast signal transmitted from a transmission means via a CATV transmission line ,
First receiving means for receiving a radio broadcast signal transmitted via the CATV transmission line ;
An antenna for receiving radio broadcast signals transmitted as airwaves ;
The first frequency of the radio broadcast signal received by the first receiving means and the radio broadcast signal of the same broadcast as the radio broadcast signal received by the first receiving means and received by the antenna Frequency information storage means for storing the second frequency of the broadcast signal in association with each other;
The radio broadcast signal received by the first receiving means via the CATV transmission line and the radio broadcast signal received by the first receiving means are the same broadcast radio broadcast signals as airwaves. The radio broadcast signal transmitted and received by the antenna is simultaneously received, and the radio broadcast signal having the better radio wave condition is selected from the simultaneously received radio broadcast signals, and the selected radio is selected. and a radio broadcast control means for performing predetermined control for performing radio broadcast output by the broadcast signal,
The radio broadcast control means refers to the frequency information storage means based on the first frequency or the second frequency specified by a predetermined method, so that the second frequency corresponding to the specified first frequency, or Identifying a first frequency corresponding to the identified second frequency;
The receiver of the announcement broadcasting system according to claim. Information associating the first frequency and the second frequency stored in the frequency information storage means is:
Setting based on setting information transmitted from the transmission means via the CATV transmission line;
The receiver of the notification broadcasting system according to claim 1.

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