JPH1023387A - Catv center device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce man-hours and costs related with the transmission of document information to a CATV subscriber. SOLUTION: A request accepting device 6 initializes an FAX transmission flag in an RAM in a device. Then, when it is registered as the result of member collation, FAX number data are captured, and a dial number indicating the presence or absence of a request for newly-released record information is captured. When a transmitting request is made, the FAX transmission flag is turned on, and member information is written in an FAX transmitting request member file in an HDD 15. Moreover, when a transmission designating time is made coincident with a present time, the newly-released record information is read from the newly-released record information file in the HDD 15, and FAX- transmitted. Afterwards, an FAX transmission end counter is made incremental.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a CATV center apparatus for transmitting a CATV broadcast.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a broadcast signal transmitted from a CATV center device and carried by a CATV line network is converted into a CATV signal.
2. Description of the Related Art There is known a CATV system in which a signal is received by a receiver connected to a network and reproduced by a television receiver.

A CATV center device for transmitting the broadcast signal includes a broadcast information storage means for storing broadcast information including video information, and a broadcast information conversion means for converting broadcast information read from the broadcast information storage means into a broadcast signal. When a broadcast request is received, a member identification number for identifying a registered member is obtained to determine the presence or absence of the registration, and if registered, the request reception unit for receiving the broadcast request corresponds to the broadcast request received by the request reception unit. Some include a broadcast control unit that instructs the broadcast information storage unit to output broadcast information.

[0004] As an example of such a CATV center device, audio information and subtitle information of karaoke are stored as a part of broadcast information, and karaoke is transmitted in response to a karaoke request transmitted over a telephone line, for example. Some broadcast audio and subtitles.

[0005] In such a CATV system,
If a CATV subscriber wants to make a karaoke request,
First, a CATV operator is requested to register as a member to enable the request. In order for a CATV subscriber to request a desired song after being registered as a member, call the request reception telephone number of the CATV broadcasting center, and a booklet (commonly known as karaoke song information and song numbers corresponding thereto) is described. Karaoke song from the songbook) and dial the song number to make the request. At that time, dialing of a member identification number is also required to confirm that the request source is a registered member.

The CATV center apparatus accepts a karaoke request if a member identification number is registered, and
When the order of transmission comes, a broadcast signal of karaoke sound and subtitles corresponding to this request is transmitted. In such a method, a song book is required for the request. The method of distributing this songbook to CATV subscribers differs depending on the CATV service provider, but usually a newly registered CATV subscriber
For subscribers, the CATV operator first mails the songbook, and then the new TV listings are included in the program guide magazine issued about once a month by the CATV station. Is generally mailed to CATV subscribers.

[0007]

However, according to the conventional method of distributing new music information, the CATV business operator must periodically mail a document containing the new music information to the CATV subscriber, and the work involved in this task is difficult. However, there is a problem that it takes time and effort. In addition, such trouble and cost problems are not limited to the distribution of new music information.

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to reduce the labor and cost involved in sending document information to CATV subscribers.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems As means for solving the above problems, a CATV center device according to claim 1 can be employed. The CATV center apparatus includes a broadcast information storage unit for storing broadcast information including video information, a broadcast information conversion unit for converting broadcast information read from the broadcast information storage unit into a broadcast signal, and a registered member for receiving a broadcast request. A member identification number for identification is obtained, the presence or absence of registration is determined, and if registered, a request receiving means for receiving the broadcast request and a broadcast information output corresponding to the broadcast request received by the request receiving means are broadcast. In a CATV center apparatus for providing a broadcast control means for instructing an information storage means and transmitting a broadcast signal to a CATV network, a telephone number storage means for storing a telephone number of a facsimile apparatus of a registered member, and facsimile transmission from the registered member Request acquisition means for acquiring a request for facsimile transmission Telephone number reading means for reading the telephone number of the facsimile apparatus of the registered member making the request from the number storage apparatus, calling means for calling the facsimile apparatus of the read telephone number, and facsimile information storage means for storing facsimile information Facsimile information reading means for reading facsimile information corresponding to the facsimile transmission request obtained by the transmission request obtaining means from the facsimile information storage means, and facsimile information read from the facsimile information storage means. Sending means for converting the communication signal into a communication signal for use and sending it to the called facsimile machine.

In this CATV center device, for example, when a call for a broadcast request is received, the request receiving means obtains a member identification number sent by a dial signal to determine the presence or absence of registration, and determines whether or not registration has been performed. For example, a broadcast request sent by a dial signal is accepted. The broadcast control unit instructs the broadcast information storage unit to read out broadcast information corresponding to the broadcast request received by the request reception unit, and reads out the broadcast information from the broadcast information storage unit. Convert to broadcast signal. This broadcast signal is transmitted to the CATV network, and the registered member can receive the broadcast signal with a receiver connected to the CATV network and reproduce the broadcast signal on the television. These functions are the same as those known in the past.

Further, a configuration unique to this CATV center device will be described by taking as an example a case where new karaoke record information is transmitted. First, the telephone number storage means stores the telephone number of the registered member's facsimile machine. It is preferable that the telephone number of the facsimile apparatus is stored as a part of the member information by linking with the member identification number, or the like. For example, the telephone number is transmitted together with the member identification number from the registered member side and temporarily stored. Such a configuration is also possible.

When the transmission request acquisition means acquires a request for facsimile transmission of new music information from a registered member (more precisely, the person who transmitted the member identification number), the telephone number reading means
The telephone number of the registered member's facsimile machine that has requested facsimile transmission is read from the number storage device. It should be noted that the confirmation of the registered member may be made by checking the member identification number in the same manner as described above.

The calling means calls the facsimile apparatus of the telephone number read by the telephone number reading means. When the facsimile information reading means reads the new music information as facsimile information corresponding to the facsimile transmission request obtained by the transmission request obtaining means from the facsimile information storage means, the sending means reads the new music information for facsimile. It is converted to a communication signal and sent to the called facsimile machine.

The new music information can be output as it is if it is stored as image data, for example, when a normal facsimile machine reads out a transmission original and temporarily stores it. Further, for example, a method of storing the data as text data, converting the data into font data, and outputting the data may be adopted.

As described above, when the registered member requests the transmission of new music information, the new music information is transmitted to the registered member's facsimile machine. Registered members can acquire new music information printed as facsimile output. Also, if information other than the new music information is stored as facsimile information, it can be similarly transmitted to the registered member's facsimile apparatus.

[0016] Therefore, apart from the communication cost for facsimile, the trouble of printing, enclosing in an envelope, mailing, and the cost of stamps are not required, and the trouble and cost involved in sending document information to CATV subscribers can be reduced. it can. Note that C
Requests to the ATV center device tend to be large, for example, in the evening, and extremely small in the middle of the night or early in the morning. If facsimile communication is performed during a time period when there are many requests, it does not necessarily hinder the reception of requests.

Therefore, a calling time input means for inputting a calling time for calling the facsimile apparatus is provided, and the calling means is configured to execute a call when the calling time is reached. If the facsimile transmission is performed during a time period in which there is almost no request, there is no possibility that the facsimile communication will hinder the reception of the request.

Further, the request for facsimile transmission is sent to the CAT
Although it is technically possible to accept the request through a V-line network, such a two-way communication system is hardly operated at present. Therefore, if the transmission request acquisition means is configured to acquire a facsimile transmission request transmitted via a telephone line, it is extremely simple. Note that a configuration in which the request receiving unit also functions as the transmission request obtaining unit is also possible.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, and the embodiments of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the CATV system 50 of the present embodiment
A CATV broadcasting center 1 as a TV center device and a receiver 9 are connected by a CATV network 11.
Further, a television 10 is connected to the receiver 9, and such a set of the receiver 9 and the television 10 is installed in, for example, a CATV subscriber (registered member) home 2. In addition,
For simplicity of explanation, only one system of the CATV network 11 and only one set of the receiver 9 and the television 10 are shown. However, in practice, the CATV network 11 has a wide variety of Also, many televisions 10 are installed.

The CATV broadcasting center 1 is mainly composed of a broadcasting control device 3 as a broadcasting control means. The broadcast control device 3 has a built-in computer including a well-known CPU, ROM, RAM, input / output circuit and the like (all not shown). A karaoke device 4 as a broadcast information storage unit is connected to the broadcast control device 3. Note that a storage device that stores data such as a movie or a drama is also connected to the broadcast control device 3. Such a storage device also corresponds to the broadcast information storage means of the present invention, but illustration and description of storage devices other than the karaoke device 4 are omitted for the sake of simplicity without losing the essence of the invention.

The karaoke apparatus 4 stores, in a karaoke data storage device (not shown), audio data for karaoke performance, character data for subtitles, moving image data for background video, and the like. The karaoke apparatus 4 reads the audio data and character data of the song specified by the broadcast control device 3 and the moving image data appropriate for the song from the karaoke data storage device, and reproduces the audio signal and character data reproduced from the audio data. It is possible to output a video signal in which a subtitle is superimposed on a background video by combining a subtitle video and a moving image reproduced from moving image data, with the audio and the subtitle synchronized.

The audio signal and the video signal from the karaoke apparatus 4 are transferred to a modulator 5 serving as broadcast information conversion means, modulated at a high frequency in the modulator 5, and transmitted to a CATV network 11 on a predetermined channel. Is done. On the subscriber side, the receiving channel of the receiver 9 is set to the channel specified by the CATV broadcasting center 1 side. Then, the high-frequency signal carried by the CATV network 11 is received and demodulated by the receiver 9, and
Output as karaoke performance (audio) and background video with subtitles.

The CATV broadcasting center 1 is provided with a device for responding to a request such as karaoke from a subscriber. That is, the request receiving device 6, the voice response device 7, the network control device (NCU) 16, the facsimile communication modem (FAX modem) 14, the hard disk device (HDD) 15, and the like.

Request receiving means, transmission request obtaining means,
The request receiving device 6 serving as a telephone number reading unit, a facsimile information reading unit, and a calling unit includes a well-known CP.
U, ROM, RAM, input / output circuit, etc. (all not shown)
Broadcast control device 3
It is possible to send and receive data between and.

Further, the request receiving device 6 has H as a telephone number storage means and a facsimile information storage means.
Data can be written to the DD 15 and data can be read from the HDD 15. The HDD 15 stores a music file, a new music information file as facsimile information, a member management DB file, a FAX transmission request member file, and the like.

The tune file includes all tunes (providable tunes) stored in the karaoke data storage device of the karaoke apparatus 4.
And a song number, a song name, a singer name and the like are linked and stored for each song. The new music information file is a list of songs (new songs) that can be newly provided by, for example, periodically updating available songs. The new song information file includes a song name, song number, singer name, and the like of each new song in a list format. It is stored as a list of image data.

As shown in FIG. 6, the member management DB file is a management file of CATV subscribers (registered members) who can make requests, and includes the number of registered members, member ID and password as member identification information, and the like. It is composed of a member name, address, telephone number, FAX number and the like. FA
The item of X number is blank for registered members who do not own the facsimile machine.

As shown in FIG. 7, the FAX transmission request member file includes the number of registered members who have requested FAX transmission of new music information, the member ID of the requested registered member, and the FAX number. It is created for each.
As shown in FIG. 1, the request receiving device 6 includes a voice response device 7 functioning as a transmission request acquiring unit in cooperation with the request receiving device 6, a facsimile modem (FAX modem) 14 as a sending unit, and a calling time input unit. The voice response device 7 and the FAX modem 14 are connected to the telephone line 12 via a network control unit (NCU) 16. A telephone at the CATV subscriber home 2, for example, a telephone with a facsimile function (telephone with a facsimile function) 8 is also connected to the telephone line 12. In the CATV subscriber home 2, the facsimile apparatus and the telephone may be independently installed.

The voice response device 7 provides voice guidance when a call from a CATV subscriber is received. The voice response device 7 is a device that prompts the user to input a member ID, a song number, a new music information transmission request, and the like by dialing. , FAX modem 14 is not different from the known one.

The NCU 16 controls the voice response device 7 or the FA
A communication selection means for selectively connecting the X modem 14 to the telephone line 12. The voice response device 7 is used when calling and receiving is performed by voice communication, and the FAX modem 1 is used when facsimile communication is performed.
Select 4. The input device 13 is provided with a keyboard and can input a designated transmission time of facsimile transmission. The designated transmission time input from here is stored in the memory of the request receiving device 6.

Next, the operation of the CATV broadcasting center 1 will be described focusing on the processing executed by the request receiving device 6. The request receiving device 6 normally repeats the request telephone monitoring process shown in FIG. 2 and the transmission time determination process shown in FIG. 4 every time there is an interrupt reset signal, for example.

As shown in FIG. 2, the request receiving device 6
In the request telephone monitoring process, first, it is determined whether a call is received (S100). If it is determined that a call is received (S100: YES), the telephone is off-hook to connect the line with the other party (step S100). (S200), a request reception process (S300) is performed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the request receiving device 6
In the request receiving process, first, the request receiving device 6 indicates whether or not to transmit the new music information by facsimile.
Initialize the FAX transmission flag in the RAM inside (S
301). Next, the voice response device 7 is instructed to make a voice response prompting dialing of the member ID assigned to the registered member (S302). When a dial signal is sent in response to this, it is acquired as a member ID (S3).
03), it is checked whether the member ID is registered in the member management DB file (S304). This check is
It is determined whether or not the same member ID obtained in 303 exists in the member management DB file, and if it exists, it is assumed that the member ID has been registered.

As a result of the member ID registration check, if it is determined that the member ID has not been registered (S305: NO), the request cannot be accepted because the member ID dialed by instructing the voice response device 7 has not been registered. Then, the request reception process is terminated, and the process returns to the request telephone monitoring process routine.

As a result of the member ID registration check, if it is determined that the member ID has been registered (S305: YES), the voice response device 7 is instructed to make a voice response prompting dialing of a karaoke song number (S307). Then, when the dial signal is sent, this is acquired as the requested music number (S308), and the music file is searched to check whether the requested music number exists (S30).
9).

As a result of the check, if it is determined that the requested music number does not exist (S309: NO),
Instruct the voice response device 7 to make a voice response indicating that the request is not accepted because the requested song number does not exist (S310). It is checked whether or not the requested song number exists (S309), and the data of the FAX number of the registered member who requested is acquired from the member management DB file (S311). If the acquired FAX number data is blank (S312: NO), the registered member does not own the facsimile machine, and thus ends the request reception processing and returns to the request telephone monitoring processing routine.

On the other hand, if the acquired fax number data is present (the registered member owns the facsimile machine) (S312: YES), the voice instructor 7 is instructed to transmit the new music information by fax. (S313), and the F of the new music information
A dial signal indicating the presence or absence of an AX transmission request is obtained (S
314). If there is a transmission request (S315:
YES), turns on the FAX transmission flag (S316),
The information of the member who has requested the FAX transmission is written in the FAX transmission request member file (S317), the request reception processing is ended, and the process returns to the request telephone monitoring processing routine.

Although the structure of the FAX transmission request file is as shown in FIG. 7, in this processing, the number of required members is incremented and rewritten, and the acquired member ID and F
The AX number is additionally written as one record. At this time, if the FAX transmission request member file does not exist, it is newly created.

As shown in FIG. 2, the request receiving device 6
When the request reception processing (S300) ends, the line with the telephone partner is released (S400), and the request telephone monitoring processing ends once. As shown by the broken line in FIG. 2, a new record information transmission process (S500) may be executed after the line is released (S400). In this embodiment, the transmission time is specified in advance. At that time, the facsimile transmission request of the new music information received up to that time is simultaneously transmitted. If this simultaneous transmission time is specified, for example, at midnight or early morning while avoiding a time zone where requests are likely to be concentrated, the telephone line 12 can be used only for accepting requests during a time period when requests are concentrated. Therefore, there is no possibility that the reception of the request will be hindered. In addition, there is a discount on telephone charges in the middle of the night, etc., which also reduces communication costs.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, processing relating to transmission of new music information will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, in the transmission time determination process, the request receiving device 6
First, it is determined whether or not the time for transmitting the new music information is specified (S600). If the time is specified (S600: YES), the specified input time is acquired (S601). Next, the current time is compared with the designated transmission time acquired in S601 (S602). If the current time matches the designated transmission time or has passed the designated transmission time (S602: YES), the new music information transmission process (S500) )
To end the transmission time determination process.

If no new music transmission time is specified (S
If the designated transmission time has not been reached (S602: NO), the transmission time determination process is also terminated. In addition, when there is no designation of a new music transmission time (S600:
NO), a configuration may be adopted in which an alarm or display for urging the user to set the designated time is displayed.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the new musical piece information transmitting process, the request receiving device 6 first initializes a FAX transmission completed counter indicating whether or not FAX transmission has been completed (S
501), and the request reception process (S3
00) From the FAX transmission request member file created in
The data of the number of members who requested X is acquired (S502).

Next, the number of FAX request members is compared with the FAX transmission completed counter (S503). If they are the same, it is determined that all FAX transmissions have been completed (S503: YES), and the FAX transmission request member file is deleted (S509). . If the number of FAX request members is not the same as the FAX transmission completed counter (S503: NO), a FAX number is obtained from the FAX transmission request member file (S504), and the FAX number is called (S505) and stored in the HDD 15. The read new music information file is read, converted into a facsimile signal by the FAX modem 14 and transmitted by FAX (S50).
6). After the transmission is completed, the line is released (S507) and the FA is released.
Increment the X transmitted counter (S50)
8).

Then, the processing of S503 to S508 is repeated until all the fax transmissions are completed (until the number of FAX request members becomes equal to the FAX transmission completed counter). As described above, the CATV broadcasting center 1 of this embodiment
In, the new music information can be transmitted by facsimile to a registered member who has requested transmission of the new music information. Therefore, printing, envelopment, mailing, and the like of new music information are not required, and the labor and cost involved in distributing new music information can be reduced. In addition, since facsimile transmission can be performed while avoiding a time period in which requests are likely to be concentrated, there is no possibility that reception of requests will be hindered. If facsimile transmission is performed at midnight or the like, telephone charges are discounted, so that further cost reduction is possible.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and it can be variously implemented without departing from the gist of the present invention. Needless to say. For example, in the embodiment, the request receiving device and the voice response device are provided separately, but the request receiving device itself may have a voice response function. A configuration in which the broadcast control device also functions as the request receiving device is also possible.

[0046]

As described above, according to claim 1,
According to the ATV center device, the troubles such as printing, enclosing in an envelope, and mailing, the cost of stamps, and the like become unnecessary, and the trouble and cost involved in sending document information to CATV subscribers can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is no possibility that the facsimile communication hinders the reception of the request. According to the configuration of the third aspect, it is not necessary to newly install a communication line, and the configuration is extremely simple.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a CATV system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a request telephone monitoring process executed by the request receiving apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a request reception process executed by the request reception device of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a transmission time determination process executed by the request receiving device of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a new musical piece information transmitting process executed by the request receiving apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a file format diagram of a member management database file in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a file format diagram of a FAX transmission request member file in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... CATV broadcasting center (CATV center apparatus) 3 ... Broadcast control apparatus (broadcast control means) 4 ... Karaoke apparatus (broadcast information storage means) 5 ... Modulator (broadcast information conversion means) ), 6 ... request receiving device (request receiving means, transmission request acquiring means, telephone number reading means, facsimile information reading means and calling means), 7 ... voice response device (request receiving means), ... Telephone with facsimile function (facsimile machine), 9: receiver, 10: television, 11: CATV network, 12: telephone line, 13: input device (call time input means) 14) Facsimile modem (transmission means), 15: Hard disk drive (telephone number storage means, facsimile information storage means), 16: Network control Location, 50 ··· CATV system.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Agency reference number FI Technical display location H04N 1/32 H04N 1/32 Z

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A broadcast information storage means for storing broadcast information including at least video information, a broadcast information conversion means for converting the broadcast information read from the broadcast information storage means into a broadcast signal, and receiving a broadcast request. In this case, a request identification unit for acquiring a member identification number for identifying a registered member is determined to determine the presence or absence of registration, and if registered, a request reception unit for receiving the broadcast request and a request corresponding to the broadcast request received by the request reception unit A broadcast control means for instructing the broadcast information storage means to output the broadcast information; and a CATV center apparatus for transmitting the broadcast signal to a CATV network, wherein a telephone number for storing a telephone number of the registered member's facsimile apparatus is provided. Number storage means, transmission for obtaining a facsimile transmission request from the registered member Request acquisition means; telephone number reading means for reading the telephone number of the registered member's facsimile apparatus that has requested the facsimile transmission from the number storage device; and calling means for calling the facsimile apparatus of the read telephone number. Facsimile information storage means for storing facsimile information; facsimile information reading means for reading the facsimile information in response to the facsimile transmission request obtained by the transmission request obtaining means from the facsimile information storage means; Transmitting means for converting the read facsimile information into a facsimile communication signal and transmitting the facsimile communication signal to the called facsimile apparatus.
V center device. 2. The CATV center device according to claim 1, further comprising: a call time input unit for inputting a call time for calling the facsimile machine, wherein the call unit executes the call when the call time comes. A CATV center device, characterized in that: 3. The CATV center apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission request acquisition unit acquires the facsimile transmission request transmitted via a telephone line.