WO2013128875A1

WO2013128875A1 - Wireless communication device, information setting device, information setting method, and information setting program storage medium

Info

Publication number: WO2013128875A1
Application number: PCT/JP2013/001066
Authority: WO
Inventors: 尚司谷内田
Original assignee: 日本電気株式会社
Priority date: 2012-03-02
Filing date: 2013-02-25
Publication date: 2013-09-06

Abstract

Provided is a wireless communication device wherein it is possible to reliably set information without being provided with an information display means. The wireless communication device is provided with: a setting commencement signal input unit which inputs a setting commencement signal instructing to begin acquiring a predetermined set of setting information; an information signal output unit which determines whether a wiring is connected when the setting commencement signal is inputted, and which outputs the information signal to an external information input/output device via the wiring; a radio field intensity measurement unit which measures the intensity of a wireless signal transmitted by means of an external information setting device; a wireless signal transmission/reception unit which transmits and receives the wireless signal to and from the information setting device transmitting a wireless signal having the strongest intensity, and which acquires the setting information from the information setting device when the wiring is not connected to the information signal output unit; a control unit which carries out a predetermined process on the information inputted from the wireless signal transmission/reception unit, and which outputs the information to the information signal output unit; and a state display unit which displays the setting state or the operation state.

Description

Wireless communication apparatus, information setting apparatus, information setting method, and information setting program storage medium

The present invention relates to a wireless communication device, an information setting device, an information setting method, and an information setting program storage medium that can easily set desired information, and in particular, information can be easily provided without a display unit for displaying information. The present invention relates to a wireless communication device, an information setting device, an information setting method, and an information setting program storage medium capable of easily setting settable information.

In recent years, with the progress of wireless communication technology and deregulation, home networks are often built using a wireless local area network (LAN) system. When a wireless LAN device is introduced, initial network settings are essential. However, it is difficult to determine at a glance whether or not the wireless LAN devices are normally connected. For this reason, there are cases in which general users have to give up the introduction of wireless LAN devices or rely on the initial setting service provided by a vendor due to the complexity of the initial setting. In addition, when connecting a small video receiving terminal to other wireless LAN devices by wireless LAN, it is easy to set contract information for ensuring security and information such as encryption keys for protecting contents. It is difficult for the user.
A set top box (STB (Set Top Box)) with a wireless transmission / reception function without screen display has no means for confirming various information set when a network environment is constructed, that is, no information display means. For this reason, setting information is more difficult. Therefore, when information is set in an STB with a wireless transmission / reception function without screen display, the STB is connected to a personal computer (PC (Personal Computer)) or a television (TV (Television)). The network address, encryption method, contract information, and the like are set from a remote control key or a keyboard. Even at this time, in order to set information reliably, a high level of knowledge is required, and thus the user gave up the wireless connection.

Patent Document 1 discloses a method for easily exchanging encryption keys used in a wireless network between an access point and a terminal.

Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for reducing the burden of initial costs for connecting a device to a network and performing remote communication.

Patent Document 3 discloses an information communication system capable of associating a plurality of operation terminals with an information processing apparatus.

Patent Document 4 discloses a video / audio device having a LAN communication function.

JP 2005-303449 A (page 8-12, FIG. 3) JP 2006-54834 A (page 6-7, FIG. 1) JP 2012-5879 (page 16, FIG. 8) JP 2009-177348 A (page 7-8, FIG. 1)

Patent Document 1 discloses a method for setting an encryption key between a wireless LAN device and an access point that is a relay for wireless LAN. However, there is no mention of various information settings for a wireless LAN device that does not include information display means for displaying information to be set. Therefore, when setting information to a wireless LAN device that does not include an information display unit, there is a problem that there is no guarantee that necessary information is set reliably.

The techniques of Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3 are also the same, and there is a problem that there is no guarantee that necessary information is reliably set when setting information to a wireless LAN device that does not include information display means.

Patent Document 4 does not particularly refer to information setting. Therefore, the technique of Patent Document 4 cannot be applied for reliable information exchange.
(Object of invention)
The present invention has been made in view of the technical problems as described above. A wireless communication apparatus capable of reliably setting information without an information display means, and information on such a wireless communication apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information setting device, an information setting method, and an information setting program storage medium.

The wireless communication device of the present invention determines a setting start signal input unit that inputs a setting start signal that instructs to start acquisition of predetermined setting information, and whether or not wiring is connected when the setting start signal is input An information signal output unit that outputs an information signal to an external information input / output device via a wiring, a radio wave intensity measurement unit that measures the strength of a radio signal transmitted by the external information setting device, and a wireless that has the strongest strength A radio signal is transmitted / received to / from an information setting device that transmits a signal, and when a wiring is not connected to the information signal output unit, a radio signal transmission / reception unit that acquires setting information from the information setting device, and a radio signal transmission / reception unit A control unit that performs predetermined processing on the input information and outputs information to the information signal output unit, and a state display unit that displays a setting state or an operation state are provided.

The information setting device according to the present invention determines whether or not a wiring for outputting an information signal to an external information input / output device is connected when a setting start signal instructing start of acquisition of predetermined setting information is input. When receiving a request signal for requesting transmission of setting information transmitted when the wiring is not connected to the information signal output unit by the wireless communication device to be determined, the setting location information is transmitted to the wireless communication device. Features.

The information setting method of the present invention inputs a setting start signal instructing start of acquisition of predetermined setting information, and determines whether or not the wiring is connected to the information signal output unit when the setting start signal is input. The information signal is output to the external information input / output device via the wiring, the strength of the wireless signal transmitted by the external information transmitting device is measured, and the information transmitting device that transmits the wireless signal having the strongest strength When the wireless signal is transmitted and received and the wiring is not connected to the information signal output unit, the setting information is acquired from the information transmitting device, the information input from the wireless signal transmitting and receiving unit is subjected to predetermined processing, and the information signal Information is output to an output unit, and a setting state or an operation state is displayed.

The information setting program storage medium of the present invention includes a setting start signal input means for inputting a setting start signal for instructing start of acquisition of predetermined setting information to a computer included in the wireless communication device, and when the setting start signal is input. A radio wave that determines whether or not a wiring is connected and outputs an information signal to an external information input / output device via the wiring, and a radio signal that measures the intensity of a radio signal transmitted by the external information transmitting device Wireless that transmits and receives wireless signals between the strength measuring means and the information transmitting device that transmits the wireless signal having the strongest strength, and obtains setting information from the information transmitting device when the wiring is not connected to the information signal output unit Control means for performing predetermined processing on information input from the signal transmission / reception means and the information received from the wireless signal transmission / reception section, and outputting information to the information signal output section; Storing a program to function as a Shimesuru display means.

According to the present invention, information can be easily set in a wireless communication apparatus that does not include an information display means.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the portable STB of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the flowchart which shows operation | movement of the portable STB of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. An example of the operation | movement flow of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of the 1st Embodiment of this invention is shown. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the information setting system of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence chart which shows operation | movement of the information setting system of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the information setting system of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence chart which shows operation | movement of the information setting system of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

(First embodiment)
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a video receiver 1 with a small wireless function (hereinafter referred to as “portable STB”) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The portable STB 1 includes a video / audio extension unit 101, a video / audio signal output unit 102, a setting start signal input unit 103, a status display unit 104, a setting information storage unit 105, a radio signal transmission / reception unit 106, and a radio wave intensity measurement unit 107.

The video / audio decompression unit 101 decompresses the compressed video / audio signal. The video / audio extension unit 101 has an extension processing performance equivalent to a function of a general STB.

The video / audio signal output unit 102 is a connection unit for outputting an analog or digital video signal or audio signal to an external playback device, and includes a predetermined connector. For example, when outputting an analog signal, the video / audio signal output unit 102 may be an RCA (registered trademark) pin connection terminal that outputs a composite video signal and an audio signal. Alternatively, when outputting a digital signal, the video / audio signal output unit 102 may be a connection terminal for HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface (registered trademark)).

Furthermore, the audio video signal output unit 102 has a function of determining that a playback device such as a TV is connected to the connector. Whether the playback device is connected to the connector can be determined, for example, by providing the video / audio signal output unit 102 with a predetermined switch. The switch becomes conductive when a cable for connecting the portable STB 1 and an external playback device is connected to the connector of the video / audio signal output unit 102. When the switch is in the conductive state, the video / audio signal output unit 102 determines that the playback device is connected to the connector. When it is determined that a cable is connected to the connector, it is assumed that the playback device is also connected to the end of the cable.

The setting start signal input unit 103 inputs a setting start signal notifying the start of an operation for initial setting from the outside. For example, a tact switch is used for the setting start signal input unit 103, and it may be determined that a design start signal has been input when the tact switch is pressed.

The status display unit 104 displays the setting status. For the status display unit 104, for example, an LED (Light-Emitting-Diode) can be used. Although the status display unit 104 can display the setting status, it is not necessary to display the set information itself.

The setting information storage unit 105 stores the set information. For the setting information storage unit 105, for example, a nonvolatile memory such as a FLASH memory can be used.

The wireless signal transmission / reception unit 106 connects to an external communication device via a wireless LAN. The radio wave intensity measuring unit 107 measures the radio wave intensity of the wireless LAN signal received by the radio signal transmitting / receiving unit 106.

The operation of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of this embodiment.

Since the portable STB 1 is small and lightweight, the initial setting is performed not near the place where the portable STB 1 is initially set, but near the stationary STB to be connected. Hereinafter, the stationary STB is referred to as “master unit”. Therefore, the portable STB 1 is a “slave device”.

The setting start signal input unit 103 detects whether a setting start signal is input (step S101). Specifically, the setting start signal input unit 103 determines that the setting start signal has been input when detecting the pressing of the tact switch or the like included in the setting start signal input unit 103 (step S101: Yes). In this case, the video / audio signal output unit 102 confirms whether a cable is connected to the outside (step S102).

If no cable is connected to the outside (step S102: No), the status display unit 104 displays that the portable STB 1 is being initialized (step S103). The indication that initialization is in progress is performed by, for example, blinking an LED.

The radio wave intensity measuring unit 107 measures the intensity of the radio signal input from the antenna via the radio signal transmitting / receiving unit 106. The wireless signal transmitting / receiving unit 106 determines the wireless signal having the highest strength, and exchanges a connection authentication key with a device that transmits the wireless signal (step S104).

When the exchange of the connection authentication key is completed, the wireless signal transmission / reception unit 106 acquires setting information set in the parent device (step S105). The setting information includes pay broadcasting and contracted content information. The setting information is stored in the setting information storage unit 105 (step S106). When the setting information is stored in the setting information storage unit 105, the status display unit 104 displays that the initial setting is completed (step S107), and the initial setting is completed. The indication that the initial setting is completed is performed, for example, by turning on the LED that was blinking during the initial setting.

On the other hand, when the video / audio signal output unit 102 of the portable STB 1 detects that the cable is connected to the outside (step S102: Yes), the radio wave intensity measuring unit 107 measures the radio wave intensity, and from the measured radio wave intensity, It is confirmed that a wireless LAN signal is transmitted from another wireless LAN device. Then, the wireless signal transmission / reception unit 106 investigates whether or not the setting information in the received wireless LAN signal includes information on the wireless LAN device as the connection destination (step S108).

If the connection destination information is found (step S108: Yes), the setting mode is terminated because the input of the setting start signal is due to an erroneous operation.

When the wireless LAN connection destination information is not found (step S108: No), the status display unit 104 displays that the portable STB 1 is checking the radio wave status (step S109). This display may be the same display as that during the initial setting. Alternatively, the display during the initial setting may be a display in which the blinking interval of the lamp is changed, or may be a completely different display from the display.

Then, the status display unit 104 displays all wireless LAN devices as connection destinations found in the vicinity on the screen of the playback device connected to the video / audio signal output unit 102 (step S110).

The wireless signal transmitting / receiving unit 106 exchanges connection authentication keys with the connection destinations of the peripheral wireless LAN devices selected by the user operating the portable STB 1 from all the displayed connection destinations (step S111). ). In this state, only the setting information of the wireless LAN connection is changed, and the setting information such as pay broadcast and contracted content information is not changed.

Finally, the status display unit 104 displays that the setting of the wireless environment has been completed (step S112), and the initial setting of the portable STB 1 ends.

As can be understood from the description of the first embodiment, the processing content of the video / audio extension unit 101 and the content of the signal output by the video / audio signal output unit 102 are not particularly limited in the present embodiment. Therefore, the portable STB 1 may include a control unit 108 that performs predetermined processing instead of the video / audio extension unit 101, and an information signal output unit 109 instead of the video / audio signal output unit 102. Therefore, the portable STB 1 of this embodiment can be generalized to the wireless communication device 10 shown in FIG.

The wireless communication device 10 may not have a function of storing the set information inside, but may output and store the information in an external storage device. Accordingly, the wireless communication device 10 may not include the setting information storage unit 105.

Note that the status display unit 104 may only output information for display. That is, an element such as an LED for actually indicating the state of the wireless communication device 10 to the user may be provided outside.

The control unit 108 performs predetermined processing on the information input from the wireless signal transmission / reception unit 106 and the like, and outputs the information to the information signal output unit 109. The control unit 108 also controls each block included in the wireless communication device 10. The information signal output unit 109 is connected to an external information input device with a cable, and outputs an information signal to the information input device. Furthermore, the signal output unit 109 determines that a cable for connecting the information input device is connected.

Since the functions of the blocks other than the information processing unit 108 and the signal output unit 109 of the wireless communication device 10 are the same as the blocks provided in the portable STB 1, description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4, when it is determined in step S102 that the cable is connected to the outside, the wireless communication device 10 may end the setting mode because the setting start signal is input due to an erroneous operation. Good.

As described above, the operation required for the user in the series of operations for the initial setting of the portable STB 1 is only to press the setting button of the portable STB near the parent device. Further, the investigation required for the user for setting the wireless environment of the portable STB 1 is only to select the connection destination of the peripheral wireless LAN device. As described above, the portable STB 1 can complete the information setting only by a simple operation by the user. After the initial setting is completed, the user moves the portable STB 1 to a place where the playback device is located and connects the playback device to the playback device with a cable. At this time, since the initial setting for connecting the portable STB 1 to the wireless network has already been completed, the user can view desired content.

As described above, even if the portable STB 1 does not have a function of displaying various types of information referred to at the time of initial setting, information can be set using the display function of the connection destination device.
(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the information setting system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The information setting system of the present embodiment includes a portable STB 1, a stationary STB (parent device) 2, and a video display device (TV monitor) 3 connected to the parent device 2.

The portable STB 1 has the same configuration as the portable STB 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. A detailed description of the portable STB 1 is omitted.

The portable STB 1 of this embodiment is connected to the parent device 2 by a wireless LAN signal S2. The base unit 2 outputs a video / audio signal S3 to the video display unit 3.

Base unit 2 is connected to an external Internet, and has an input / output terminal that transmits and receives Internet connection signal S1, and a router function that enables connection to the Internet using a LAN. The base unit 2 is connected to a video display unit 3 that receives the video signal S3 from the base unit 2 and displays a video.

One mode of operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a sequence chart showing an operation flow of the second embodiment of the present invention.

The portable STB 1 and the base unit 2 are connected by a wireless LAN using a wireless network signal S2. The base unit 2 performs an operation according to the initialization flow shown in FIG. 6 so that the system is easily initialized. Since the portable STB 1 is small and lightweight, the above initial setting can be performed near the base unit 2 and the video display unit 3 connected to the base unit 2.

First, when the setting start signal input unit 103 of the portable STB 1 detects the input of the setting start signal (step S101: Yes), the video / audio signal output unit 102 checks whether a cable is connected to the outside (step S102). ). When the input of the setting start signal is not detected (step S101: No), the process of step S101 is repeated.

When the video / audio signal output unit 102 does not have an external cable connected (step S102: No), the status display unit 104 displays that the initial setting is being performed (step S103). “Initial setting mode”.

At this time, the radio wave intensity measuring unit 107 measures the radio wave intensity of the radio signal input via the radio signal transmitting / receiving unit 106. The wireless signal transmitting / receiving unit 106 determines the wireless signal having the highest strength, and performs key exchange for wireless connection with a device that transmits the wireless signal (step S104). At this time, since the nearest device that is connected to the portable STB 1 by wireless LAN is the parent device 2, the portable STB 1 securely exchanges keys with the parent device 2. And portable STB1 acquires an IP address from the main | base station 2 by DHCP (Dynamic | Host | Configuration | Protocol | protocol).

When the key exchange is completed, the portable STB 1 transmits setting information to the base unit 2. The base unit 2 outputs the received setting information to the video display unit 3 by the video / audio signal S3 and displays it on the video display unit 3 (step S201). The setting information is displayed on the video display 3 together with an initial setting screen indicating that the initial setting has been started. As described above, even when the playback device is not connected to the video / audio signal output unit 102 of the portable STB 1, the setting content of the portable STB 1 is displayed on the video display device 3. Can be confirmed.

When the video display device 3 initial setting screen is displayed, when the user presses a predetermined setting permission switch of the parent device 2 (step S202: Yes), the parent device 2 makes a desired setting to the portable STB1. Distribute information. At this time, for example, contract information such as viewing of paid content or viewing of a paid channel can be distributed from the parent device 2 to the portable STB 1. Then, when the information is distributed to the portable STB 1 and stored in the setting information storage unit 105 (steps S105 and S106), the initial setting is completed (step S107).

The key information may be sent from the parent device 2 to the portable STB 1 only when the initial setting start switch of the portable STB 1 and the setting permission switch of the parent device 2 are pressed simultaneously. In this case, it is possible to prevent key information from being erroneously sent from the parent device 2 to another device other than the portable STB 1.

The base unit 2 can identify the portable STB 1 even when a plurality of portable STBs 1 are connected by receiving the MAC address or serial number of the portable STB 1 from the portable STB 1. Therefore, the initial setting of a plurality of portable STBs 1 is possible. Therefore, for example, a parental code can be introduced into the first portable STB 1 and content can be viewed on the second portable STB 1 away from the parent device 2 even in an external network environment. In this way, each of the plurality of portable STBs 1 can be initialized.

As described above, in the information setting system according to the present embodiment, even if the portable STB does not have a display screen, information can be set in the portable STB while checking the initial setting screen with the video display 3. . Therefore, it is very easy for the user who performs the initial setting to select and operate information, and it is possible to prevent erroneous operation.
(Third embodiment)
FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the information setting system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The information setting system of the present embodiment includes a portable STB 1, a stationary STB (parent device) 2, a video display device (TV monitor) 3 connected to the parent device 2, and a wireless LAN router 4.

Further, the portable STB 1 of this embodiment is connected to the wireless LAN router 4 by the wireless LAN signal S2. The wireless LAN router 4 is connected to an external Internet, and has an input / output terminal that transmits and receives an Internet connection signal S1, and a router function that enables connection between the Internet and a home LAN using a LAN. The wireless LAN router 4 is connected to the parent device 2 by a wireless LAN connection signal S5 or a wired LAN connection signal S4.

In addition, the main | base station 2 of this embodiment is connected with the video display 3 by the video / audio signal S3 similarly to 2nd Embodiment.

One mode of operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8 is a sequence chart showing an operation flow of the third embodiment of the present invention.

Between the wireless LAN router 4 and the parent device 2, the wireless LAN connection signal S5 or the wired LAN connection signal S4 is connected in advance by a predetermined setting procedure in the parent device 2.

The initial setting procedure for connecting the portable STB 1 to the wireless LAN router 4 and the parent device 2 follows the operation flow shown in FIG. The initial setting can be easily completed by setting according to this operation flow.

The operation of this embodiment will be described according to the operation flow of FIG. A setting start signal is input to the portable STB 1 near the parent device 2 and the video display device 3 connected thereto. When the setting start signal input unit 103 detects a setting start signal (step S101: Yes), the video / audio signal output unit 102 confirms whether a cable is connected to the outside (step S102). When the input of the setting start signal is not detected (step S101: No), the process of step S101 is repeated.

At this time, if the video / audio signal output unit 102 does not detect that a cable is connected to the outside (step S102: No), the status display unit 104 displays that initialization is in progress (step S103). ), The portable STB 1 enters the “initial setting mode”.

At this time, the radio wave intensity measuring unit 107 measures the radio wave intensity of the radio signal input via the radio signal transmitting / receiving unit 106. The wireless signal transmitting / receiving unit 106 determines the wireless signal having the highest strength, and performs key exchange for wireless connection with a device that transmits the wireless signal (step S104). At this time, since the nearest device that is connected to the portable STB 1 by wireless LAN is the wireless LAN router 4, the portable STB 1 securely exchanges keys with the wireless LAN router 4. Then, the portable STB 1 acquires an IP address from the wireless LAN router 4 by DHCP.

When the wireless LAN router 4 and the portable STB 1 are wirelessly connected, the portable STB 1 is then registered with UPnP (Universal Plug and Play: Registration shown in guidelines defined by, for example, Digital Living Network Alliance (registered trademark). A server such as DMS (DLNA Digital Media Server (registered trademark)) is searched using a protocol such as trademark.

If the discovered DMS device code is a device code set in the parent device 2 in advance, the portable STB 1 issues an initial setting request to the parent device 2. The initial setting request at this time includes information such as a serial number or a MAC address of the portable STB 1.

When the base unit 2 receives the initial setting request, the base unit 2 outputs to the video display unit 3 by the video / audio signal S3 that the initial setting has started with the portable STB 1. The video display device 3 displays an initial setting screen indicating that the initial setting has been started (step S201).

Thus, even when the playback device is not connected to the portable STB 1, information output from the parent device 2 connected to the portable STB 1 via the LAN is displayed on the video display device 3. Therefore, the contents of various types of information related to information setting on the portable STB 1 can be easily confirmed by the user.

Then, when the user presses a setting permission switch for information setting provided in the base unit 2, information setting for the portable STB 1 is permitted.

When the information setting is permitted (step S202: Yes), the base unit 2 transmits the setting information set in the base unit 2 to the portable STB 1. The portable STB 1 receives the setting information, and the setting information storage unit 105 stores the received setting information (steps S105 and S106). Then, it is displayed that the initial setting has been completed (step S107).

The key information may be sent from the parent device to the portable STB 1 only when the initial setting start switch of the portable STB 1 and the setting permission switch of the parent device 2 are pressed simultaneously. In this case, it is possible to prevent key information from being erroneously sent from the parent device 2 to another device other than the portable STB 1.

The information set here includes information such as program contract information and parental control signals. Therefore, after the information is set, even when the portable STB 1 is operated at a location different from the base unit 2, the user of the portable STB 1 can determine the content information that can be viewed.

Further, by transmitting an individual identification number such as a MAC address or a serial number of the portable STB 1 to the parent device 2, even when a plurality of portable STBs 1 are connected to the parent device 2, each portable STB 1 is identified. I can do it. Therefore, for example, a parental code is introduced to the first portable STB, or content can be viewed on the second portable STB even in an external network environment away from the base unit 2. be able to. Thus, each setting is possible with respect to several portable STB1.

The case where the present embodiment is applied to an actual service will be specifically described as an example.

The video distribution service is a cable TV service (CATV (Cable Television)). When a user subscribes to CATV, a stationary STB for CATV is usually installed near the TV monitor in the room where the user is home. At this time, when there are two or more TV monitors in the user's home, the user may desire to watch the CATV broadcast channel outside the room where the stationary STB is installed.

However, in order to install a plurality of STBs in order to view a CATV broadcast channel on two or more TV monitors, it is necessary to make a plurality of contracts with CATV. Multiple contracts are economically burdensome.

Therefore, when viewing on a plurality of TV monitors, a service that enables viewing of a free channel with a separately distributed portable STB only if the paid channel contracted with the stationary STB is not viewed Can be considered. Note that the above-described service is an example, and the present invention can be applied to other types of services as long as the service allows viewing of a CATV broadcast channel on a plurality of TV monitors. is there.

When performing such services, if complicated settings are required for installing a portable STB, the number of service users cannot be expected to increase. Further, if the customer service representative or the like has to ask for the setting, the cost burden on the CATV service provider is large.

By the way, the STB for CATV also supports Internet connection according to a standard called DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification), and also serves as a LAN router.

Therefore, in the third embodiment, a specific example of a method for facilitating setting for connection of a portable STB using a CATV STB having a wireless LAN router function will be described.

First, a portable STB is placed near a CATV STB installed in advance and a TV monitor connected to it by a video cable, and the portable STB is turned on. At this time, nothing is connected to the video output terminal of the portable STB.

Next, when the initial setting button is pressed, the portable STB transmits the wireless signal with the highest strength using, for example, RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) included in the wireless LAN function of the portable STB. To find the transmitting station. Here, since the initial setting of the portable STB is performed near the CATV STB, the CATV STB is found as a transmitting station that transmits a radio signal having the highest intensity. Therefore, the portable STB performs wireless key exchange with the CATV STB and establishes a communication state with the CATV STB. *

The CATV STB displays a message indicating that the initial setting is being performed on the connected TV monitor when the initial setting request signal is input from the portable STB. Then, when the remote control button of the CATV STB or the button of the main body of the CATV STB is pressed, the contract information of the CATV STB is transmitted to the portable STB, and the initial setting is completed.

The processing shown in FIG. 2, the processing shown in FIG. 4, and the processing shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 are respectively performed by program processing by a computer included in the portable STB 1, the wireless communication device 10, and the parent device 2. Can also be realized. Each of the above programs may be stored in a non-transitory medium such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a semiconductor storage device such as a flash memory, an optical disk, a magnetic disk, or a magneto-optical disk.

Note that each of the above embodiments can be combined with other embodiments.

The present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various changes that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention.

This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-046964 filed on Mar. 2, 2012, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein.

1 Video receiver with small wireless function (portable STB)
2 Deferred set-top box (master unit)
3 Video display device 4 Wireless LAN router 10 Communication device 101 Video / audio expansion unit 102 Video / audio signal output unit 103 Setting start signal input unit 104 Status display unit 105 Setting information storage unit 106 Wireless signal transmission / reception unit 107 Radio wave intensity measurement unit 108 Information processing Section 109 Information signal output section S1 Internet connection signal S2, S5 Wireless LAN connection signal S3 Video signal S4 Wired LAN connection signal

Claims

A setting start signal input unit for inputting a setting start signal instructing start of acquisition of predetermined setting information;
When the setting start signal is input, it is determined whether a wiring is connected, and an information signal output unit that outputs an information signal to an external information input / output device via the wiring;
A radio field intensity measurement unit for measuring the intensity of a radio signal transmitted by an external information setting device;
When the wireless signal is transmitted to and received from the information setting device that transmits the wireless signal having the strongest intensity, and the wiring is not connected to the information signal output unit, the setting information is transmitted from the information setting device. A radio signal transmitting / receiving unit to be acquired;
A control unit that performs predetermined processing on the information input from the wireless signal transmission / reception unit and outputs the information to an information signal output unit;
A status display for displaying the setting status or operating status;
A wireless communication apparatus comprising:
2. The wireless transmission / reception unit transmits a request signal for requesting transmission of the setting information to the information setting device when the wiring is not connected to the information signal output unit. Wireless communication device.
When a setting start signal instructing start of acquisition of predetermined setting information is input, the wireless communication device that determines whether or not a wiring for outputting an information signal to an external information input / output device is connected, The setting location information is transmitted to the wireless communication device when a request signal requesting transmission of the setting information, which is transmitted when a wiring is not connected to the information signal output unit, is received. Information setting device.
An Internet connection to connect to the Internet;
A router for constructing a LAN;
The information setting device according to claim 3, further comprising:
Storage means for storing received information received via the Internet;
The information setting device according to claim 3, wherein the reception information is distributed to the wireless communication device.
A wireless communication device according to claim 1;
An information setting device according to claim 3,
An information setting system comprising:
Input a setting start signal instructing to start acquisition of predetermined setting information,
When the setting start signal is input, determine whether the wiring is connected to the information signal output unit,
An information signal is output to an external information input / output device via the wiring,
Measure the strength of the radio signal transmitted by the external information transmitter,
Transmitting and receiving the wireless signal to and from the information transmitting device that transmits the wireless signal having the strongest strength,
When the wiring is not connected to the information signal output unit, the setting information is acquired from the information transmission device,
Perform predetermined processing on the information input from the wireless signal transmitting / receiving unit, and output the information to the information signal output unit,
An information setting method characterized by displaying a setting state or an operation state.
A computer included in the wireless communication device;
A setting start signal input means for inputting a setting start signal for instructing start of acquisition of predetermined setting information;
An information signal output means for determining whether or not a wiring is connected when the setting start signal is input, and outputting an information signal to an external information input / output device via the wiring;
Radio wave intensity measuring means for measuring the intensity of a radio signal transmitted by an external information transmitting device;
When the wireless signal is transmitted / received to / from the information transmitting device that transmits the wireless signal having the strongest intensity and the wiring is not connected to the information signal output unit, the setting information is transmitted from the information transmitting device. A wireless signal transmitting / receiving means to obtain;
Control means for performing predetermined processing on information input from the radio signal transmitting / receiving unit and outputting the information to an information signal output unit;
Display means for displaying a setting state or an operation state;
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing an information setting program for functioning as a computer.