JP2003131981A - Data broadcasting receiving set - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily cope with the addition or modification of a function for the content of a data broadcasting receiving set. SOLUTION: A BML document included in data broadcasting is extracted with an extraction means 10. A description of content processing is extracted from the extracted BML document with a content processing request means 11, and a request for the content processing according to the description content is made to content processing means 12a to 12c. The content processing means 12a to 12c, by the request of the content processing request means 11, performs the content processing according to the description content of the BML document using function modules 13a to 13c that achieve the function for the content, and notifies the content processing request means 11 of the processing result. As above, the content processing means 12a to 12c perform the content processing using the function modules 13a to 13c, so that it becomes possible to easily correspond to the addition or modification of the function for the content by the addition or modification of the content processing in correspondence with the function modules 13a to 13c.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data broadcast receiving device for receiving a data broadcast, and more particularly to a data broadcast receiving device for processing a content document included in the data broadcast.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In data broadcasting, a content document described in a content description language can utilize functions such as program reservation of a data broadcasting receiving device and hardware such as a modem. For example, a BML document that uses functions such as program reservation and hardware such as a modem is described in BML, which is a content description language, and is included in a data broadcast and transmitted. The data broadcast receiving device can perform program reservation and communication using a modem by receiving the data broadcast, analyzing and processing the BML document.

The data broadcast receiving device divides the received data broadcast into a BML document described in BML and a mono-media file such as JPEG or PNG referenced from the BML document, and processes the BML document. These BML
The document processing is performed by software including one module, and manages and processes all the functions and hardware of the data broadcast receiving device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the processing structure of a conventional BML document. As shown in FIG. 5, the data broadcast receiving device includes a BML document processing unit 40, a clock function module 41a, and a reservation function module 41b.

The BML document processing unit 40 extracts a BML document from the received data broadcast and performs content processing according to the description content described in the BML document. The clock function module 41a is a module having a function of acquiring the current time, and the reservation function module 41b is a module having a function of registering reservation of a program.

For example, it is assumed that an instruction to make a viewing reservation is described (browser.epg (...);) in the BML document.
Viewing reservation is a function that automatically starts a specific program at a certain time. Yy year mm month dd in BML document
If there is a description to start the program A from day hh, the BML document processing unit 40 determines that the clock function module 41
Access a, obtain the current time, and check whether the reserved time is in the past. If it is not in the past, the reservation that the program A is started from yy mmmm dd day hh is registered in the reservation function module 41b.

[0007]

By the way, the data broadcast receiving apparatus may be added with a function due to a change in specifications, or may be changed due to a defect or the like. When a function is added or changed, it is necessary to change the entire processing part of the BML document so as to correspond to the added or changed function. For example, in the data broadcast receiving apparatus of FIG. 5, when a modem function for performing communication is added, the entire BML document processing unit 40 is changed so that communication using the modem can be performed. As described above, there is a problem in that it is difficult to make changes to correspond to the functions to be added or changed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a data broadcast receiving apparatus which can easily cope with addition or change of a function for contents.

[0009]

According to the present invention, in a data broadcast receiving device for receiving a data broadcast, an extracting means for extracting a content document described in a content description language included in the data broadcast, and the content. A content processing request unit that extracts a content processing description from a document, requests the content processing corresponding to the description and receives a processing result, a functional module that realizes a content function, and the content using the functional module. There is provided a data broadcast receiving device, comprising: a content processing means for performing processing and notifying the processing result.

According to the above construction, the content processing requesting means makes a request for content processing, and the content processing means receives the request and processes the content processing by using the functional module. Therefore, it is possible to easily cope with the addition or change of the function for the content.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a principle configuration of a data broadcast receiving apparatus of the present invention.

The data broadcasting receiving apparatus of the present invention comprises an extracting means 10, a content processing requesting means 11, content processing means 12a-12c, and functional modules 13a-13.
and c.

The extraction means 10 extracts the content document described in the content description language included in the received data broadcast. The content processing request means 11 extracts the description of the content processing from the content document extracted by the extraction means 10, and performs the content processing according to the extracted description of the content processing.
2a to 12c are requested to process contents. Also,
The result of content processing by the content processing means 12a to 12c is received.

Upon receiving the content processing request from the content processing request means 11, the content processing means 12a to 12c perform content processing by using the functional modules 13a to 13c for realizing the function of the data broadcast receiving apparatus. The content processing means 12a to 12c notify the content processing request means 11 of the result of content processing. If the function modules 13a to 13c to be used do not exist, the content processing request means 11 is notified that the content processing cannot be performed.

The function modules 13a to 13c are modules that realize the functions of the data broadcast receiving apparatus. Hereinafter, the operation of the data broadcast receiving apparatus of FIG.
A case in which the information to access the information of the IC card is described will be described. Also, the content processing means 12a
Performs viewing reservation processing, and the content processing means 12b.
Performs communication processing, and the content processing means 12c
The function module 13a has a clock function for acquiring the current time, the function module 13b has a reservation registration function for making reservation registration, and the function module 13c has a modem function for communication. It will be described as a module to be realized.

The data broadcast is input to the extraction means 10,
Content documents are extracted. The description of the content processing is extracted from the extracted content document by the content processing request means 11. Content processing request means 1
1 requests the content processing means 12a to 12c for content processing according to the extracted content processing details.

When the content document has a description for making a viewing reservation for a program, the content processing request means 11
A processing request is issued to the content processing means 12a. The content processing means 12a is a functional module 1 having a clock function.
The present time is acquired from 3a, and it is processed whether or not the viewing start time of the program to be reserved for viewing has already passed. When the viewing start time has not passed, the content processing unit 12a registers the program for which viewing reservation is made in the function module 13b having the reservation registration function, and notifies the content processing requesting unit 11 of the registration. If the viewing start time has already passed, the content processing request means 11 is notified that the registration has not been completed.

When the description for making a reservation for viewing the program is followed by the description for communicating, the content processing requesting means 11 makes a processing request to the content processing means 12b. The content processing means 12b transfers data to the functional module 13c having a modem function and performs processing such as instructing start of data transfer. Then, the content processing means 12b notifies the content processing request means 11 that the data has been transferred.

Further, when the description for accessing the information of the IC card is written after the description for communicating, the content processing request means 11 requests the content processing means 12c for processing. In this case, the data broadcast receiving device is
Since there is no function to access the C card, the content processing means 12c notifies the content processing request means 11 that the content processing could not be performed.

By the way, when a new function is added or a function is changed, the content processing means performs the content processing using the function module.
Alternatively, it suffices to change the content processing content of the content processing means in accordance with the changed functional module.

As a result, the function of the data broadcasting receiver can be easily added or changed.
Next, an example of an embodiment of the data broadcast receiving apparatus of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram of the data broadcast receiving apparatus of the present invention. The data broadcast receiving device includes an antenna 20, a tuner 21, a decoder 22, and a CP.
U23, ROM24, RAM25, modem 26
The video processing section 27, the CRT 28, and a remote controller (not shown).

The antenna 20 receives the data broadcast sent from the communication satellite. The antenna 20 sends the received data broadcast to the tuner 21. The tuner 21 high-frequency processes and demodulates the data broadcast sent from the antenna 20. The tuner 21 sends the data broadcast subjected to the high frequency processing and demodulation to the decoder 22.

The decoder 22 uses the B data described in the BML description language from the data broadcast sent from the tuner 21.
Extract ML documents. The CPU 23 operates according to the software stored in the ROM 24, and analyzes and processes the BML document.

The ROM 24 stores software for analyzing and processing the BML document. Software for requesting content processing from the contents described in the BML document, software for performing content processing by using a function of the data broadcast receiving apparatus in response to the request for content processing, and data broadcast receiving apparatus have The software in which the function is described is stored.

The RAM 25 is a work area when the software of the CPU 23 is being executed. The modem 26
Data is transmitted and received through a telephone line (not shown). The modem 26 converts the digital data sent from the CPU 23 into analog data that can be sent to the telephone line.
In addition, the analog data sent from the telephone line is CP
Convert to digital data that U23 can handle.

The video processing unit 27 converts the BML document processed by the CPU 23 into data that can be displayed by the CRT 28. The CRT 28 is a cathode ray tube that displays the data sent from the video processing unit 27.

FIG. 3 shows a part of the BML document.
In the portion A shown in FIG. 3, when the characters "viewing reservation" are displayed on the display screen of the CRT 28, the remote controller is focused on "viewing reservation", and the decision button is pressed. The content of the viewing reservation is shown so that the user can view the contents.

The new Date function shown in part A is a function for changing the date 2002,1,29,0,20,0 passed as an argument into a var type variable. The date changed to var type is stored in the StartTime variable of var type. arib: //0004.0001.0064.001
5 indicates a reserved program, and is stored in a var type variable EventRef.

The browser.epgReserve function is an argument Ev
This is a function that reserves viewing of the program stored in entRef on the date stored in StartTime. I.e. ari
b: //0004.0001.0064.0015 shows the program shown on the date 2002,1,29,
The program starts automatically so that you can watch it at 0,20,0.

<P ();"> Reservation for viewing </ p>
Is called the P element, and it is described that the character "viewing reservation" is displayed on the display screen of the CRT 28, the "viewing reservation" is focused with the remote control, and the function Reserve () is executed when the decision button is pressed. ing. That is, the program is reserved for viewing by focusing on "viewing reservation" on the CRT 28 with the remote controller and pressing the decision button.

In the portion B shown in FIG. 3, the character "Send" is displayed on the display screen of the CRT 28 and "Send" is displayed by the remote controller.
When the focus is on and the decision button is pressed, the content that the character string "test" is transmitted to the telephone line via the modem is shown.

The telephone number 0312345678 is stored in the var type variable tel shown in the part B. var variable hostNo
Stores test1 indicating the host number. Indicates that the provider is not connected to the var variable provider
false is stored. The variable speed of var type stores 1 indicating the transfer speed. The var type variable timeout stores 5000 indicating a timeout time. var type variable t
In ext, test which is data transmitted to the telephone line is stored.

The browser.connect function is passed the argument te
It is a function that connects to a telephone line via a modem according to l, hostNo, provider, speed, timeout. browser.sendTe
The xtData function is a function for transmitting the data stored in the argument text to the telephone line via the modem. Also, the argument
If the data transfer is not completed within the timeout period of timeout, the connection to the telephone line via the modem is terminated.

The browser.disconnect function is a function for ending the connection to the telephone line via the modem. Below, FIG.
The operation of the data broadcast receiving apparatus shown in FIG. 3 will be described using a part of the BML document in FIG.

In a data broadcast that is broadcast several times, a viewing reservation operation is performed so that the user can start the next broadcast without being aware of what time it starts, and the data is transmitted via the telephone line. The operation will be described separately.

First, a description will be given of a viewing reservation operation for starting the next broadcast in a data broadcast which is broadcast several times without being aware of what time the user starts.

A data broadcast including the BML document shown in FIG. 3 is received by the antenna 20 and sent to the tuner 21. The tuner 21 high-frequency processes and demodulates the data broadcast and sends it to the decoder 22. The decoder 22 extracts a BML document from the data broadcast sent from the tuner 21 and sends it to the CPU 23.

The CPU 23 processes the BML document extracted by the decoder 22 by the software stored in the ROM 24. The new Date function shown in FIG.
It is described in a part of software for analyzing and processing the BML document stored in. The CPU 23 converts the date 2002,1,29,0,20,0, which is the date, into a var type variable by executing the new Date function described in this software, and sets the date in the var type variable StartTime. Store. Then, arib: //0004.0001.006 showing the program to be reserved
4.0015 is stored in var type variable EventRef. Furthermore C
The PU 23 executes software for analyzing and processing the BML document stored in the ROM 24, and the browser.
Extract that the epgReserve function is described. brow
The substance of the ser.epgReserve function is described as part of the software that processes the content. The CPU 23 executes the program of EventRef by StartTim by executing the browser.epgReserve function described in this software.
Make a viewing reservation at the date shown in e. Then, the result of the viewing reservation is returned to the software that analyzes the BML document, and C
Display on RT28.

At this time, the CPU 23 acquires the current date by using software having a function of acquiring the date described in a part of the software in which the function for performing the content processing is described, and acquires the current date as an argument. Check whether the passed StartTime date is in the past. Further, the CPU 23 receives the Ev passed as an argument by the software of the reservation function described in a part of the software in which the function for performing the content processing is described.
Check if the program to be reserved in entRef is already reserved.

As described above, the brow described in the BML document
Software to extract ser.epgReserve function and browse
Software including the substance of the r.epgReserve function and browse
Since the function that acquires the date used when executing the r.epgReserve function and the reservation function are separated from the software in which the processing is performed, the software can be added, changed, or ported easily.

Next, the operation of transmitting data via the telephone line will be described. The CPU 23, according to the software that analyzes the BML document stored in the ROM 24,
Process the BML document shown in FIG. CPU23 is var
Store the telephone number, 0312345678, in the type variable tel.
Next, the CPU 23 stores test1 indicating the host number in the var type variable hostNo, stores false indicating not connecting to the provider in the var type variable provider, and sets the transfer speed in the var type variable speed. The value 1 is stored. Further, 5000 indicating the timeout time is stored in the var type variable timeout, and test which is the data to be transferred is stored in the var type variable text.

Next, the CPU 23 analyzes the BML document in accordance with the software stored in the ROM 24, and brows it.
Extract that the ser.connect function is described. bro
The substance of the wser.connect function is described as part of the software that processes the content. The CPU 23 accesses the modem 26 by executing the browser.connect function described in this software. Then, the result of access to the modem 26 is returned to the software for analyzing the BML document and displayed on the CRT 28.

At this time, the CPU 23 uses the software for accessing the modem 26, which is a part of the software in which the function for performing the content processing is described, so that the modem 26 receives an argument tel, hostNo, provider, spee.
Sends d, timeout, text information.

Next, the CPU 23 analyzes the BML document in accordance with the software stored in the ROM 24, and brows it.
Extract that the ser.sendTextData function is described. The substance of the browser.sendTextData function is described as part of the software that processes the content. CPU
23 is browser.se described in this software
The modem 26 is accessed by executing the ndTextData function.

At this time, the CPU 23 sends the data to be transmitted to the modem 26 and the timeout time by using the software for accessing the modem 26, which is a part of the software in which the function for performing the content processing is described.

Next, the CPU 23 analyzes the BML document according to the software stored in the ROM 24, and brows it.
Extract that the ser.disconnect function is described.
The substance of the browser.disconnect function is described as part of the software that processes the content. CPU23
Is the browser.discon described in this software
The modem 26 is accessed by executing the nect function.

At this time, the CPU 23 terminates the access of the modem 26 by using the software for accessing the modem 26 which is a part of the software in which the function for performing the content processing is described.

As described above, the BML file is described.
Software that extracts the browser.connect function, browser.sendTextData function, and browser.disconnect function,
Describes the software including the entities of browser.connect function, browser.sendTextData function, and browser.disconnect function, and the modem function used when executing the browser.connect function, browser.sendTextData function, and browser.disconnect function. Since the processing is performed separately from the software that was added,
Alternatively, it can be easily transplanted.

Next, the data broadcast receiving apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the block diagram showing the processing structure of the BML document shown in FIG. The BML document processing unit 30 shown in FIG.
The portion of the ML document in which the content processing instruction is described is extracted. The BML document processing unit 30 extracts the description of the reservation function for making the viewing reservation of the program shown in the figure, and requests the reservation interface 31a to perform the viewing reservation processing.
Similarly, the description of the communication function for performing data communication via the telephone line is extracted, and the modem interface 31b is requested to perform the communication process.

The reservation interface 31a is the substance of the reservation function, acquires the current time from the clock function module 32a, and confirms whether or not the time reserved for viewing is not in the past. If the viewing reservation time is not in the past, the viewing reservation is registered in the reservation function module 32b.

If the viewing reservation time is in the past, the BML document processing unit 30 is notified that the viewing reservation cannot be made. In addition, the reservation interface 31a notifies the BML document processing unit 30 that the viewing reservation cannot be made when the clock function module 32a and the reservation function module 32b are not installed.

The modem interface 31b is the substance of the reservation function, and transmits data for communication and the telephone number of the destination to the modem function module 32c. Further, the modem interface 31b notifies the BML document processing unit 30 that data communication cannot be performed when the modem function module 32c is not installed.

As described above, since the interface accesses the function module that realizes the function and processes the BML document, even when a new function is added or changed, the B
It is not necessary to change the ML document processing unit 30, and it is possible to easily cope with it by adding an interface.

[0055]

As described above, according to the present invention, the content processing request means requests the content processing, and the content processing means receives the request and processes the content processing using the functional module. It becomes possible to easily cope with addition or change of the function to the content.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a principle configuration of a data broadcast receiving device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a data broadcast receiving device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a part of a BML document.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a processing structure of a BML document.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a processing structure of a conventional BML document.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Extraction means, 11 ... Content processing request means,
12a to 12c ... Content processing means, 13a to 13
b ... Functional module, 20 ... Antenna, 21 ... Tuner, 22 ... Decoder, 23 ... CPU, 24 ...
ROM, 25 ... RAM, 26 ... Modem, 27 ... Image processing unit, 28 ... CRT, 30 ... BML document processing unit, 31a ... Reservation interface, 31b ... Modem interface, 32a ... Clock function module ,
32b ... Reservation function module, 32c ... Modem function module.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A data broadcast receiving apparatus for receiving a data broadcast, extracting means for extracting a content document described in a content description language included in the data broadcast, and extracting a description of content processing from the content document. A content processing requesting unit that requests the content processing corresponding to the description and receives a processing result; a functional module that realizes a content function; and content that performs the content processing by using the functional module and notifies the processing result. A data broadcast receiving device comprising: a processing unit. 2. The data broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content processing unit notifies that the content processing cannot be performed when the functional module used for the content processing does not exist. 3. The data broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content processing means performs the content processing by utilizing a plurality of the functional modules. 4. The content description language is BML (Broa
The data broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data broadcast receiving apparatus is a dcast Markup Language).