CATV terminal device in two-way communication CATV system

• US 5,481,757 A
• Filed: 10/26/1993
• Issued: 01/02/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sanyo Electric Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sanyo Electric Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Yamamoto, Yuji, Mihara, Yoshikazu
• Primary Examiner(s): Kostak, Victor R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HSIA, SHERRIE Y
• Application Number:
  US08/141,335
• Time in Patent Office: 798 Days
• Field of Search: 348/12, 348/13, 348/20, 348/17, 348/15, 348/10, 455/3.1, 455/5.1, 455/4.1, 455/4.2, 455/6.1, 358/86
• US Class Current: 725/119
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/69 Optical systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4221 Dedicated function buttons, e.g. for the control of an EPG, subtitles, aspect ratio, picture-in-picture or teletext
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6118 involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6168 involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/16 Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17309 Transmission or handling of upstream communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17354 in an intermediate station common to a plurality of user terminals

Abstract

A two-way communication CATV system has a CATV broadcasting station, a relay device, and a plurality of CATV terminal devices. The CATV terminal device in the two-way communication CATV system includes a storing device for storing a recognition number, a frequency determining device for determining the frequency of a broadcasting signal transmitted from the relay device, and a recognition number setting device for determining a recognition number depending on the frequency determined by the frequency determining device and storing the determined recognition number in the storing device.

Claims

1. In a two-way communication CATV system having

a CATV broadcasting station for transmitting a CATV broadcasting signal including frequency-division-multiplexed broadcasting signals corresponding to a plurality of channels;

a plurality of CATV terminal devices respectively assigned different particular frequencies for transmitting channel request signals for requesting channels desired out of said plurality of channels; and

a relay device for receiving the CATV broadcasting signal transmitted from said CATV broadcasting station as well as receiving the channel request signals transmitted from said CATV terminal devices, frequency-converting the broadcasting signal corresponding to the channel requested by the channel request signal transmitted from each of said CATV terminal devices out of the broadcasting signals corresponding to the plurality of channels included in said CATV broadcasting signal into a broadcasting signal having the particular frequency assigned to the corresponding CATV terminal device and transmitting the broadcasting signal to the corresponding CATV terminal device, each of the plurality of CATV terminal devices in the two-way communication CATV system comprising;

storing means for storing a recognition number;

frequency determining means for determining the frequency of the broadcasting signal transmitted from said relay device; and

recognition number setting means for determining the recognition number depending on the frequency determined by said frequency determining means and storing the determined recognition number in said storing means.

2. In the two-way communication CATV system according to claim 1, wherein

the particular frequency determined by each of said CATV terminal devices is selected from frequencies corresponding to channel BS-1, channel BS-5, channel BS-9 and channel BS-15.

3. In the two-way communication CATV system according to claim 1, wherein in the CATV terminal device, said frequency determining means comprises

an oscillator whose oscillation frequency can be varied,

a mixer for frequency-converting the broadcasting signal transmitted from said relay device depending on the oscillation frequency of said oscillator,

a band-pass filter for passing only a signal component, in a predetermined intermediate frequency band, of an output signal of said mixer,

first determining means for determining whether or not the value of the signal component in the predetermined intermediate frequency band which is output from said band-pass filter is not less than a predetermined threshold value, and

second determining means for determining the frequency of said broadcasting signal transmitted from said relay device on the basis of the results of the determination made by said first determining means when the oscillation frequency of said oscillator is changed into a plurality of frequencies, which are respectively determined for the particular frequencies determined by said CATV terminal devices, for converting the particular frequencies into a frequency in said predetermined intermediate frequency band.

4. In the two-way communication CATV system according to claim 3, wherein

the particular frequency determined by each of said CATV terminal devices is selected from frequencies corresponding to channel BS-1, channel BS-5, channel BS-9 and channel BS-15.

5. In the two-way communication CATV system according to claim 1, wherein said relay device comprises a hub and a terminating device,

said hub comprising means for receiving said CATV broadcasting signal transmitted from said CATV broadcasting station as well as receiving the channel request signals transmitted from said CATV terminal devices through said terminating device, means for frequency-converting the broadcasting signal corresponding to the channel requested by the channel request signals transmitted from each of said CATV terminal devices out of the broadcasting signals corresponding to said plurality of channels included in said CATV broadcasting signal into the broadcasting signal having the particular frequency assigned to the corresponding CATV terminal device, and means for frequency-division-multiplexing a plurality of broadcasting signals obtained by the frequency-conversion to generate a broadcasting multiple signal and transmitting the generated broadcasting multiple signal to said terminating device,

said terminating device comprising means for separating the broadcasting multiple signal, transmitted from said hub, into the broadcasting signals having the particular frequencies respectively assigned to said CATV terminal devices, and means for receiving the channel request signals transmitted from said respective CATV terminal devices to transmit the channel request signals to said hub.

6. In the two-way communication CATV system according to claim 5, wherein

the particular frequency determined by each of said CATV terminal devices is selected from frequencies corresponding to channel BS-1, channel BS-5, channel BS-9 and channel BS-15.

7. In the two-way communication CATV system according to claim 5, wherein in the CATV terminal device, said frequency determining means comprises

an oscillator whose oscillation frequency can be varied,

a mixer for frequency-converting the broadcasting signal transmitted from said relay device depending on the oscillation frequency of said oscillator,

a band-pass filter for passing only a signal component, in a predetermined intermediate frequency band, of an output signal of said mixer,

first determining means for determining whether or not the value of the signal component in the predetermined intermediate frequency band which is output from said band-pass filter is not less than a predetermined threshold value, and

second determining means for determining the frequency of said broadcasting signal transmitted from said relay device on the basis of the results of the determination made by said first determining means when the oscillation frequency of said oscillator is changed into a plurality of frequencies, respectively determined for the particular frequencies determined by said CATV terminal devices, for converting the particular frequencies into a frequency in said predetermined intermediate frequency band.

8. In the two-way communication CATV system according to claim 7, wherein

the particular frequency determined by each of said CATV terminal devices is selected from frequencies corresponding to channel BS-1, channel BS-5, channel BS-9 and channel BS-15.

9. In a two-way communication CATV system comprising a communication control station and a plurality of CATV terminal devices connected to said communication control station, different recognition numbers being respectively set in said CATV terminal devices, a method of automatically setting recognition numbers assigned to CATV terminal devices in the two-way communication CATV system comprising the steps of:

automatically setting a temporary recognition number different from a normal recognition number in a newly subscribed CATV terminal device,

transmitting an inquiry message from said communication control station for inquiring of said newly subscribed CATV terminal device whether or not receiving is possible using said temporary recognition number,

transmitting a response message from said newly subscribed CATV terminal device indicating that receiving is possible to said communication control station when said newly subscribed CATV terminal device receives said inquiry message from said communication control station,

transmitting the normal recognition number to said newly subscribed CATV terminal device from said communication control station when said communication control station receives said response message indicating that receiving is possible from said newly subscribed CATV terminal device, and

setting by said newly subscribed CATV terminal device, when said newly subscribed CATV terminal device receives said normal recognition number from said communication control station, the received normal recognition number as a recognition number assigned to the CATV terminal device.

10. The method of automatically setting recognition numbers assigned to CATV terminal devices in the two-way communication CATV system according to claim 9, wherein said two-way communication CATV system comprises,

a CATV broadcasting station for transmitting a CATV broadcasting signal including frequency-division-multiplexed broadcasting signals corresponding to a plurality of channels,

the plurality of CATV terminal devices respectively assigned different particular frequencies for transmitting channel request signals for requesting channels desired out of said plurality of channels, and

a relay device for receiving the CATV broadcasting signal transmitted from said CATV broadcasting station as well as receiving the channel request signals transmitted from said CATV terminal devices, frequency-converting the broadcasting signal corresponding to the channel requested by the channel request signal transmitted from each of said CATV terminal devices out of the broadcasting signals corresponding to the plurality of channels included in said CATV broadcasting signal into a broadcasting signal having the particular frequency assigned to the corresponding CATV terminal device and transmitting the broadcasting signal to a subscriber'"'"'s home where the corresponding CATV terminal device is installed,

said communication control station being provided for said relay device.

11. The method of automatically setting recognition numbers assigned to CATV terminal devices in the two-way communication CATV system according to claim 10, wherein

the particular frequency determined by each of said CATV terminal devices is selected from frequencies corresponding to channel BS-1, channel BS-5, channel BS-9 and channel BS-15.

12. The method of automatically setting recognition numbers assigned to CATV terminal devices in the two-way communication CATV system according to claim 10, wherein said relay device comprises a hub and a terminating device,

said hub comprising means for receiving said CATV broadcasting signal transmitted from said CATV broadcasting station as well as receiving the channel request signals transmitted from said CATV terminal devices through said terminating device, means for frequency-converting the broadcasting signal corresponding to the channel requested by the channel request signals transmitted from each of said CATV terminal devices out of the broadcasting signals corresponding to said plurality of channels included in said CATV broadcasting signal into the broadcasting signal having the particular frequency assigned to the corresponding CATV terminal device, and means for frequency-division-multiplexing a plurality of broadcasting signals obtained by the frequency-conversion to generate a broadcasting multiple signal and transmitting the generated broadcasting multiple signal to said terminating device,

said terminating device comprising mean for separating the broadcasting multiple signal, transmitted from said hub, into broadcasting signals for subscribers'"'"' homes where the corresponding CATV terminal devices are respectively installed, and means for receiving the channel request signals transmitted from said respective CATV terminal devices to transmit the channel request signals to said hub,

said communication control station being provided for said hub.

13. The method of automatically setting recognition numbers assigned to CATV terminal devices in the two-way communication CATV system according to claim 12, wherein

the particular frequency determined by each of said CATV terminal devices is selected from frequencies corresponding to channel BS-1, channel BS-5, channel BS-9 and channel BS-15.

14. In a two-way communication CATV system comprising a communication control station and a plurality of CATV terminal devices connected to said communication control station, different recognition numbers being respectively set in said CATV terminal devices, a device for automatically setting recognition numbers assigned to CATV terminal devices in the two-way communication CATV system comprising:

means provided for a newly subscribed CATV terminal device for automatically setting a temporary recognition number different from a normal recognition number in said newly subscribed CATV terminal device;

means provided for said communication control station for transmitting an inquiry message for inquiring of said newly subscribed CATV terminal device whether or not receiving is possible using said temporary recognition number;

means provided for said newly subscribed CATV terminal device for transmitting a response message indicating that receiving is possible to said communication control station when said newly subscribed CATV terminal device receives said inquiry message from said communication control station;

means provided for said communication control station for transmitting the normal recognition number to said newly subscribed CATV terminal device when said communication control station receives said response message indicating that receiving is possible from said newly subscribed CATV terminal device; and

means provided for said newly subscribed CATV terminal device for setting, when said newly subscribed CATV terminal device receives said normal recognition number from said communication control station, said received normal recognition number as a recognition number assigned to the CATV terminal device.

15. The device for automatically setting recognition numbers assigned to CATV terminal devices in the two-way communication CATV system according to claim 14, wherein said two-way communication CATV system comprises

a CATV broadcasting station for transmitting a CATV broadcasting signal including frequency-division-multiplexed broadcasting signals corresponding to a plurality of channels,

the plurality of CATV terminal devices respectively assigned different particular frequencies for transmitting channel request signals for requesting channels desired out of said plurality of channels, and

a relay device for receiving the CATV broadcasting signal transmitted from said CATV broadcasting station as well as receiving the channel request signals transmitted from said CATV terminal devices, frequency-converting the broadcasting signal corresponding to the channel requested by the channel request signal transmitted from each of said CATV terminal devices out of the broadcasting signals corresponding to the plurality of channels included in said CATV broadcasting signal into a broadcasting signal having the particular frequency assigned to the corresponding CATV terminal device and transmitting the broadcasting signal to a subscriber'"'"'s home where the corresponding CATV terminal device is installed,

said communication control station being provided for said relay device.

16. The device for automatically setting recognition numbers assigned to CATV terminal devices in the two-way communication CATV system according to claim 15, wherein

the particular frequency determined by each of said CATV terminal devices is selected from frequencies corresponding to channel BS-1, channel BS-5, channel BS-9 and channel BS-15.

17. The device for automatically setting recognition numbers assigned to CATV terminal devices in the two-way communication CATV system according to claim 16, wherein said relay device comprises a hub and a terminating device,

said hub comprising means for receiving said CATV broadcasting signal transmitted from said CATV broadcasting station as well as receiving the channel request signals transmitted from said CATV terminal devices through said terminating device, means for frequency-converting the broadcasting signal corresponding to the channel requested by the channel request signals transmitted from each of said CATV terminal devices out of the broadcasting signals corresponding to said plurality of channels included in said CATV broadcasting signal into the broadcasting signal having the particular frequency assigned to the corresponding CATV terminal device, and means for frequency-division-multiplexing a plurality of broadcasting signals obtained by the frequency-conversion to generate a broadcasting multiple signal and transmitting the generated broadcasting multiple signal to said terminating device,

said terminating device comprising mean for separating the broadcasting multiple signal, transmitted from said hub, into broadcasting signals for subscribers'"'"' homes where the corresponding CATV terminal devices are respectively installed, and means for receiving the channel request signals transmitted from said respective CATV terminal devices to transmit the channel request signals to said hub,

said communication control station being provided for said hub.

18. In a two-way communication CATV system comprising a CATV broadcasting station and a CATV terminal device, in which when a chargeable broadcasting program provided from said CATV broadcasting station is received by said CATV terminal device, said chargeable broadcasting program can be continuously viewed in a normal state only when a predetermined authentication signal is transmitted from said CATV terminal device to said CATV broadcasting station within a predetermined time period, the CATV terminal device in the two-way communication CATV system comprising:

setting means for setting receiving time and a channel to be received at the receiving time;

receiving channel switching means for switching a receiving channel to the channel set in said setting means when the time set by said setting means has arrived;

determining means for determining whether a received program on the channel to which the receiving channel is switched by said receiving channel switching means is a chargeable broadcasting program or a non-chargeable broadcasting program on the basis of control data transmitted from said CATV broadcasting station; and

means for transmitting said predetermined authentication signal to said CATV broadcasting station within said predetermined time period when said determining means determines that said received program is the chargeable broadcasting program.

19. In a two-way communication CATV system comprising a CATV broadcasting station and a CATV terminal device, in which said CATV terminal device inquires of said CATV broadcasting station a genre of each of a plurality of programs provided by said CATV broadcasting station, so that a response indicating the inquired genre of the program is sent to said CATV terminal device from said CATV broadcasting station, the CATV terminal device in the two-way communication CATV system comprising:

input means for inputting one genre which a viewer desires to view out of a plurality of genres;

retrieving means for inquiring of said CATV broadcasting station the genre of each of the programs provided by said CATV broadcasting station when the one genre which the viewer desires to view is input by said input means to retrieve the program corresponding to the one genre input by said input means out of the programs provided by said CATV broadcasting station; and

scanning means for switching a receiving channel so that the programs retrieved by said retrieving means are sequentially received for each predetermined time period.