Broadcast receiving device, management device, control method, and management method

Abstract

To more easily set the operation of a broadcast receiving device.SOLUTION: A broadcast receiving device includes a receiving unit that autonomously establishes a communication connection with a management device outside the broadcast receiving device and receives setting information regarding the settings of the broadcast receiving device from the management device, and a control unit that controls the operation of the broadcast receiving device based on the setting information received by the receiving unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a broadcast receiving apparatus, a management apparatus, a control method, and a management method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as an apparatus used for viewing content on a television apparatus, a broadcast receiving apparatus such as an STB (Set Top Box) is known. The broadcast receiving apparatus receives content distributed from a cable television station and reproduces the received content on the television apparatus. In order to improve the convenience of users of the broadcast receiving apparatus, a technology capable of monitoring the broadcast receiving apparatus is required.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2023-62869) discloses a content viewing apparatus as follows. That is, the content viewing apparatus includes a detection unit that detects the occurrence of a predetermined event in the content viewing apparatus, a log acquisition unit that acquires an internal state detailed log indicating the state of the content viewing apparatus when the occurrence of the predetermined event is detected by the detection unit, and a transmission processing unit that transmits the internal state detailed log acquired by the log acquisition unit to a management apparatus outside the content viewing apparatus.

[0004] Further, Non-Patent Document 1 ("What is TR-069?", [online], [searched on November 30, 2023], Internet <URL:https: / / ja.axiros.com / knowledge-base / tr-069>) describes performing automatic setting, management, and monitoring of customer-premises equipment using TR-069, which is a technical specification regarding a method for managing customer-premises equipment.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Literature

[0006]

Non-Patent Literature 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] Beyond the technologies described in Patent Literature 1 and Non-Patent Literature 1, a technology that can more easily perform the setting of the operation of a broadcast receiving apparatus is desired.

[0008] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a broadcast receiving apparatus, a management apparatus, a control method, and a management method that can more easily perform the setting of the operation of the broadcast receiving apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] The broadcast receiving apparatus of the present disclosure includes a receiving unit that autonomously establishes a communication connection with a management apparatus outside the broadcast receiving apparatus and receives setting information regarding the setting of the broadcast receiving apparatus from the management apparatus, and a control unit that controls the operation of the broadcast receiving apparatus based on the setting information received by the receiving unit.

[0010] One aspect of the present disclosure can be realized not only as a broadcast receiving apparatus including such a characteristic processing unit, but also as a program for causing a computer to execute steps of such characteristic processing, as a semiconductor integrated circuit realizing part or all of the broadcast receiving apparatus, or as a system including the broadcast receiving apparatus. Further, one aspect of the present disclosure can be realized not only as a management apparatus including such a characteristic processing unit, but also as a program for causing a computer to execute steps of such characteristic processing, as a semiconductor integrated circuit realizing part or all of the management apparatus, or as a system including the management apparatus.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to the present disclosure, the operation settings of the broadcast receiving apparatus can be performed more easily.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] First, the content of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. (1) The broadcast receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a receiving unit that autonomously establishes a communication connection with a management apparatus outside the broadcast receiving apparatus and receives setting information regarding settings of the broadcast receiving apparatus from the management apparatus, and a control unit that controls operations in the broadcast receiving apparatus based on the setting information received by the receiving unit.

[0014] In this way, by having a configuration in which a communication connection with a management apparatus is autonomously established, setting information is received from the management apparatus, and operations in the broadcast receiving apparatus are controlled based on the setting information, for example, a communication connection between the broadcast receiving apparatus and the management apparatus can be established without opening the communication port of the broadcast receiving apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in the network load and suppress a decrease in the security of the broadcast receiving apparatus while transmitting setting information from the management apparatus to the broadcast receiving apparatus installed at the user's home. Further, operations in the broadcast receiving apparatus can be controlled based on the setting information without requiring an update of the firmware of the broadcast receiving apparatus. Therefore, the setting of the operations of the broadcast receiving apparatus can be performed more easily.

[0015] (2) In the above (1), the broadcast receiving apparatus may further include an acquisition unit that acquires state information indicating at least one of the state of the broadcast receiving apparatus and the devices connected to the broadcast receiving apparatus, the receiving unit may receive the setting information regarding the acquisition of the state information from the management apparatus, and the control unit may control the operation of the acquisition unit based on the setting information.

[0016] With such a configuration, since the content of the operation of acquiring state information in the broadcast receiving apparatus can be set from the management apparatus side, for example, state information useful for analyzing the cause of an abnormality in the broadcast receiving apparatus can be acquired.

[0017] (3) In the above (2), the receiving unit may receive the setting information indicating at least one of the acquisition condition of the state information and the type of information to be acquired as the state information from the management device.

[0018] With such a configuration, it is possible to set the type of state information acquired in the broadcast receiving device, the acquisition timing, etc. from the management device side.

[0019] (4) In the above (2) or (3), the broadcast receiving device may further include a transmitting unit that transmits the state information acquired by the acquiring unit to a device outside the broadcast receiving device.

[0020] With such a configuration, for example, it is possible to collect the state information acquired in a plurality of broadcast receiving devices and investigate the cause of occurrence of an abnormality in the broadcast receiving device.

[0021] (5) The management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a setting acquisition unit that acquires setting information related to the setting of a broadcast receiving device, and a transmission unit that establishes a communication connection with the broadcast receiving device in response to a request from the broadcast receiving device and transmits the setting information acquired by the setting acquisition unit to the broadcast receiving device.

[0022] In this way, by establishing a communication connection with the broadcast receiving device in response to a request from the broadcast receiving device and transmitting the setting information to the broadcast receiving device, for example, it is possible to establish a communication connection between the broadcast receiving device and the management device without opening the communication port of the broadcast receiving device. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in the network load and suppress a decrease in the security of the broadcast receiving device, while transmitting the setting information from the management device to the broadcast receiving device installed at the user's home. In addition, it is possible to control the operation in the broadcast receiving device based on the setting information without requiring an update of the firmware of the broadcast receiving device. Therefore, the setting of the operation of the broadcast receiving device can be performed more easily.

[0023] (6) In the above (5), the setting acquisition unit may acquire the setting information regarding acquisition of state information indicating the state of at least one of the broadcast receiving device and the devices connected to the broadcast receiving device.

[0024] With such a configuration, using the acquired setting information, the content of the state information acquisition operation in the broadcast receiving device can be set from the management device side, so that, for example, state information useful for analyzing the cause of an abnormality in the broadcast receiving device can be acquired.

[0025] (7) In the above (6), the management device may further include a collection unit that collects the state information from a plurality of the broadcast receiving devices, and a generation unit that generates statistical data of the state information collected by the collection unit.

[0026] With such a configuration, based on the generated statistical data, setting information for acquiring state information useful for analyzing the cause of an abnormality in the broadcast receiving device can be generated.

[0027] (8) The control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a control method in a broadcast receiving device, including: autonomously establishing a communication connection with a management device outside the broadcast receiving device; receiving setting information regarding settings of the broadcast receiving device from the management device; and controlling operations in the broadcast receiving device based on the received setting information.

[0028] In this way, by means of a method in which a communication connection with a management device is autonomously established, setting information is received from the management device, and the operation in the broadcast receiving device is controlled based on the setting information, for example, a communication connection between the broadcast receiving device and the management device can be established without opening the communication port of the broadcast receiving device. Therefore, while suppressing an increase in the network load and suppressing a decrease in the security of the broadcast receiving device, setting information can be transmitted from the management device to the broadcast receiving device installed at the user's home. Also, based on the setting information, the operation in the broadcast receiving device can be controlled without the need to update the firmware of the broadcast receiving device. Therefore, the operation of the broadcast receiving device can be set more easily.

[0029] (9) The management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a management method in a management device, including a step of acquiring setting information regarding the setting of a broadcast receiving device, and a step of establishing a communication connection with the broadcast receiving device in response to a request from the broadcast receiving device and transmitting the acquired setting information to the broadcast receiving device.

[0030] In this way, by means of a method in which a communication connection with a broadcast receiving device is established in response to a request from the broadcast receiving device and setting information is transmitted to the broadcast receiving device, for example, a communication connection between the broadcast receiving device and the management device can be established without opening the communication port of the broadcast receiving device. Therefore, while suppressing an increase in the network load and suppressing a decrease in the security of the broadcast receiving device, setting information can be transmitted from the management device to the broadcast receiving device installed at the user's home. Also, based on the setting information, the operation in the broadcast receiving device can be controlled without the need to update the firmware of the broadcast receiving device. Therefore, the operation of the broadcast receiving device can be set more easily.

[0031] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description will not be repeated. Also, at least a part of the embodiments described below may be arbitrarily combined.

[0032] [Configuration and Basic Operations] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1, the management system 301 includes a plurality of broadcast receiving devices 101, a plurality of display devices 2, and a server 201. The server 201 is an example of a management device.

[0033] The broadcast receiving device 101 is, for example, an STB. The broadcast receiving device 101 receives, for example, content distributed from a cable television station. The broadcast receiving device 101 can receive content by digital broadcast and content by IP broadcast such as VOD (Video On Demand), and record and play back the received content. The broadcast receiving device 101 receives, for example, a stream in which content is divided into a plurality of TS (Transport Stream) packets, and plays back the content on the display device 2 connected to the broadcast receiving device 101.

[0034] The display device 2 is, for example, a television device. The display device 2 is connected to the broadcast receiving device 101 via, for example, an HDMI (registered trademark) cable. The display device 2 displays the content played back on the broadcast receiving device 101 on the screen.

[0035] The server 201 is, for example, a cloud server. However, the server 201 may be a single server. The server 201 can communicate with a plurality of broadcast receiving devices 101 via a network, and transmits setting information S regarding the settings of the broadcast receiving device 101 to the broadcast receiving device 101 via the network.

[0036] The broadcast receiving device 101 acquires status information C1 indicating the status of the broadcast receiving device 101 and status information C2 indicating the status of the devices connected to the broadcast receiving device 101. The broadcast receiving device 101 transmits the acquired status information C1 and C2 to the server 201 via the network. Hereinafter, each of the status information C1 and C2 is also referred to as status information C.

[0037] Server 201 receives status information C from a plurality of broadcast receiving apparatuses 101. The status information C received by server 201 is used for investigating the cause of an abnormality in broadcast receiving apparatus 101 and the like.

[0038] <Broadcast receiving apparatus> FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a broadcast receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Since the plurality of broadcast receiving apparatuses 101 in the management system 301 have the same configuration, the configuration of one broadcast receiving apparatus 101 will be described below. Referring to FIG. 2, the broadcast receiving apparatus 101 includes a receiving unit 10, a processing unit 20, and a storage unit 30. Part or all of the receiving unit 10 and the processing unit 20 are realized by, for example, a processing circuit (Circuitry) including one or a plurality of processors. The storage unit 30 is, for example, a non-volatile memory such as NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory) included in the above processing circuit.

[0039] The receiving unit 10 acquires a stream via a network such as the Internet or via an antenna. More specifically, the receiving unit 10 performs reception processing of broadcast packets constituting the stream and outputs it to the processing unit 20. The stream includes, for example, audio information, video information, EPG (Electronic Program Guide) information, subtitle information, and SI (Service Information).

[0040] The processing unit 20 stores the broadcast packets received from the receiving unit 10 in the storage unit 30. Further, the processing unit 20 performs processing for outputting content. More specifically, the processing unit 20 performs processing for reproducing content using, for example, the information stored in the storage unit 30, and transmits the obtained video information, audio information, etc. to the display device 2. Further, the processing unit 20 exchanges information with the server 201 via a network.

[0041] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of a broadcast receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 3, the broadcast receiving apparatus 101 includes a wireless communication unit 11, a broadcast receiving unit 12, an erasure unit 21, a recording unit 22, a recording reservation unit 23, a broadcast viewing unit 24, a recording playback unit 25, a recording DB 31, a program information DB 32, and a reservation management DB 33. Further, the broadcast receiving apparatus 101 is connected to an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 40 via, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable. The broadcast receiving apparatus 101 may be connected to a plurality of HDDs 40, or may be connected to a USB memory or an SSD (Solid State Drive) instead of the HDD 40.

[0042] The wireless communication unit 11 and the broadcast receiving unit 12 are included in the receiving unit 10 shown in FIG. 2. The erasure unit 21, the recording unit 22, the recording reservation unit 23, the broadcast viewing unit 24, and the recording playback unit 25 are included in the processing unit 20 shown in FIG. 2. The recording DB 31, the program information DB 32, and the reservation management DB 33 are stored in the storage unit 30 shown in FIG. 2.

[0043] The recording DB 31 is a database of recorded programs. In the recording DB 31, for each program, a content file name, a program title, a genre, a start time, an end time, a content length, and the like are registered.

[0044] The program information DB 32 is a database of broadcast programs. In the program information DB 32, as program information, an event information table (EIT) acquired from a stream by the broadcast receiving unit 12 and a program schedule based on an EPG created using the EIT and the like are registered. Since the EIT is periodically acquired by the broadcast receiving unit 12, the program information DB 32 is periodically updated.

[0045] The reservation management DB 33 is a database of reserved programs. In the reservation management DB 33, for each program, a program title, a program start time, a program end time, and the like are registered.

[0046] The wireless communication unit 11 performs wireless communication with external devices such as a remote controller 50, a wireless keyboard (not shown), and wireless headphones (not shown) in accordance with the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard.

[0047] As an example, the remote control operation unit 51 in the remote controller 50 receives an operation from the user of the broadcast receiving apparatus 101, generates an operation signal based on the received operation, and transmits the operation signal to the broadcast receiving apparatus 101 in accordance with the Bluetooth standard. The wireless communication unit 11 receives the operation signal from the remote control operation unit 51, and outputs operation information indicating the user's operation included in the received operation signal to the erasure unit 21, the recording unit 22, the recording reservation unit 23, the broadcast viewing unit 24, and the recording playback unit 25.

[0048] The broadcast receiving unit 12 receives a stream via a network or via an antenna. That is, the broadcast receiving unit 12 acquires broadcast packets constituting the stream via a network or via an antenna. The broadcast receiving unit 12 stores the acquired broadcast packets in the storage unit 30. The broadcast packets are, for example, IP packets including TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) packets.

[0049] The recording reservation unit 23 refers to the program schedule registered in the program information DB 32 in accordance with the operation information received from the wireless communication unit 11, and registers information regarding the program indicated by the operation information in the reservation management DB 33.

[0050] The recording reservation unit 23 refers to the reservation management DB 33, and outputs a recording instruction to the recording unit 22 in accordance with the start time of the program.

[0051] The recording unit 22 records the program indicated by the operation information in accordance with the operation information received from the wireless communication unit 11. Also, the recording unit 22 records the program indicated by the recording instruction in accordance with the recording instruction received from the recording reservation unit 23. More specifically, the recording unit 22 controls the broadcast reception unit 12 in accordance with the operation information or the recording instruction, acquires the broadcast packet corresponding to the program indicated by the operation information or the recording instruction, stores it as a content file in the HDD 40, and registers the recording information regarding the program in the recording DB 31.

[0052] The broadcast viewing unit 24 plays back the broadcast program. More specifically, the broadcast viewing unit 24 controls the broadcast reception unit 12 in accordance with the operation information received from the wireless communication unit 11, acquires the broadcast packet corresponding to the program indicated by the operation information, performs a process of playing back the content using the information included in the acquired broadcast packet, and transmits the obtained video information, audio information, etc. to the display device 2.

[0053] The recording and playback unit 25 plays back the recorded program. More specifically, the recording and playback unit 25 acquires the broadcast packet corresponding to the program indicated by the operation information from the HDD 40 in accordance with the operation information received from the wireless communication unit 11. Then, the recording and playback unit 25 performs a process of playing back the content using the information included in the acquired broadcast packet, and transmits the obtained video information, audio information, etc. to the display device 2.

[0054] The deletion unit 21 deletes the broadcast packet corresponding to the program indicated by the operation information from the HDD 40 in accordance with the operation information received from the wireless communication unit 11, and deletes the recording information regarding the program from the recording DB 31.

[0055] [Problem] A technology that can more easily set the operation of the broadcast receiving device 101 is desired. More specifically, the occurrence status of failures and abnormalities in the broadcast receiving device 101 may only be found after starting the operation of the broadcast receiving device 101 at the user's home. Therefore, in order to collect the status information C useful for analyzing the cause of the abnormality in the broadcast receiving device 101, a technology that can set the acquisition timing of the status information C in the broadcast receiving device 101 installed at the user's home from the server 201 side without requiring an update of the firmware of the broadcast receiving device 101 is desired.

[0056] For example, when setting the operation of the broadcast receiving device 101 using the technology described in Non-Patent Document 1, it is necessary to construct a dedicated server such as an ACS (Auto Configuration Server), which increases the cost.

[0057] Also, in the technology described in Non-Patent Document 1, since it is necessary to maintain a communication connection between the server and a large number of more than tens of thousands of broadcast receiving devices 101, the network load increases.

[0058] Furthermore, in the technology described in Non-Patent Document 1, since it is a push method that requests the establishment of a communication connection from the server to the broadcast receiving device 101, it is necessary to open the communication port of the broadcast receiving device 101 to cross NAT (Network Address Translation), which causes a security risk.

[0059] Therefore, the management system 301 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure solves the above problems with the following configuration.

[0060] <Processing Unit> FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of a processing unit in a broadcast receiving device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 4, the processing unit 20 in the broadcast receiving device 101 includes a communication unit 61, a control unit 62, and an acquisition unit 63. The acquisition unit 63 has a monitoring unit 63A and a storage unit 63B. The communication unit 61 is an example of a receiving unit and also an example of a transmitting unit.

[0061] (Communication connection) The communication unit 61 autonomously establishes a communication connection with the server 201 outside the broadcast receiving apparatus 101. That is, the communication unit 61 autonomously establishes a communication connection with the server 201 with respect to the server 201.

[0062] More specifically, the communication unit 61 transmits a connection request including the terminal ID of the broadcast receiving apparatus 101 to the server 201 via the network at a connection timing according to a predetermined connection period P1, for example. Note that the communication unit 61 may transmit a connection request to the server 201 at an irregular timing such as the timing when the broadcast receiving apparatus 101 is activated.

[0063] When the server 201 receives a connection request from the broadcast receiving apparatus 101, the server 201 transmits a connection response including the server ID of the server 201 to the broadcast receiving apparatus 101 via the network as a response to the received connection request.

[0064] The communication unit 61 receives a connection response from the server 201, acquires the server ID from the received connection response, and stores the acquired server ID in the storage unit 30 as the ID of the device to be connected. Thereby, a communication connection between the communication unit 61 and the server 201 is established.

[0065] (Setting information S) The communication unit 61 receives setting information S regarding the setting of the broadcast receiving apparatus 101 from the server 201 using the established communication connection. More specifically, when the communication unit 61 establishes a communication connection with the server 201, the communication unit 61 transmits a setting information request including the terminal ID of the broadcast receiving apparatus 101 to the server 201 via the network.

[0066] When the server 201 receives a setting information request from the broadcast receiving device 101 and there is setting information S to be transmitted to the broadcast receiving device 101, the server 201 transmits the setting information S to the broadcast receiving device 101 via the network. On the other hand, when there is no setting information S to be transmitted to the broadcast receiving device 101, the server 201 transmits a setting unnecessary notification to the broadcast receiving device 101 via the network.

[0067] When the communication unit 61 receives the setting information S or the setting unnecessary notification from the server 201, it disconnects the communication connection with the server 201. More specifically, the communication unit 61 transmits a disconnection request including the terminal ID of the broadcast receiving device 101 to the server 201 via the network.

[0068] When the server 201 receives a disconnection request from the broadcast receiving device 101, as a response to the received disconnection request, the server 201 transmits a disconnection response to the broadcast receiving device 101 via the network.

[0069] The communication unit 61 receives the disconnection response from the server 201 and deletes the server ID from the storage unit 30. Thereby, the communication connection between the communication unit 61 and the server 201 is disconnected.

[0070] For example, the communication unit 61 receives setting information S regarding the acquisition of the state information C from the server 201. More specifically, the communication unit 61 receives setting information S1 which is setting information S indicating the acquisition condition of the state information C, and setting information S2 which is setting information S indicating the type of information to be acquired as the state information C from the server 201.

[0071] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the acquisition condition indicated by the setting information S1 received by the communication unit in the broadcast receiving device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 5, the communication unit 61 receives setting information S1 from the server 201 indicating the correspondence relationship between the monitoring target, the threshold value, and the relational operator.

[0072] In the example shown in FIG. 5, the setting information S1 indicates that the acquisition condition of the state information C is satisfied when the model number of the display device 2 connected to the broadcast receiving device 101 is "A001", when an HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) authentication error occurs in the display device 2 connected to the broadcast receiving device 101, when the model number of the HDD 40 connected to the broadcast receiving device 101 is not "B001", when the temperature of the housing of the broadcast receiving device 101 is 120 degrees or higher, or when the recording of a program fails due to an access abnormality to the HDD 40.

[0073] Further, the communication unit 61 should receive, for example, from the server 201 the setting information S2 indicating that the terminal log indicating the state of the broadcast receiving device 101, the memory usage amount in the broadcast receiving device 101, the individual information of the devices connected to the broadcast receiving device 101, and the connection device log indicating the state of the devices connected to the broadcast receiving device 101 should be acquired as the state information C. The terminal log is an operation log indicating that a program is being recorded, a program is being played back, and the standby state, etc. The connection device log is an operation log indicating that it is in the startup state and the standby state, etc.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 4 again, when the communication unit 61 receives the setting information S1 and S2 from the server 201, the communication unit 61 outputs the received setting information to the control unit 62 as S1 and S2.

[0075] The control unit 62 controls the operation in the broadcast receiving device 101 based on the setting information S1 and S2 received by the communication unit 61. For example, the control unit 62 controls the operation of the acquisition unit 63 based on the setting information S1 and S2. That is, the control unit 62 sets the operation of the acquisition unit 63 based on the setting information S1 and S2. More specifically, the control unit 62 outputs a setting instruction including the setting information S1 and S2 to the acquisition unit 63.

[0076] (Acquisition of State Information C) The acquisition unit 63 acquires the status information C. For example, upon receiving a setting instruction from the control unit 62, the acquisition unit 63 acquires the status information C according to the setting information S1, S2 included in the received setting instruction.

[0077] More specifically, the monitoring unit 63A in the acquisition unit 63 monitors each unit in the broadcast receiving apparatus 101 and the devices connected to the broadcast receiving apparatus 101. When the monitoring unit 63A detects the occurrence of an event that satisfies the acquisition condition indicated by the setting information S1, the monitoring unit 63A outputs an acquisition instruction to the storage unit 63B.

[0078] When receiving the acquisition instruction from the monitoring unit 63A, the storage unit 63B acquires information of the type indicated by the setting information S2 as the status information C. The storage unit 63B generates log information including the acquired status information C, the acquisition time of the status information C, and the terminal ID of the broadcast receiving apparatus 101, and stores the generated log information in the storage unit 30.

[0079] Note that the storage unit 63B may store the log information in the HDD 40 instead of the storage unit 30, or may store the log information in a USB memory connected to the broadcast receiving apparatus 101.

[0080] (Transmission of Status Information C) The communication unit 61 transmits the status information C acquired by the acquisition unit 63 to the server 201. For example, at a transmission timing according to a predetermined transmission period P2, the communication unit 61 autonomously establishes a communication connection with the server 201 according to the above-described procedure. The transmission period P2 may be longer than the above-described connection period P1, may be shorter than the connection period P1, or may be the same as the connection period P1. The connection timing according to the connection period P1 and the transmission timing according to the transmission period P2 may overlap or may be different. Then, the communication unit 61 acquires the log information from the storage unit 30, and transmits the acquired log information to the server 201 via the network using the established communication connection.

[0081] When the transmission of the log information is completed, the communication unit 61 disconnects the communication connection with the server 201 according to the above-described procedure.

[0082] <Server> FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a server according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 6, the server 201 includes a communication unit 71, a setting acquisition unit 72, a generation unit 73, and a storage unit 74. The communication unit 71 is an example of a collection unit and also an example of a transmission unit. Part or all of the communication unit 71, the setting acquisition unit 72, and the generation unit 73 are realized by, for example, a processing circuit including one or more processors. The storage unit 74 is, for example, a non-volatile memory included in the above processing circuit.

[0083] When the broadcast receiving apparatus 101 is installed at a user's home, it transmits initial setting information including a terminal ID to the server 201 via a network. When the communication unit 71 in the server 201 receives the initial setting information from the broadcast receiving apparatus 101, it acquires the terminal ID from the received initial setting information and registers the acquired terminal ID in the storage unit 74.

[0084] The communication unit 71 establishes a communication connection with the broadcast receiving apparatus 101 in response to a request from the broadcast receiving apparatus 101. More specifically, when the communication unit 71 receives a connection request from the broadcast receiving apparatus 101 via the network, it acquires the terminal ID from the received connection request and stores the acquired terminal ID in the storage unit 74 as the ID of the destination device. Further, the communication unit 71 transmits a connection response including the server ID of the server 201 to the broadcast receiving apparatus 101 via the network as a response to the connection request received from the broadcast receiving apparatus 101.

[0085] Also, when the communication unit 71 receives a disconnection request from the broadcast receiving apparatus 101 via the network, it deletes the terminal ID of the broadcast receiving apparatus 101 from the storage unit 74. Further, the communication unit 71 transmits a disconnection response to the broadcast receiving apparatus 101 via the network as a response to the disconnection request received from the broadcast receiving apparatus 101.

[0086] The communication unit 71 collects the status information C from a plurality of broadcast receiving devices 101. More specifically, the communication unit 71 receives log information from the broadcast receiving device 101 via the network in a state where a communication connection with the broadcast receiving device 101 is established. The communication unit 71 stores the received log information in the storage unit 74.

[0087] The generation unit 73 generates statistical data of the status information C collected by the communication unit 71. More specifically, the generation unit 73, for example, receives an operation by the administrator of the server 201, acquires the log information collected by the communication unit 71 from the storage unit 74 during the target period specified by the administrator, and creates statistical data of the status information C included in the acquired log information.

[0088] For example, based on the log information acquired from the storage unit 74, the generation unit 73 identifies the broadcast receiving device 101 in which the abnormality has occurred during the target period for each abnormality that has occurred in the broadcast receiving device 101. Then, the generation unit 73 creates statistical data indicating the number of broadcast receiving devices 101 in which the abnormality has occurred during the target period. When the generation unit 73 creates statistical data, it performs a process of displaying the created statistical data on a display device (not shown).

[0089] In addition, the generation unit 73 analyzes the cause of the abnormality that has occurred in the broadcast receiving device 101 based on the log information acquired from the storage unit 74. More specifically, the generation unit 73, based on the log information, for each abnormality that has occurred in the broadcast receiving device 101, analyzes the status information C in the broadcast receiving device 101 in which the abnormality has occurred during the target period and the status information C in the broadcast receiving device 101 in which the abnormality has not occurred during the target period using a machine learning method such as LightGBM (Gradient Boosting Machine). Then, the generation unit 73 performs a process of displaying the analysis result of the cause of the abnormality on a display device (not shown).

[0090] The setting acquisition unit 72 acquires setting information S regarding the settings of the broadcast receiving device 101. For example, the setting acquisition unit 72 acquires setting information S regarding the acquisition of the status information C.

[0091] More specifically, based on statistical data and analysis results, etc., of the status information C of the broadcast receiving device 101 collected in advance, the administrator of the server 201 identifies a broadcast receiving device 101 different from the broadcast receiving device 101 that requires a setting change, and determines the content of the setting change for the identified broadcast receiving device 101. Then, the administrator provides the terminal ID of the broadcast receiving device 101 that requires a setting change, and setting information S indicating the content of the setting change for the broadcast receiving device 101 to the server 201 via an interface such as a GUI (Graphical User Interface), a web server, a switch, and a keyboard, or a network.

[0092] The setting acquisition unit 72 receives the terminal ID and the setting information S from the administrator of the server 201, and stores the received terminal ID and the setting information S in the storage unit 74 in association with each other.

[0093] The communication unit 71 transmits the setting information S acquired from the setting acquisition unit 72 to the broadcast receiving device 101. More specifically, when the communication unit 71 receives a setting information request from the broadcast receiving device 101 via the network in a state where a communication connection with the broadcast receiving device 101 is established, the communication unit 71 acquires the terminal ID from the received terminal request information.

[0094] If the setting information S corresponding to the acquired terminal ID is not stored in the storage unit 74, the communication unit 71 transmits a setting not required notice to the broadcast receiving device 101 via the network as a response to the setting information request received from the broadcast receiving device 101.

[0095] On the one hand, when the setting information S corresponding to the acquired terminal ID is stored in the storage unit 74, the communication unit 71 acquires the setting information S from the storage unit 74. The communication unit 71 transmits the acquired setting information S to the broadcast receiving device 101 via the network as a response to the setting information request received from the broadcast receiving device 101. Thereby, the type and acquisition timing of the status information C acquired by the broadcast receiving device 101 installed at the user's home can be set from the server 201 side. Therefore, it is possible to acquire the status information C useful for analyzing the cause of the abnormality in the broadcast receiving device 101 and stop the acquisition of the status information C with low usefulness. Note that the communication unit 71 may be configured to transmit both the setting information S1 and S2 to the broadcast receiving device 101, or may be configured not to transmit either one of the setting information S1 and S2.

[0096] Note that the setting acquisition unit 72 may accept the area to which a plurality of broadcast receiving devices 101 that need to have their settings changed belong, or the manufacturing lot number of a plurality of broadcast receiving devices 101 that need to have their settings changed, instead of the terminal ID of the broadcast receiving device 101 that needs to have its settings changed.

[0097] Also, the setting acquisition unit 72 may be configured to create the setting information S instead of accepting the setting information S from the administrator of the server 201. More specifically, based on the statistical data and analysis results generated by the generation unit 73, for each abnormality that has occurred in the broadcast receiving device 101, the setting acquisition unit 72 specifies the type and acquisition timing of the status information C useful for analyzing the cause of the abnormality. In addition, the setting acquisition unit 72 performs a classification process for classifying the broadcast receiving device 101 based on the area where the broadcast receiving device 101 is installed, the manufacturing lot number of the broadcast receiving device 101, and the operating status of the broadcast receiving device 101. The setting acquisition unit 72 generates setting information S indicating the broadcast receiving device 101 that needs to have its settings changed and the content of the setting change for the broadcast receiving device 101 based on the specified type and acquisition timing of the status information C and the result of the classification process.

[0098] [Flow of operation] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence of setting changes in the management system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0099] Referring to FIG. 7, first, the server 201 receives, from the administrator of the server 201, the terminal ID of the broadcast receiving device 101 that needs to make a setting change, and setting information S indicating the content of the setting change of the broadcast receiving device 101 (step S11).

[0100] Next, the broadcast receiving device 101 autonomously establishes a communication connection with the server 201. More specifically, the broadcast receiving device 101 transmits a connection request to the server 201 at a connection timing according to a predetermined connection period (step S12).

[0101] Next, the server 201 establishes a communication connection with the broadcast receiving device 101 in response to the request from the broadcast receiving device 101. More specifically, the server 201 transmits a connection response to the broadcast receiving device 101 as a response to the connection request (step S13).

[0102] Next, the broadcast receiving device 101 transmits a setting information request to the server 201 (step S14).

[0103] Next, the server 201 transmits the setting information S received from the administrator to the broadcast receiving device 101 (step S15).

[0104] Next, when the broadcast receiving device 101 receives the setting information S from the server 201, it transmits a disconnection request to the server 201 (step S16).

[0105] Next, the server 201 transmits a disconnection response to the broadcast receiving device 101 as a response to the disconnection request (step S17).

[0106] Next, the broadcast receiving device 101 controls the operation in the broadcast receiving device 101 based on the setting information S received from the server 201. More specifically, the broadcast receiving device 101 performs setting of an operation to acquire the state information C based on the setting information S (step S18).

[0107] Next, the broadcast receiving apparatus 101 autonomously establishes a communication connection with the server 201 at a transmission timing according to the transmission period P2 (step S19).

[0108] Next, the broadcast receiving apparatus 101 transmits log information including the status information C to the server 201 using the established communication connection (step S20).

[0109] Next, the broadcast receiving apparatus 101 disconnects the communication connection with the server 201 (step S21).

[0110] Next, for example, in response to an operation by the administrator of the server 201, the server 201 creates statistical data of the status information C included in the log information received from the broadcast receiving apparatus 101, and performs a process of displaying the created statistical data on a display device (not shown) (step S22).

[0111] Note that in the broadcast receiving apparatus 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication unit 61 is configured to receive the setting information S regarding the acquisition of the status information C from the server 201, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The communication unit 61 may be configured to receive the setting information S regarding other operations other than the acquisition of the status information C from the server 201.

[0112] Also, in the broadcast receiving apparatus 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication unit 61 is configured to receive the setting information S1, S2 from the server 201, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Instead of the setting information S1, S2, the communication unit 61 may be configured to receive, for example, the setting information S indicating the necessity of acquiring the status information C from the server 201.

[0113] Also, in the broadcast receiving apparatus 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, although the communication unit 61 is configured to transmit log information to the server 201, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The communication unit 61 may be configured to transmit log information to a device other than the server 201. Further, the communication unit 61 may be configured not to transmit log information. When the communication unit 61 does not transmit log information, for example, the manufacturer of the broadcast receiving apparatus 101 acquires log information from the storage unit 30 in the broadcast receiving apparatus 101 sent back by the user.

[0114] The above embodiment should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description but by the claims, and it is intended that all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims be included.

[0115] Each process (each function) of the above-described embodiment is realized by a processing circuit including one or more processors. The above processing circuit may be configured by, in addition to the one or more processors, an integrated circuit in which one or more memories, various analog circuits, and various digital circuits are combined. The one or more memories store a program (instruction) for causing the one or more processors to execute each of the above processes. The one or more processors may execute each of the above processes according to the program read from the one or more memories, or may execute each of the above processes according to a logic circuit designed in advance to execute each of the above processes. The processor may be various processors suitable for computer control, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). Note that the plurality of physically separated processors may cooperate with each other to execute each of the above processes. For example, the processors mounted on each of a plurality of physically separated computers may cooperate with each other via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), and the Internet to execute each of the above processes. The program may be installed in the memory via the network from an external server device or the like, or may be distributed in a state stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk Read Only Memory), and a semiconductor memory, and may be installed in the memory from the recording medium.

[0116] The above description includes the features appended below. [Appendix 1] A broadcast receiving apparatus, A receiving unit that autonomously establishes a communication connection with a management device outside the broadcast receiving device and receives setting information regarding the settings of the broadcast receiving device from the management device; A control unit that controls the operation of the broadcast receiving device based on the setting information received by the receiving unit; After receiving the setting information from the management device, the receiving unit disconnects the communication connection with the management device; The receiving unit periodically or irregularly performs a process of establishing a communication connection with the management device. A broadcast receiving device.

[0117] [Appendix 2] A broadcast receiving device, Comprising a processing circuit, The processing circuit, Autonomously establishes a communication connection with a management device outside the broadcast receiving device, receives setting information regarding the settings of the broadcast receiving device from the management device, A broadcast receiving device that controls the operation of the broadcast receiving device based on the received setting information.

Explanation of Signs

[0118] 2 Display device 10 Receiving unit 11 Wireless communication unit 12 Broadcast receiving unit 20 Processing unit 21 Erasing unit 22 Recording unit 23 Recording reservation unit 24 Broadcast viewing unit 25 Recording playback unit 30 Storage unit 31 Recording DB 32 Program information DB 33 Reservation management DB 40 HDD 50 Remote control 51 Remote control operation unit 61 Communication unit 62 Control unit 63 Acquisition unit 63A Monitoring unit 63B Storage unit 71 Communication unit 72 Setting acquisition unit 73 Generation unit 74 Memory unit 101 Broadcast receiving device 201 Server 301 Management system S1 Setting information

Claims

1. A broadcast receiving apparatus, a receiving unit that autonomously establishes a communication connection with a management apparatus outside the broadcast receiving apparatus and receives setting information regarding the settings of the broadcast receiving apparatus from the management apparatus; and a control unit that controls the operation of the broadcast receiving apparatus based on the setting information received by the receiving unit.

2. The broadcast receiving apparatus further includes an acquisition unit that acquires state information indicating the state of at least one of the broadcast receiving apparatus and devices connected to the broadcast receiving apparatus, the receiving unit receives the setting information regarding the acquisition of the state information from the management apparatus, and the control unit controls the operation of the acquisition unit based on the setting information. The broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The receiving unit receives the setting information indicating at least one of the acquisition condition of the state information and the type of information to be acquired as the state information from the management apparatus. The broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The broadcast receiving apparatus further includes a transmission unit that transmits the state information acquired by the acquisition unit to a device outside the broadcast receiving apparatus. The broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3.

5. a setting acquisition unit that acquires setting information regarding the settings of the broadcast receiving apparatus; and a transmission unit that establishes a communication connection with the broadcast receiving apparatus in response to a request from the broadcast receiving apparatus and transmits the setting information acquired by the setting acquisition unit to the broadcast receiving apparatus.

6. The setting acquisition unit acquires the setting information regarding the acquisition of state information indicating the state of at least one of the broadcast receiving apparatus and devices connected to the broadcast receiving apparatus. The management apparatus according to claim 5.

7. The management apparatus further includes a collection unit that collects the state information from a plurality of the broadcast receiving apparatuses; and a generation unit that generates statistical data of the state information collected by the collection unit. The management apparatus according to claim 6.

8. A control method in a broadcast receiving apparatus, the method including: autonomously establishing a communication connection with a management apparatus outside the broadcast receiving apparatus and receiving setting information regarding the settings of the broadcast receiving apparatus from the management apparatus; and controlling the operation of the broadcast receiving apparatus based on the received setting information.

9. A management method in a management apparatus, A step of obtaining setting information regarding the setting of the broadcast receiving apparatus, A management method including a step of establishing a communication connection with the broadcast receiving apparatus in response to a request from the broadcast receiving apparatus and transmitting the obtained setting information to the broadcast receiving apparatus.

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