Factor analysis device and factor analysis method

Abstract

To more finely analyze states of content receivers.SOLUTION: A factor analysis device includes: an acquisition part for acquiring first operation data indicating each operation state of a plurality of first content receivers; and an analysis part for analyzing such an occurrence factor that a predetermined event occurs in the first content receivers, on the basis of the first operation data acquired by the acquisition part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a factor analysis device and a factor analysis method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, techniques for monitoring the reception status of content in a content viewing device have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 (JP 2022-60849 A) ​​discloses the following content viewing device. That is, the content viewing device is a content viewing device that receives content information related to content, and includes an acquisition unit that acquires reception information indicating the reception status of the content information in the content viewing device and region information that can identify the region in which the content viewing device is installed, and a transmission processing unit that transmits the reception information and the region information acquired by the acquisition unit to another device external to the content viewing device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-60849 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is a need for a technology that goes beyond the technology described in Patent Document 1 and that is capable of implementing effective measures against events that occur in content receiving devices.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a factor analysis device and a factor analysis method that can take effective measures against events that occur in a content receiving device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The factor analysis device of the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit that acquires first operational data indicating the operational state of each of a plurality of first content receiving devices, and an analysis unit that analyzes the cause of a predetermined event occurring in the first content receiving device based on the first operational data acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure may be realized not only as a factor analysis device including such a characteristic processing unit, but also as a program for causing a computer to execute the steps of such characteristic processing. Furthermore, one aspect of the present disclosure may be realized as a semiconductor integrated circuit that realizes part or all of the factor analysis device, or as a system including the factor analysis device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to take effective measures against events that occur in a content receiving device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an outline of the configuration of a content receiving device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a content processing unit in a content receiving device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a data transmission unit in a content receiving device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of operation data created by a processing unit in a management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a scatter diagram created by a processing unit in a management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a scatter diagram of the first principal component and the second principal component created by the processing unit in the management device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an operation state of a content receiving device corresponding to a cluster classified by a processing unit in a management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operating state of a content receiving device corresponding to a cluster classified by a processing unit in a management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an operation state of a content receiving device corresponding to a cluster classified by a processing unit in a management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an operating state of a content receiving device corresponding to a cluster classified by a processing unit in a management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an operation state of a content receiving device corresponding to a cluster classified by a processing unit in a management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an operation state of a content receiving device corresponding to a cluster classified by a processing unit in a management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an operation state of a content receiving device corresponding to a cluster classified by a processing unit in a management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an operation state of a content receiving device corresponding to a cluster classified by a processing unit in a management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a scatter plot of the first principal component and the second principal component created by the processing unit in the management device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 18]FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation procedure when the management device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure performs the cause analysis process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] First, the contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. (1) A factor analysis device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit that acquires first operational data indicating the operational status of each of a plurality of first content receiving devices, and an analysis unit that analyzes the cause of a predetermined event occurring in the first content receiving device based on the first operational data acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0011] In this way, by analyzing the cause of a predetermined event occurring in a content receiving device based on operation data indicating the operating state of the content receiving device, when an event such as a problem with content reception occurs, it is possible to take measures according to the cause of the event, compared to a configuration that simply identifies the content receiving device in which the event occurred, and therefore it is possible to take effective measures against the event occurring in the content receiving device.

[0012] (2) In the above (1), the analysis unit may determine that at least one of the multiple types of explanatory variables is the cause of the occurrence by a machine learning method using a target variable related to the specified event and multiple types of explanatory variables created based on the first behavioral data.

[0013] With this configuration, the influence of the explanatory variables on the objective variable can be analyzed in more detail, and the occurrence factors can be determined with higher accuracy.

[0014] (3) In the above (1) or (2), the factor analysis device may further include an extraction unit that extracts the first content receiving device among the plurality of first content receiving devices for which measures should be taken against the specified event by clustering parameters for each content receiving device created based on the analysis results by the analysis unit and the first operation data.

[0015] With this configuration, it is possible to narrow down the content receiving devices to which countermeasures against an event are to be taken, and therefore countermeasures against an event can be taken efficiently.

[0016] (4) In any of (1) to (3) above, the acquisition unit may further acquire second operational data indicating the operational status of a second content receiving device that receives content from a distribution source different from the distribution source of the content received by the first content receiving device, and the factor analysis device may further include a determination unit that determines the need for measures against the specified event in the second content receiving device based on the analysis results by the analysis unit and the second operational data.

[0017] With this configuration, for example, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of the event by taking measures against the event in a second content receiving device that is located in a different area from the first content receiving device and in which the event has not yet occurred.

[0018] (5) A factor analysis method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a factor analysis method in a factor analysis device, and includes the steps of acquiring first operational data indicating the operational status of each of a plurality of first content receiving devices, and analyzing the cause of a predetermined event occurring in the first content receiving device based on the acquired first operational data.

[0019] In this way, by analyzing the cause of a predetermined event occurring in a content receiving device based on operation data indicating the operating state of the content receiving device, when an event such as a problem with content reception occurs, it is possible to take measures according to the cause of the event, compared to, for example, a method that simply identifies the content receiving device in which the event occurred, and therefore it is possible to take effective measures against the event occurring in the content receiving device.

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, identical or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will not be repeated. Furthermore, at least some of the embodiments described below may be combined in any manner.

[0021] [Configuration and basic operation] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1, a management system 401 includes a plurality of content receiving devices 101, a plurality of display devices 111, a management device 201, and a content transmitting device 301. The management device 201 is an example of a factor analysis device.

[0022] For example, the content transmission device 301 is installed in a station building 311 of a cable television operator Ca. The cable television operator Ca is an operator that distributes content such as programs.

[0023] The content receiving device 101 and the display device 111 are installed in a user's home in a target area Aa where a cable television operator Ca distributes content. The content receiving device 101 in the target area Aa is an example of a first content receiving device. The content receiving device 101 is, for example, a set-top box (STB). The content receiving device 101 is connected to the display device 111 via, for example, an HDMI (registered trademark) cable. The display device 111 is, for example, a television device.

[0024] The content transmitting device 301 transmits a broadcast signal including content to the content receiving device 101. More specifically, the content transmitting device 301 transmits the broadcast signal, which is a stream including content, to the content receiving device 101 via a network 151 such as an IP network or a cable television network. The broadcast signal includes, for example, audio information, video information, EPG (Electronic Program Guide) information, subtitle information, and SI (Service Information).

[0025] The content receiving device 101 is capable of receiving content via digital broadcasting and content via IP broadcasting such as VOD (Video On Demand), and recording and playing back the received content. The content receiving device 101 receives a broadcast signal from the content transmitting device 301 via the network 151, and plays back the content on a display device 111 connected to the content receiving device 101. The display device 111 displays the content played back by the content receiving device 101 on a screen.

[0026] The management device 201 is, for example, a cloud server. However, the management device 201 may also be a standalone server. The management device 201 is capable of communicating with a plurality of content receiving devices 101 via the network 151, and receives various types of information from each content receiving device 101, for example.

[0027] <Content receiving device> FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an overview of the configuration of a content receiving device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Since each content receiving device 101 in the management system 401 has the same units, the configuration of one content receiving device 101 will be described below. Referring to FIG. 2, the content receiving device 101 includes a receiving unit 10, a content processing unit 20, a data transmitting unit 30, and a storage unit 40. Some or all of the functions of the receiving unit 10, the content processing unit 20, and the data transmitting unit 30 are realized by, for example, a processing circuit including one or more processors. The storage unit 40 is, for example, a non-volatile memory such as a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) included in the processing circuit.

[0028] The storage unit 40 stores a device ID, which is the ID of the content receiving device 101, and area information indicating the location of the user's home where the content receiving device 101 is installed. The storage unit 40 stores, for example, a postal code as the area information.

[0029] The receiving unit 10 receives content from the content transmitting device 301. More specifically, the receiving unit 10 receives a broadcast signal including the content via the network 151 and outputs the received broadcast signal to the content processing unit 20.

[0030] The content processing unit 20 acquires content from the broadcast signal received from the receiving unit 10 and stores the acquired content in the storage unit 40. The content processing unit 20 also performs processing to output the content. More specifically, the content processing unit 20 performs processing to play back the content using information stored in the storage unit 40, for example, and transmits the acquired video information, audio information, etc. to the display device 111.

[0031] 3 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of a content processing unit in a content receiving device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 3, content processing unit 20 includes an operation receiving unit 21, a viewing unit 22, a recording unit 23, and a recording / playback unit 24. Storage unit 40 includes a recording DB 41, a program information DB 42, and a reservation management DB 43.

[0032] The recording DB 41 is a database of recorded content. Hereinafter, recorded content will also be referred to as recorded content. The recording DB 41 registers the content file name, title, genre, start time, end time, content length, etc. of each recorded content.

[0033] The program information DB 42 is a database of broadcast programs. In the program information DB 42, program information such as an event information table (EIT) acquired from a broadcast signal by the receiving unit 10 and a program guide based on an EPG created using the EIT, etc. is registered. The receiving unit 10 periodically acquires the EIT, and the program information DB 42 is periodically updated.

[0034] The reservation management DB 43 is a database of reserved programs, and the program title, broadcast start time, broadcast end time, etc. of each program are registered in the reservation management DB 43.

[0035] For example, the content receiving device 101 is connected to a hard disk drive (HDD) 121 via a universal serial bus (USB) cable. The content receiving device 101 may be connected to a plurality of HDDs 121, or may be connected to a USB memory or a solid state drive (SSD) instead of the HDD 121.

[0036] The operation accepting unit 21 accepts user operations that are operations performed by the user of the content receiving device 101. More specifically, the operation accepting unit 21 receives an operation signal indicating the user operation from a remote control (not shown), and outputs operation information indicating the user operation to the viewing unit 22, the recording unit 23, and the recording / playback unit 24.

[0037] The viewing unit 22 acquires the content indicated by the operation information by controlling the receiving unit 10 in accordance with the operation information received from the operation accepting unit 21. The viewing unit 22 performs a process of playing the acquired content and transmits the acquired video information, audio information, etc. to the display device 111.

[0038] Recording unit 23 records content. More specifically, recording unit 23 receives operation information related to a recording reservation from operation reception unit 21, and in accordance with the received operation information, refers to the program guide registered in program information DB 42 and registers information related to the program to be reserved for recording in reservation management DB 43. Recording unit 23 refers to reservation management DB 43 and records the program, i.e., the content, in accordance with the start time of the program.

[0039] Specifically, the recording unit 23 controls the receiving unit 10 to acquire content from a broadcast signal including the content to be recorded. The recording unit 23 stores the acquired content as recorded content in the HDD 121, and registers identification information of the recorded content in the recording DB 41. Note that the recording unit 23 may store the recorded content in an HDD built into the content receiving device 101, instead of the external HDD 121. The recording unit 23 may also receive operation information related to recording of a program currently being broadcast from the operation receiving unit 21, and record the content in accordance with the received operation information.

[0040] Furthermore, the recording unit 23 erases the recorded content. More specifically, the recording unit 23 receives operation information relating to erasure of the recorded content from the operation accepting unit 21, erases the recorded content indicated by the received operation information from the HDD 121, and erases the identification information of the recorded content from the recording DB 41.

[0041] The recording / playback unit 24 plays back the recorded content. More specifically, the recording / playback unit 24 receives operation information related to the playback of the recorded content from the operation reception unit 21, and acquires the recorded content indicated by the received operation information from the HDD 121. The recording / playback unit 24 then performs a process to play back the acquired recorded content, and transmits the acquired video information, audio information, etc. to the display device 111.

[0042] 4 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a data transmission unit in the content receiving device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 4, data transmission unit 30 includes an operation information acquisition unit 31 and a transmission unit 32.

[0043] The operation information acquisition unit 31 generates operation information indicating the operation state of the content receiving device 101 by monitoring the receiving unit 10 and the content processing unit 20 periodically or irregularly.

[0044] The operation information acquisition unit 31 acquires, as operation information, the start time of reception of the broadcast signal by the receiving unit 10, the end time of reception of the broadcast signal by the receiving unit 10, the modulation method of the broadcast signal received by the receiving unit 10, the tuner number of the tuner used to receive the broadcast signal by the receiving unit 10, information indicating whether the reason for receiving the broadcast signal by the receiving unit 10 is broadcast viewing or recording, the frequency of the broadcast signal received by the receiving unit 10, the C / N (Carrier to Noise) value of the broadcast signal received by the receiving unit 10, the signal level of the broadcast signal received by the receiving unit 10, the BER (Bit Error Rate) of the broadcast signal received by the receiving unit 10, and the temperature of the content receiving device 101. The operation information acquisition unit 31 stores the acquired operation information in the storage unit 40.

[0045] The transmitter 32 transmits the motion information acquired by the motion information acquirer 31 to the management device 201. For example, the transmitter 32 acquires untransmitted motion information, a device ID, and area information from the storage unit 40 at a transmission timing according to a predetermined transmission cycle Pt, and creates motion data BD1 including the acquired motion information, device ID, and area information. The transmitter 32 transmits the created motion data BD1 to the management device 201 via the network 151. The transmission cycle Pt is, for example, one day. The motion data BD1 transmitted by the content receiving device 101 in the target area Aa is an example of first motion data.

[0046] <Management device> FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 5, management device 201 includes an acquisition unit 51, a processing unit 52, and a storage unit 53. Processing unit 52 is an example of an analysis unit, an extraction unit, and an assessment unit. Some or all of the functions of acquisition unit 51 and processing unit 52 are implemented by, for example, a processing circuit including one or more processors. Storage unit 53 is, for example, a non-volatile memory included in the processing circuit.

[0047] The acquisition unit 51 acquires operation data BD1 indicating the operation state of each of the plurality of content receiving devices 11. More specifically, the acquisition unit 51 receives the operation data BD1 from each content receiving device 101 in the target area Aa via the network 151, and stores the received operation data BD1 in the storage unit 53.

[0048] The processing unit 52 acquires the operation data BD1 from the storage unit 53 and tallyes the operation information of each content receiving device 101 based on the acquired operation data BD1. The processing unit 52 performs processing to display a screen including the tally result Sum of the operation information of each content receiving device 101 on a display device (not shown). For example, the processing unit 52 performs processing to display a map showing the C / N value for each area as the tally result Sum. Here, although the boundaries of areas demarcated by postal codes, which are regional information, do not strictly coincide with the boundaries of the content distribution area, the user can generally recognize areas with low C / N values ​​based on the map.

[0049] (Factor analysis processing) The processing unit 52 performs a cause analysis process to analyze the cause of a predetermined event occurring in the content receiving device 101, based on the operation data BD1 acquired by the acquisition unit 51. For example, in the cause analysis process, the processing unit 52 analyzes the cause of an event specified by the user of the management device 201.

[0050] More specifically, by referring to the aggregation result Sum displayed by the processing unit 52, the user of the management device 201 recognizes that a signal quality degradation event Pcn has occurred in multiple content receiving devices 101 in the target area Aa, in which the C / N value of a certain channel chX falls below the ARIB (Association of Radio Industries and Businesses) standard value.

[0051] Furthermore, by referring to the aggregation result Sum displayed by the processing unit 52, the user of the management device 201 recognizes that when the C / N value of channel chX falls below the standard value, simultaneous reception of the broadcast signal of channel chX and the broadcast signal of a channel other than channel chX was occurring.

[0052] Then, the user of the management device 201 gives an instruction to analyze the signal quality degradation event Pcn and an instruction to process the operation data BD1 to the processing unit 52. Note that the user of the management device 201 may become aware that the signal quality degradation event Pcn has occurred by receiving a notice from a user of a content receiving device 101 in the target area Aa.

[0053] The processing unit 52 receives an analysis instruction and a processing instruction from a user of the management device 201. The processing unit 52 processes the operation data BD1 in the storage unit 53 in accordance with the received processing instruction. The processing unit 52 also analyzes the cause of the signal quality degradation event Pcn in accordance with the received analysis instruction.

[0054] 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of operation data created by a processing unit in a management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 6, processing unit 52 processes operation data BD1 in storage unit 53 in accordance with a processing instruction to create operation data BD2 indicating the operation status of each of the plurality of content receiving devices 101 during a predetermined aggregation period Ta. The length of aggregation period Ta may be one month or six months.

[0055] The operation data BD2 is data indicating the correspondence between the device ID, the tuner number, the reason for reception, the reception period, the signal level of the broadcast signal of channel chX during the reception period, the signal level of the broadcast signal of a channel other than channel chX during the reception period, the relative value RV of the signal level of the broadcast signal of channel chX during the reception period, and the C / N value of the broadcast signal of channel chX during the reception period.

[0056] The relative value RV is a value indicating the result of comparison between a representative value TV of the signal levels of broadcast signals of channels ch other than channel chX and the signal level of the broadcast signal of channel chX. The representative value TV is a statistical value such as the median and average of the signal levels of broadcast signals of channels ch other than channel chX. The relative value RV may be the difference obtained by subtracting the representative value TV from the signal level of the broadcast signal of channel chX, or may be a divisor obtained by dividing the signal level of the broadcast signal of channel chX by the representative value TV.

[0057] For example, the processing unit 52 uses a machine learning method that uses a target variable related to the signal quality degradation event Pcn and multiple types of explanatory variables created based on the operational data BD1 to determine that at least one of the multiple types of explanatory variables is a cause of the signal quality degradation event Pcn.

[0058] More specifically, the processing unit 52 uses the C / N value of the broadcast signal of channel chX in the operation data BD2 as a dependent variable and information other than the dependent variable in the operation data BD2 as an explanatory variable, and performs machine learning according to LightGBM (Light Gradient Boosting Machine) to create the C / N value prediction model Md. The processing unit 52 uses categorical variables such as the tuner number and reception reason, and continuous variables such as the signal level and relative value RV of the broadcast signal, as explanatory variables. The C / N value prediction model is a regression model that outputs a predicted result of the C / N value of the broadcast signal of channel chX in response to input of the explanatory variables in the operation data BD2. Note that the processing unit 52 may create the C / N value prediction model Md by performing machine learning according to another framework, such as XGBoost (eXtreme Gradient Boosting), instead of LightGBM.

[0059] After creating the C / N value prediction model Md, the processing unit 52 calculates the contribution Vc of the objective variable in the action data BD2 to the predicted result of the C / N value. The contribution Vc is, for example, a SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) value.

[0060] The processing unit 52 calculates the contribution Vc for each dependent variable, and, based on the calculated contribution Vc, identifies the dependent variable that has the highest correlation with the predicted C / N value result from among the multiple dependent variables used in creating the C / N value prediction model Md. The processing unit 52 determines that the identified dependent variable is the main cause of the signal quality degradation event Pcn. Note that the processing unit 52 may also identify multiple dependent variables that have a high correlation with the predicted C / N value result and determine that the identified multiple dependent variables are the cause of the signal quality degradation event Pcn.

[0061] 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a scatter diagram created by a processing unit in a management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which the horizontal axis represents the relative value RV and the vertical axis represents the contribution Vc of the relative value RV to the predicted result of the C / N value.

[0062] 7, for example, the processing unit 52 identifies the relative value RV as the objective variable having the highest correlation with the predicted result of the C / N value among the multiple objective variables in the operation data BD2. The processing unit 52 creates a scatter diagram S1 showing the correspondence relationship between the relative value RV and the contribution Vc. The processing unit 52 then performs processing to display the analysis result indicating that the relative value RV is the cause of the signal quality degradation event Pcn and the created scatter diagram S1 on a display device (not shown).

[0063] (Extraction process) When the processing unit 52 determines by performing a factor analysis process that the cause of the signal quality degradation event Pcn is the relative value RV, it performs an extraction process to extract content receiving devices 101 from among the multiple content receiving devices 101 in the target area Aa that should take measures against the signal quality degradation event Pcn.

[0064] More specifically, the processing unit 52 generates a parameter Pmt for each content receiving device 101 based on the analysis result of the cause of the signal quality degradation event Pcn and the operation data BD1. As an example, a user of the management device 201 gives an instruction to the processing unit 52 to generate the parameter Pmt. In accordance with the generation instruction from the user of the management device 201, the processing unit 52 generates a first principal component PC1 and a second principal component PC2 of the signal level for each content receiving device 101 by dimensionally compressing the signal levels of each simultaneously received channel based on the operation data BD2. The first principal component PC1 and the second principal component PC2 are examples of the parameter Pmt.

[0065] The processing unit 52 performs clustering on the first principal component PC1 and the second principal component PC2 created for each content receiving device 101, thereby extracting content receiving devices 101 for which measures against the signal quality degradation event Pcn should be taken.

[0066] 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a scatter plot of the first and second principal components created by the processing unit of the management device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 8, the horizontal axis represents the first principal component PC1, and the vertical axis represents the second principal component PC2.

[0067] 8, the processing unit 52 classifies the created set of the first principal component PC1 and the second principal component PC2 into clusters, the number of which is specified by, for example, the user of the management device 201. As an example, the processing unit 52 classifies the set of the first principal component PC1 and the second principal component PC2 into a cluster CL1 to which the plots indicated by squares belong, a cluster CL2 to which the plots indicated by circles belong, a cluster CL3 to which the plots indicated by stars belong, and a cluster CL4 to which the plots indicated by triangles belong.

[0068] 9 and 10 are diagrams showing the operating states of content receiving devices corresponding to clusters classified by a processing unit in a management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the signal levels of broadcast signals of each channel in a content receiving device 101 corresponding to cluster CL1. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the rate of signal quality deterioration of broadcast signals of each channel in a content receiving device 101 corresponding to cluster CL1. In FIGS. 9 and 10, the horizontal axis represents the channel frequency, with higher frequencies on the right. In FIG. 9, the vertical axis represents the representative value of the signal level. In FIG. 10, the vertical axis represents the rate Ra at which the C / N value of the broadcast signal falls below the standard value.

[0069] 9 and 10, in the content receiving device 101 corresponding to the cluster CL1, the channel chX has a higher signal level and a lower ratio Ra than the other channels. Therefore, the processing unit 52 determines that it is not necessary to take measures against the signal quality degradation event Pcn for the content receiving device 101 corresponding to the cluster CL1.

[0070] 11 and 12 are diagrams showing the operating states of content receiving devices corresponding to clusters classified by a processing unit in a management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the signal levels of broadcast signals of each channel in a content receiving device 101 corresponding to cluster CL2. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing the rate of signal quality deterioration of broadcast signals of each channel in a content receiving device 101 corresponding to cluster CL2. Figs. 11 and 12 can be interpreted in the same way as Figs. 9 and 10.

[0071] 11 and 12, in the content receiving device 101 corresponding to cluster CL2, the signal level and ratio Ra of channel chX are equivalent to those of the other channels. Therefore, the processing unit 52 determines that it is not necessary to take measures against the signal quality degradation event Pcn for the content receiving device 101 corresponding to cluster CL2.

[0072] 13 and 14 are diagrams showing the operating states of content receiving devices corresponding to clusters classified by a processing unit in a management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing the signal levels of broadcast signals of each channel in a content receiving device 101 corresponding to cluster CL3. Fig. 14 is a diagram showing the rate of signal quality deterioration of broadcast signals of each channel in a content receiving device 101 corresponding to cluster CL3. Figs. 13 and 14 can be interpreted in the same way as Figs. 9 and 10.

[0073] 13 and 14, in the content receiving device 101 corresponding to cluster CL3, the signal level of channel chX is slightly lower than that of the other channels, and the ratio Ra is significantly higher. Therefore, the processing unit 52 determines that it is necessary to take measures against the signal quality degradation event Pcn for the content receiving device 101 corresponding to cluster CL3.

[0074] 15 and 16 are diagrams showing the operating states of content receiving devices corresponding to clusters classified by a processing unit in a management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 15 is a diagram showing the signal levels of broadcast signals of each channel in a content receiving device 101 corresponding to cluster CL4. Fig. 16 is a diagram showing the rate of signal quality deterioration of broadcast signals of each channel in a content receiving device 101 corresponding to cluster CL4. Figs. 15 and 16 can be interpreted in the same way as Figs. 9 and 10.

[0075] 15 and 16, in the content receiving device 101 corresponding to cluster CL6, the signal level of channel chX is slightly lower than that of the other channels, and the ratio Ra is significantly higher. Therefore, the processing unit 52 determines that it is necessary to take measures against the signal quality degradation event Pcn for the content receiving device 101 corresponding to cluster CL4.

[0076] The processing unit 52 extracts the device IDs of the content receiving devices 101 corresponding to the clusters CL3 and CL4 for which it has determined that measures need to be taken against the signal quality degradation event Pcn, and performs processing to display a list Lst of the extracted device IDs on a display device not shown.

[0077] The user of the management device 201 refers to the list Lst displayed by the processing unit 52 and takes measures such as replacing the content receiving device 101 with the device ID listed in the list Lst or updating the software on the content receiving device 101.

[0078] (Measures in other regions) For example, cable television operators Cb and Cc, which are different from cable television operator Ca, distribute content to target areas Ab and Ac, which are different from target area Aa.

[0079] The content receiving devices 101 installed in user homes in the target areas Ab and Ac receive content from a distribution source different from the distribution source of the content received by the content receiving device 101 in the target area Aa. More specifically, the content receiving device 101b, which is a content receiving device 101 installed in a user home in the target area Ab, receives content from a content transmission device of the cable television operator Cb. Furthermore, the content receiving device 101c, which is a content receiving device 101 installed in a user home in the target area Ac, receives content from a content transmission device of the cable television operator Cc. The content receiving devices 101b and 101c are examples of second content receiving devices.

[0080] The content receiving device 101b transmits operation data BD1b, which is operation data BD1 indicating the operation state of the content receiving device 101b, to the management device 201. The content receiving device 101c transmits operation data BD1c, which is operation data BD1 indicating the operation state of the content receiving device 101c, to the management device 201. The operation data BD1b and BD1c are examples of second operation data.

[0081] 5, the acquisition unit 51 acquires operation data BD1b and BD1c indicating the operation states of the content receiving devices 101b and 101c, respectively. More specifically, the acquisition unit 51 receives the operation data BD1b from the content receiving device 101b via the network and stores the received operation data BD1b in the storage unit 53. The acquisition unit 51 also receives the operation data BD1c from the content receiving device 101c via the network and stores the received operation data BD1c in the storage unit 53.

[0082] The processing unit 52 determines the necessity of measures to address the signal quality degradation event Pcn in the content receiving devices 101b and 101c based on the analysis results of the cause of the signal quality degradation event Pcn and the operation data BD1b and BD1c.

[0083] More specifically, the processing unit 52 processes the action data BD1b in the storage unit 53 in accordance with the processing instructions described above to create action data BD2b, which is action data BD2 indicating the action state of the content receiving device 101b during a predetermined aggregation period Tb. Furthermore, the processing unit 52 processes the action data BD1c in the storage unit 53 in accordance with the processing instructions described above to create action data BD2c, which is action data BD2 indicating the action state of the content receiving device 101c during a predetermined aggregation period Tc. The aggregation periods Tb and Tc may be the same as or different from the aggregation period Ta.

[0084] The processing unit 52 performs dimensional compression on the signal levels of the simultaneously received channels based on the operation data BD2b and BD2c, thereby creating a first principal component PC1 and a second principal component PC2 of the signal levels of each of the content receiving devices 101b and 101c.

[0085] 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a scatter plot of the first and second principal components created by a processing unit in a management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 17, the horizontal axis represents the first principal component PC1, and the vertical axis represents the second principal component PC2. In FIG. 17, plot P1 represents the set of the first and second principal components PC1 and PC2 of the signal levels of each channel in the content receiving device 101 extracted in the extraction process described above. Plot Pb represents the set of the first and second principal components PC1 and PC2 of the signal levels of each channel in the content receiving device 101b. Plot Pc represents the set of the first and second principal components PC1 and PC2 of the signal levels of each channel in the content receiving device 101c.

[0086] Referring to FIG. 17, the processing unit 52 calculates the Euclidean distance Lb between the plot P1 and the plot Pb, and the Euclidean distance Lc between the plot P1 and the plot Pc in the two-dimensional coordinates of the first principal component PC1 and the second principal component PC2.

[0087] The processing unit 52 compares the calculated Euclidean distances Lb and Lc with a predetermined threshold Th1. For example, if the Euclidean distance Lb is equal to or greater than the threshold Th1, the processing unit 52 determines that the content receiving device 101b does not need to take measures against the signal quality degradation event Pcn. For example, if the Euclidean distance Lc is less than the threshold Th1, the processing unit 52 determines that the content receiving device 101c needs to take measures against the signal quality degradation event Pcn.

[0088] The processing unit 52 performs processing to display the result of the determination as to whether or not measures are required for the signal quality degradation event Pcn for the content receiving devices 101b and 101c on a display device (not shown).

[0089] The user of the management device 201 refers to the determination result displayed by the processing unit 52 and takes measures such as replacing the content receiving device 101c or updating the software in the content receiving device 101c.

[0090] Here, the Euclidean distance Lb indicates the degree of similarity between the signal level pattern of each channel in the content receiving device 101, which should take measures against the signal quality degradation event Pcn, and the signal level pattern of each channel in the content receiving device 101b. Also, the Euclidean distance Lc indicates the degree of similarity between the signal level pattern of each channel in the content receiving device 101, which should take measures against the signal quality degradation event Pcn, and the signal level pattern of each channel in the content receiving device 101c.

[0091] Therefore, by determining whether or not measures are necessary for the signal quality degradation event Pcn based on the Euclidean distances Lb and Lc, it is possible to more accurately determine whether or not measures are necessary for the signal quality degradation event Pcn based on the similarity of the signal level pattern with the content receiving device 101 extracted in the extraction process described above.

[0092] [Operation flow] FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation procedure when the management device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure performs the cause analysis process.

[0093] Referring to FIG. 18, first, the management device 201 receives the operation data BD1 from each content receiving device 101 in the target area Aa (step S11).

[0094] Next, the management device 201 processes the action data BD1 to create action data BD2 (step S12).

[0095] Next, the management device 201 creates a C / N value prediction model Md by performing machine learning according to LightGBM using, for example, the C / N value of the broadcast signal of channel chX as a dependent variable and using information other than the dependent variable in the operation data BD2 as an explanatory variable. Then, the management device 201 calculates the contribution Vc of each dependent variable to the predicted result of the C / N value (step S13).

[0096] Next, based on the contribution Vc, the management device 201 identifies, for example, the relative value RV as the objective variable among the multiple objective variables that has the highest correlation with the predicted result of the C / N value, and determines that the relative value RV is the cause of the signal quality degradation event Pcn (step S14).

[0097] Next, the management device 201 creates a first principal component PC1 and a second principal component PC2 of the signal level for each content receiving device 101 (step S15).

[0098] Next, the management device 201 clusters the first principal component PC1 and the second principal component PC2 (step S16).

[0099] Next, the management device 201 extracts content receiving devices 101 that should take measures against the signal quality degradation event Pcn based on the percentage Ra at which the C / N value of the broadcast signal of channel chX falls below the standard value among multiple content receiving devices 101 corresponding to clusters CL1, CL2, CL3, and CL4 (step S17).

[0100] Next, the management device 201 receives the operation data BD1b and BD1c from the content receiving devices 101b and 101c in the target areas Ab and Ac, respectively (step S18).

[0101] Next, the management device 201 processes the action data BD1b and BD1c to generate action data BD2b and BD2c, and generates a first principal component PC1 and a second principal component PC2 of the signal levels of each of the content receiving devices 101b and 101c (step S19).

[0102] Next, the management device 201 calculates the Euclidean distances Lb and Lc in the two-dimensional coordinates of the first principal component PC1 and the second principal component PC2 (step S20).

[0103] Next, the management device 201 determines the necessity of taking measures against the signal quality degradation event Pcn in the content reception devices 101b and 101c based on the Euclidean distances Lb and Lc (step S21).

[0104] In the management device 201 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the processing unit 52 is configured to determine the cause of the signal quality degradation event Pcn by machine learning, but this is not limiting. The processing unit 52 may be configured to determine the cause of the signal quality degradation event Pcn based on the operation data BD1 or the operation data BD2 without using machine learning.

[0105] Furthermore, in the management device 201 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the processing unit 52 is configured to create the action data BD2 by processing the action data BD1 in accordance with a processing instruction from the user, but this is not limiting. The processing unit 52 may be configured to create the action data BD2 including predetermined action information by processing the action data BD1 without receiving a processing instruction from the user.

[0106] Furthermore, in the management device 201 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the processing unit 52 is configured to perform extraction processing, but this is not limiting. The processing unit 52 may be configured not to perform extraction processing.

[0107] Furthermore, in the management device 201 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the acquisition unit 51 is configured to acquire the operational data BD1b and BD1c, but this is not limited to this. The acquisition unit 51 may be configured not to acquire the operational data BD1b and BD1c. In this case, the processing unit 52 does not determine the need for measures against the signal quality degradation event Pcn in the content receiving devices 101b and 101c.

[0108] The above-described embodiments should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0109] Each process (each function) in the above-described embodiments is realized by a processing circuit including one or more processors. The processing circuit may be configured as an integrated circuit or the like that combines one or more memories, various analog circuits, and various digital circuits in addition to the one or more processors. The one or more memories store programs (instructions) that cause the one or more processors to execute each of the processes. The one or more processors may execute each of the processes according to the program read from the one or more memories, or according to a logic circuit pre-designed to execute each of the processes. The processor may be various processors suitable for computer control, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Note that the physically separate processors may cooperate with each other to execute each of the processes. For example, the processors mounted on a plurality of physically separated computers may cooperate with each other to execute the above processes via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), the Internet, etc. The program may be installed into the memory from an external server device or the like via the network, or may be distributed in a state stored on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), or a semiconductor memory, and installed into the memory from the recording medium.

[0110] The above description includes the following additional features. [Appendix 1] an acquisition unit that acquires first operational data indicating the operational state of each of the plurality of first content receiving devices; an analysis unit that analyzes a cause of a predetermined event occurring in the first content receiving device based on the first operation data acquired by the acquisition unit, The analysis unit processes the first motion data in accordance with processing instructions from a user, and determines the cause of the occurrence by a machine learning method using the processed first motion data.

[0111] [Appendix 2] A factor analysis device, comprising: processing circuitry; The processing circuitry acquiring first operational data indicating an operational state of each of a plurality of first content receiving devices; a factor analysis device that analyzes a cause of a predetermined event occurring in the first content receiving device based on the acquired first operation data; [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 10 Receiving unit 20 Content Processing Section 21 Operation reception section 22 Viewing Section 23 Recording Department 24 Recording and playback section 30 Data transmission unit 31 Operation information acquisition section 32 Transmitter 40 Storage section 41 Recording DB 42 Program Information DB42 43 Reservation Management DB43 51 Acquisition Department 52 Processing section 53 Storage section 101 Content receiving device 111 Display device 121 HDD 151 Network 201 Management device 301 Content transmission device 311 Station Building 401 Management System Aa Target Area BD2 operation data S1 Scatterplot CL1, CL2, CL3, CL4 clusters P1,Pb,Pc plot Lb,Lc Euclidean distance

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires first operational data indicating an operational state of each of a plurality of first content receiving devices; an analysis unit that analyzes a cause of a predetermined event occurring in the first content receiving device based on the first operation data acquired by the acquisition unit.

2. 2. The factor analysis device according to claim 1, wherein the analysis unit determines that at least one of the plurality of types of explanatory variables is the occurrence factor by a machine learning method using a dependent variable related to the predetermined event and a plurality of types of explanatory variables created based on the first operation data.

3. The factor analysis device further 3. The factor analysis device according to claim 1, further comprising an extraction unit that extracts, from the plurality of first content receiving devices, a first content receiving device for which measures against the predetermined event should be taken by clustering parameters for each of the content receiving devices that are created based on the analysis results by the analysis unit and the first operation data.

4. the acquisition unit further acquires second operation data indicating an operation state of a second content receiving device that receives content from a distribution source different from the distribution source of the content received by the first content receiving device; The factor analysis device further 3. The factor analysis device according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit that determines the necessity of a countermeasure for the predetermined event in the second content receiving device based on the analysis result by the analysis unit and the second operation data.

5. A factor analysis method in a factor analysis device, comprising: acquiring first operational data indicating an operational state of each of a plurality of first content receiving devices; and analyzing a cause of a predetermined event occurring in the first content receiving device based on the acquired first operation data.

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