Management device, management method, and management program

Abstract

To improve a monitoring function in content distribution.SOLUTION: A management device can communicate with content viewing devices that receive content from a content distribution device. The management device includes: an acquisition unit that acquires error information about a reception error of the content in each of the plurality of content viewing devices, and operation information indicating an operating state of each of the plurality of content viewing devices; and a determination unit that determines a cause place of the reception error between the content distribution device and the content viewing devices based on the error information and the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a management device, a management method, and a management program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, content viewing devices such as a set-top box (STB) have been known as devices used to view content on a television set. The content viewing device receives content distributed by a head-end device or the like installed in a cable television station, and plays the received content on the television set.

[0003] For example, Non-Patent Document 1 ("STB Monitoring System", [online], [searched August 26, 2021], Internet <URL: https: / / www.trafficsim.co.jp / products / p248 / >) discloses a technology for detecting reception problems by monitoring the reception status of content on a content viewing device. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] "STB monitoring system", [online], [searched August 26, 2021], Internet〈URL: https: / / www.trafficsim.co.jp / products / p248 / 〉 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the technology described in Non-Patent Document 1 is limited to detecting reception disturbances caused by abnormalities on the head-end device side.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a management device, a management method, and a management program that can improve the monitoring function in content distribution. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The management device of the present disclosure is a management device capable of communicating with a content viewing device that receives content from a content distribution device, and includes an acquisition unit that acquires error information regarding a reception error of the content in each of a plurality of content viewing devices and operation information indicating the operating status of each of the plurality of content viewing devices, and a determination unit that determines the cause of the reception error between the content distribution device and the content viewing device based on the error information and the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0008] One aspect of the present disclosure can be realized not only as a management device equipped with such a characteristic processing unit, but also as a semiconductor integrated circuit that realizes part or all of the management device, or as a content distribution system that includes the management device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the monitoring function in content distribution. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a content distribution 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 viewing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the content viewing device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a processing unit in the content viewing device according to the 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 a correspondence table stored in the storage unit of the management device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating time-series data of the error occurrence rate calculated by the processing unit in the management device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating time-series data of the error occurrence rate calculated by the processing unit in the management device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a target area to be managed by a management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation procedure when the management device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure performs the abnormality determination process. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation procedure when the management device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure performs the abnormality determination process. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation procedure when the management device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure performs the abnormality determination process. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation procedure when the management device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure performs the abnormality determination process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] First, the contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0012] (1) A management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a management device capable of communicating with a content viewing device that receives content from a content distribution device, and includes an acquisition unit that acquires error information regarding a reception error of the content in each of a plurality of the content viewing devices and operation information indicating the operation status of each of the plurality of the content viewing devices, and a determination unit that determines the location of the cause of the reception error between the content distribution device and the content viewing device based on the error information and the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0013] In this way, by acquiring error information regarding content reception errors in a content viewing device and operation information indicating the operating state of the content viewing device and determining the cause of the reception error based on the error information and operation information, it is possible to analyze the tendency of reception errors in the content viewing device and determine the cause of reception errors common to, for example, reception errors occurring in a certain number or more of content viewing devices, thereby taking appropriate measures to resolve the reception errors, thereby improving the monitoring function in content distribution.

[0014] (2) In the above (1), the determination unit may determine whether the cause of the reception error is inside the content presentation device or outside the content presentation device.

[0015] With this configuration, for example, the cause of a reception error can be isolated to either the content viewing device installed in the user's home or the content distribution device.

[0016] (3) In (1) or (2) above, the acquisition unit may acquire, as the operation information, at least one of information indicating a software update history in the content viewing device and information indicating whether the content viewing device is using wireless communication to receive the content.

[0017] With this configuration, for example, it is possible to determine, based on the error information and operation information, whether a reception error has occurred due to a software update, and whether the reception error has occurred due to the communication environment within the user's home.

[0018] (4) In any of (1) to (3) above, the acquisition unit may further acquire maintenance information regarding maintenance work on the content distribution device, and the determination unit may further determine the cause of the reception error based on the maintenance information.

[0019] With this configuration, it is possible to determine, for example, based on the error information and maintenance information, whether or not the reception error is caused by the influence of maintenance work on the content distribution device.

[0020] (5) In any of (1) to (4) above, the acquisition unit may further acquire regional information indicating the installation area of ​​each of the plurality of content viewing devices, and the determination unit may further determine the location of the cause of the reception error based on the regional information.

[0021] With this configuration, for example, it is possible to determine whether the cause of the reception error is a relay device between the content distribution device and the content viewing device based on the occurrence status of reception errors in each region indicated by the error information and regional information.

[0022] (6) A management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a management method in a management device capable of communicating with a content viewing device that receives content from a content distribution device, and includes the steps of acquiring error information regarding a reception error of the content in each of a plurality of the content viewing devices and operation information indicating the operation status of each of the plurality of the content viewing devices, and determining the location of the cause of the reception error between the content distribution device and the content viewing device based on the acquired error information and operation information.

[0023] In this way, by acquiring error information regarding content reception errors in a content viewing device and operation information indicating the operating state of the content viewing device and determining the cause of the reception error based on the error information and operation information, it is possible to analyze the trend of reception errors in the content viewing device and determine the cause of the reception error common to, for example, reception errors that have occurred in a certain number or more of content viewing devices, thereby taking appropriate measures to resolve the reception error, thereby improving the monitoring function in content distribution.

[0024] (7) A management program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a management program used in a management device capable of communicating with a content viewing device that receives content from a content distribution device, and is a program for causing a computer to function as an acquisition unit that acquires error information regarding a reception error of the content in each of a plurality of the content viewing devices and operation information indicating the operating status of each of the plurality of the content viewing devices, and a determination unit that determines the cause of the reception error between the content distribution device and the content viewing device based on the error information and the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0025] In this way, by acquiring error information regarding content reception errors in a content viewing device and operation information indicating the operating state of the content viewing device and determining the cause of the reception error based on the error information and operation information, it is possible to analyze the tendency of reception errors in the content viewing device and determine the cause of reception errors common to, for example, reception errors occurring in a certain number or more of content viewing devices, thereby taking appropriate measures to resolve the reception errors, thereby improving the monitoring function in content distribution.

[0026] 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.

[0027] [Configuration and basic operation] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a content distribution system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Fig. 1, the content distribution system 1 includes a head end 10, a plurality of content viewing devices 11, a plurality of display devices 12, a plurality of ONUs (Optical Network Units), and a management device 101. The head end 10 is an example of a content distribution device. The display devices 12 and the ONUs 13 are connected to the content viewing devices 11.

[0028] The content presentation device 11, the display device 12, and the ONU 13 are installed in a user's home in a target area A1 that is an area managed by the management device 101. The content presentation device 11 is connected to the ONU 13 in the user's home via a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or a wired LAN. The display device 12 is connected to the content presentation device 11 in the user's home via, for example, an HDMI (registered trademark) cable.

[0029] The head end 10 is a device that is installed in, for example, a cable television station and distributes content such as programs received by the cable television station to the content viewing device 11. The head end 10 distributes content selected by a user from among multiple pieces of content belonging to multiple channels to the content viewing device 11. Note that the head end 10 is just an example, and other devices may be used instead of the head end 10. In short, the content distribution system 1 only needs to include a device that distributes content to the content viewing device 11.

[0030] The content presentation device 11 is, for example, an STB. The content presentation device 11 receives content distributed from the head end 10. The content presentation device 11 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 presentation device 11 receives, for example, a stream in which content is divided into multiple TS (Transport Stream) packets via the network 201 and the ONU 13, and plays back the content on the display device 12 connected to the content presentation device 11.

[0031] The stream includes, for example, audio information, video information, EPG (Electronic Program Guide) information, subtitle information, and SI (Service Information).

[0032] The display device 12 is, for example, a television device, and displays the content reproduced by the content viewing device 11 on the screen.

[0033] The management device 101 is, for example, a cloud server. However, the management device 101 may also be a standalone server. The management device 101 can communicate with multiple content presentation devices 11 via corresponding ONUs 13 and the network 201, and receives various types of information from each content presentation device 11, for example.

[0034] <Content viewing device> 2 is a diagram illustrating an outline of the configuration of a content viewing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Since the multiple content viewing devices 11 in the content distribution system 1 have the same configuration, the following describes the configuration of one content viewing device 11. Referring to FIG. 2, the content viewing device 11 includes a receiving unit 111, a processing unit 112, and a storage unit 113. The storage unit 113 is, for example, a non-volatile memory.

[0035] The storage unit 113 stores area information indicating an installation area of ​​the content viewing device 11. For example, when a user of the content viewing device 11 installs the content viewing device 11 in the user's home, the user stores in the storage unit 113 area information indicating the postal code of the area to which the user's home belongs.

[0036] The receiving unit 111 receives content via a network 201 such as the Internet and the ONU 13. More specifically, the receiving unit 111 receives broadcast packets that make up a stream from the head end 10 via the network 201 and the ONU 13, and outputs the received broadcast packets to the processing unit 112.

[0037] The processing unit 112 stores the broadcast packets received from the receiving unit 111 in the storage unit 113. The processing unit 112 also performs processing to output content. More specifically, the processing unit 112 performs processing to play back content using information stored in the storage unit 113, and transmits the obtained video information, audio information, and the like to the display device 12. The processing unit 112 also exchanges information with the management device 101 via the network 201 and the ONU 13.

[0038] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of a content viewing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Fig. 3, content viewing device 11 includes a remote control signal receiving unit 1111, a broadcast receiving unit 1112, an erasing unit 1121, a recording unit 1122, a recording reservation unit 1123, a broadcast viewing unit 1124, a recording playback unit 1125, a recording DB 1131, a program information DB 1132, and a reservation management DB 1133. Content viewing device 11 is also connected to an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 14, which is an example of a storage medium.

[0039] The remote control signal receiving unit 1111 and the broadcast receiving unit 1112 are included in the receiving unit 111 shown in Fig. 2. The erasing unit 1121, the recording unit 1122, the recording reservation unit 1123, the broadcast viewing unit 1124, and the recording playback unit 1125 are included in the processing unit 112 shown in Fig. 2. The recording DB 1131, the program information DB 1132, and the reservation management DB 1133 are stored in the memory unit 113 shown in Fig. 2.

[0040] The recording DB 1131 is a database of recorded programs, and stores the content file name, program title, genre, start time, end time, content length, etc. of each program.

[0041] The program information DB 1132 is a database of broadcast programs. In the program information DB 1132, program information is registered, such as an event information table (EIT) acquired from a stream by the broadcast receiving unit 1112, and a program guide based on an EPG created using the EIT, etc. The broadcast receiving unit 1112 periodically acquires the EIT, and the program information DB 1132 is periodically updated.

[0042] The reservation management DB 1133 is a database of reserved programs, and the program title, program start time, program end time, etc. of each program are registered in the reservation management DB 1133.

[0043] The remote control signal receiving unit 1111 receives a remote control signal from the remote control operation unit 151 in the remote control 15, and outputs operation information indicating the user's operation contained in the received remote control signal to the erasing unit 1121, the recording unit 1122, the recording reservation unit 1123, the broadcast viewing unit 1124, and the recording playback unit 1125.

[0044] The broadcast receiving unit 1112 receives broadcast packets that make up a stream via the network 201 and the ONU 13. The broadcast receiving unit 1112 stores the received broadcast packets in the storage unit 113. The broadcast packets are, for example, IP packets that include TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) packets.

[0045] The recording reservation unit 1123 refers to the program guide registered in the program information DB 1132 in accordance with the operation information received from the remote control signal receiving unit 1111, and registers information about the program indicated by the operation information in the reservation management DB 1133.

[0046] The recording reservation unit 1123 refers to the reservation management DB 1133 and outputs a recording instruction to the recording unit 1122 according to the start time of the program.

[0047] The recording unit 1122 records a program indicated by the operation information in accordance with the operation information received from the remote control signal receiving unit 1111. The recording unit 1122 also records a program indicated by a recording instruction in accordance with a recording instruction received from the recording reservation unit 1123. More specifically, the recording unit 1122 controls the broadcast receiving unit 1112 in accordance with the operation information or the recording instruction to obtain broadcast packets corresponding to the program indicated by the operation information or the recording instruction, and stores the obtained broadcast packets as a content file in the HDD 14, and also registers recording information for the program in the recording DB 1131.

[0048] The broadcast viewing unit 1124 plays back broadcast programs. More specifically, the broadcast viewing unit 1124 controls the broadcast receiving unit 1112 in accordance with operation information received from the remote control signal receiving unit 1111 to acquire broadcast packets corresponding to the program indicated by the operation information, performs processing to play back content using information, etc. included in the acquired broadcast packets, and transmits the acquired video information, audio information, etc. to the display device 12.

[0049] The recording / playback unit 1125 plays back recorded programs. More specifically, in accordance with the operation information received from the remote control signal receiving unit 1111, the recording / playback unit 1125 acquires broadcast packets corresponding to the program indicated by the operation information from the HDD 14. The recording / playback unit 1125 then performs processing to play back the content using information, etc. contained in the acquired broadcast packets, and transmits the acquired video information, audio information, etc. to the display device 12.

[0050] In accordance with the operation information received from the remote control signal receiving unit 1111 , the erasing unit 1121 erases from the HDD 14 the broadcast packets corresponding to the program indicated by the operation information, and erases from the recording DB 1131 the recording information relating to that program.

[0051] 4 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a processing unit in a content presentation device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 4, processing unit 112 in content presentation device 11 includes a reception information generation unit 1126, an operation information generation unit 1127, and a transmission processing unit 1128.

[0052] The reception information generation unit 1126 monitors the receiving unit 111 and generates, at generation timings according to a predetermined cycle Ct, reception result information indicating the reception result of the content by the receiving unit 111 during the period from the previous generation timing to the current generation timing. More specifically, the reception information generation unit 1126 generates reception result information indicating the reception period of the content by the receiving unit 111 and the channel to which the content belongs.

[0053] For example, if a content reception error occurs in the receiving unit 111, the reception information generating unit 1126 generates reception result information including error information related to the content reception error. More specifically, if the receiving unit 111 is unable to receive broadcast packets for a certain period of time, the reception information generating unit 1126 determines that a content reception error has occurred in the receiving unit 111, and generates reception result information including error information indicating the error period during which the receiving unit 111 was unable to receive broadcast packets and the error channel Ce to which the content belongs.

[0054] The reception information generation unit 1126 generates reception result information at timing according to the cycle Ct, and outputs the generated reception result information to the transmission processing unit 1128. The cycle Ct is, for example, 12 hours.

[0055] The operation information generator 1127 generates operation information indicating the operation state of the content presentation device 11.

[0056] For example, the operation information generating unit 1127 acquires software information including information indicating the update history of firmware in the content presentation device 11 and information indicating the update history of applications in the content presentation device 11.

[0057] Furthermore, for example, the operation information generating unit 1127 acquires network information indicating whether wireless communication is used for the receiving unit 111 to receive content from the ONU 13. More specifically, the operation information generating unit 1127 receives, from the receiving unit 111, network information indicating whether the receiving unit 111 and the ONU 13 are connected via a wireless LAN or whether the receiving unit 111 and the ONU 13 are connected via a wired LAN.

[0058] The operation information generation unit 1127 acquires software information and network information at a generation timing according to the cycle Ct, and generates operation information including the acquired software information and network information. The operation information generation unit 1127 outputs the generated operation information to the transmission processing unit 1128.

[0059] When the regional information is saved in the memory unit 113 by user operation, the transmission processing unit 1128 acquires the regional information from the memory unit 113, includes the ID of the content viewing device 11 in the acquired regional information, and transmits it to the management device 101 via the ONU 13 and the network 201.

[0060] Furthermore, the transmission processing unit 1128 receives reception result information from the reception information generation unit 1126, includes the ID of the content presentation device 11 in the received reception result information, and transmits the information to the management device 101 via the ONU 13 and the network 201. Furthermore, the transmission processing unit 1128 receives operation information from the operation information generation unit 1127, includes the ID of the content presentation device 11 in the received operation information, and transmits the information to the management device 101 via the ONU 13 and the network 201. For example, the transmission processing unit 1128 in each content presentation device 11 transmits the reception result information and operation information to the management device 101 via the ONU 13 and the network 201 at the same timing according to the cycle Ct.

[0061] <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 101 includes an acquisition unit 21, a processing unit 22, and a storage unit 23. Storage unit 23 is, for example, a non-volatile memory.

[0062] The acquisition unit 21 acquires error information related to a content reception error in each of the plurality of content presentation devices 11. More specifically, the acquisition unit 21 receives reception result information from each content presentation device 11 in the content distribution system 1 via the ONU 13 and the network 201. The acquisition unit 21 stores the received reception result information in the storage unit 23.

[0063] The acquisition unit 21 also acquires operation information indicating the operation status of each of the multiple content presentation devices 11. For example, the acquisition unit 21 acquires, as the operation information, information indicating a software update history of the content presentation device 11 and information indicating whether the content presentation device 11 uses wireless communication to receive content. More specifically, the acquisition unit 21 receives the operation information from each content presentation device 11 in the content distribution system 1 via the ONU 13 and the network 201. The acquisition unit 21 stores the received operation information in the storage unit 23.

[0064] For example, the acquisition unit 21 further acquires regional information indicating the installation region of each of the plurality of content presentation devices 11. More specifically, the acquisition unit 21 receives the regional information from each content presentation device 11 in the content distribution system 1 via the ONU 13 and the network 201. The acquisition unit 21 stores the received regional information in the storage unit 23.

[0065] Furthermore, for example, the acquisition unit 21 further acquires maintenance information related to maintenance work on the head end 10. More specifically, at the head end 10, maintenance work such as replacement and repair of devices for distributing content is performed for each channel.

[0066] When the acquisition unit 21 receives reception result information and operation information from each content viewing device 11 in the content distribution system 1 via the ONU 13 and the network 201 at a timing according to the cycle Ct, it transmits a maintenance information request to the head end 10 via the network 201.

[0067] When the head end 10 receives a maintenance information request from the management device 101, it transmits maintenance information indicating the maintenance period Pm, which is the period during which maintenance work will be performed at the head end 10, and the maintenance channel Cm, which is the channel that will be subject to the maintenance work, to the management device 101 via the network 201.

[0068] The acquisition unit 21 receives maintenance information from the head end 10 via the network 201, and stores the received maintenance information in the storage unit 23. Note that the acquisition unit 21 may be configured to accept registration of maintenance information from the user of the management device 101, instead of receiving maintenance information from the head end 10.

[0069] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a correspondence table stored in the storage unit of the management device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0070] 6, the processing unit 22 creates a correspondence table Tb indicating a correspondence relationship between the ID of the content presentation device 11, whether wireless communication was used when the content presentation device 11 received the content, the last update date UD1 of the firmware in the content presentation device 11, the last update date UD2 of the application in the content presentation device 11, and the postal code of the area where the content presentation device 11 is installed, based on the operation information and area information stored in the storage unit 23 by the acquisition unit 21. The processing unit 22 stores the created correspondence table Tb in the storage unit 23.

[0071] The processing unit 22 determines the location of the cause of the content reception error between the head end 10 and the content presentation device 11 based on the reception result information and operation information acquired by the acquisition unit 21. For example, the processing unit 22 determines whether the location of the cause of the content reception error is inside the content presentation device 11 or outside the content presentation device 11.

[0072] More specifically, the processing unit 22 performs an abnormality determination process to determine whether an abnormality has occurred in the reception of content in the content distribution system 1. If the processing unit 22 determines in the abnormality determination process that an abnormality has occurred in the content distribution system 1, the processing unit 22 performs a cause determination process to determine the location of the cause of the content reception error. For example, in the cause determination process, the processing unit 22 narrows down the device that is the cause of the reception error from among multiple devices on the transmission path of the broadcast packet between the head end 10 and the content viewing device 11.

[0073] After performing the cause determination process, the processing unit 22 notifies the user of the management device 101 of the determination result in the cause determination process by voice or image.

[0074] (Abnormality determination processing) When the acquisition unit 21 stores reception result information from each content viewing device 11 in the content distribution system 1 in the memory unit 23 at a timing according to the cycle Ct, the processing unit 22 calculates, based on each reception result information in the memory unit 23, an error occurrence rate R1 indicating the rate of content viewing devices 11 in which a content reception error occurred among all content viewing devices 11 in the content distribution system 1.

[0075] More specifically, the processing unit 22 calculates the ratio of reception result information containing error information to the plurality of pieces of reception result information acquired from the storage unit 23 as the error occurrence ratio R1.

[0076] 7 is a diagram illustrating time-series data of the error occurrence rate calculated by the processing unit in the management device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, in which the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents the error occurrence rate [%].

[0077] 7, the processing unit 22 compares the calculated error occurrence rate R1 with a predetermined threshold value Th1, and if the error occurrence rate R1 exceeds the threshold value Th1, determines that an abnormality has occurred in content reception in the content distribution system 1. The processing unit 22 then identifies a change point Vp1, which is the date and time when the error occurrence rate exceeded the threshold value Th1. The processing unit 22 performs a cause determination process based on the identified change point Vp1 and operation information.

[0078] For example, the processing unit 22 performs the factor determination process based on a change in the operational state of the content presentation device 11 during a target period of a predetermined length that includes the change point Vp1. The length of the target period is, for example, 24 hours or more.

[0079] (Example 1 of factor determination processing) The processing unit 22 refers to the correspondence table Tb and the reception result information in the storage unit 23, and extracts the content presentation devices 11 that use wireless communication to receive content. The processing unit 22 calculates an error occurrence rate Ra indicating the rate of the content presentation devices 11 in which a content reception error occurred, among the extracted content presentation devices 11.

[0080] Furthermore, the processing unit 22 refers to the correspondence table Tb and the reception result information in the storage unit 23, and extracts content presentation devices 11 that do not use wireless communication to receive content. The processing unit 22 calculates an error occurrence rate Rb indicating the rate of content presentation devices 11 in which a content reception error occurred, among the extracted content presentation devices 11.

[0081] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing time-series data of the error occurrence rate calculated by a processing unit in a management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The solid line in Fig. 8 indicates the error occurrence rate Ra, and the dashed line in Fig. 8 indicates the error occurrence rate Rb. In Fig. 8, the horizontal axis indicates time, and the vertical axis indicates the error occurrence rate [%].

[0082] 8, the processing unit 22 calculates a change amount Va of the error occurrence rate Ra in a target period P1 of a predetermined length including the change point Vp1, and a change amount Vb of the error occurrence rate Rb in the target period P1.

[0083] If the difference D1 between the amount of change Va and the amount of change Vb is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the processing unit 22 determines that the location causing the reception error is included between the ONU 13 and the content viewing device 11.

[0084] On the other hand, if the difference D1 between the amount of change Va and the amount of change Vb is less than the predetermined value, the processing unit 22 determines that the location causing the reception error is included between the head end 10 and the ONU 13.

[0085] (Specific example 2 of factor determination processing) The processing unit 22 determines whether the cause of the reception error is the firmware in the content presentation device 11 based on the target period P2 of a predetermined length including the change point Vp1 and the last update date UD1 of the firmware in the content presentation device 11.

[0086] For example, if the processing unit 22 determines in specific example 1 of the cause determination process that the cause location is between the ONU 13 and the content viewing device 11, it refers to the correspondence table Tb in the memory unit 23 and extracts the content viewing device 11 corresponding to the larger of the change amount Va and the change amount Vb from among the multiple content viewing devices 11 in which a content reception error has occurred.

[0087] More specifically, if the difference D1 between the change amount Va and the change amount Vb is greater than a predetermined value and the change amount Vb is greater than the change amount Va, the processing unit 22 extracts, from among the multiple content viewing devices 11 in which a content reception error has occurred, a content viewing device 11 that is not using wireless communication to receive the content.

[0088] On the other hand, if the difference D1 between the change amount Va and the change amount Vb is greater than a predetermined value and the change amount Va is greater than the change amount Vb, the processing unit 22 extracts the content viewing device 11 that uses wireless communication to receive the content from among the multiple content viewing devices 11 in which a content reception error has occurred.

[0089] The processing unit 22 checks the extracted last update date UD1 of the firmware in the content viewing device 11.

[0090] If the proportion Rx of content presentation devices 11 whose last update date UD1 falls within the target period P2 among the extracted content presentation devices 11 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the processing unit 22 determines that the cause of the reception error is firmware in the content presentation device 11. In other words, if the firmware of content presentation devices 11 that make up the proportion Rx or more of the content presentation devices 11 in which a reception error has occurred has been updated within the target period P2 that includes the change point Vp1, the processing unit 22 determines that the reception error was caused by a firmware update.

[0091] On the other hand, if the proportion Rx of the extracted content viewing devices 11 whose last update date UD1 falls within the target period P2 is less than a predetermined value, the processing unit 22 determines that the cause of the reception error is not the firmware in the content viewing device 11.

[0092] (Example 3 of factor determination processing) The processing unit 22 determines whether the cause of the reception error is the application in the content presentation device 11 based on the target period P3 of a predetermined length including the change point Vp1 and the last update date UD2 of the application in the content presentation device 11.

[0093] For example, if the processing unit 22 determines in specific example 1 of the cause determination process that the cause location is between the ONU 13 and the content viewing device 11, it refers to the correspondence table Tb in the memory unit 23 and extracts the content viewing device 11 corresponding to the larger of the change amount Va and the change amount Vb from among the multiple content viewing devices 11 in which a content reception error has occurred.

[0094] More specifically, if the difference D1 between the change amount Va and the change amount Vb is greater than a predetermined value and the change amount Vb is greater than the change amount Va, the processing unit 22 extracts, from among the multiple content viewing devices 11 in which a content reception error has occurred, a content viewing device 11 that is not using wireless communication to receive the content.

[0095] On the other hand, if the difference D1 between the change amount Va and the change amount Vb is greater than a predetermined value and the change amount Va is greater than the change amount Vb, the processing unit 22 extracts the content viewing device 11 that uses wireless communication to receive the content from among the multiple content viewing devices 11 in which a content reception error has occurred.

[0096] The processing unit 22 checks the last update date UD2 of the application in the extracted content viewing device 11.

[0097] If the proportion Ry of content presentation devices 11 whose last update date UD2 falls within the target period P3 among the extracted content presentation devices 11 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the processing unit 22 determines that the cause of the reception error is an application in the content presentation device 11. In other words, if an application update was performed within the target period P3 including the change point Vp1 in content presentation devices 11 that make up a proportion Ry or more of the content presentation devices 11 in which a reception error occurred, the processing unit 22 determines that the reception error was caused by an application update.

[0098] On the other hand, if the proportion Ry of the extracted content viewing devices 11 whose last update date UD2 falls within the target period P3 is less than a predetermined value, the processing unit 22 determines that the cause of the reception error is not an application in the content viewing device 11.

[0099] For example, if the processing unit 22 determines in specific example 1 of the cause determination process that the cause location is between the ONU 13 and the content viewing device 11, and if the processing unit 22 determines in specific examples 2 and 3 of the cause determination process that the cause location of the reception error is neither the firmware nor the application in the content viewing device 11, it determines that the cause location is another device other than the content viewing device 11, such as a wireless communication device in the user's home.

[0100] (Example 4 of factor determination processing) The processing unit 22 determines the location of the cause of the content reception error based on the maintenance information. For example, the processing unit 22 determines whether the location of the cause of the reception error is the head end 10 based on the target period P4 of a predetermined length that includes the change point Vp1 and the maintenance period Pm indicated by the maintenance information.

[0101] More specifically, if the processing unit 22 determines in specific example 1 of the cause determination process that the cause location is included between the head end 10 and the ONU 13, it checks the maintenance period Pm and maintenance channel Cm indicated by the maintenance information in the memory unit 23.

[0102] If the target period P4 includes a maintenance period Pm and the proportion Rz of error information including error channels Ce that match the maintenance channel Cm among all the error information is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the processing unit 22 determines that the cause of the reception error is the head end 10. In other words, if the target period P4 includes a maintenance period Pm and the proportion Rz or more of the error channels Ce match the maintenance channel Cm, the processing unit 22 determines that the reception error has occurred due to the influence of maintenance work at the head end 10.

[0103] On the other hand, if the target period P4 does not include the maintenance period Pm, or if the proportion Rz of error information that includes the error channel Ce that matches the maintenance channel Cm among all error information is less than a predetermined value, the processing unit 22 determines that the cause of the reception error is not the head end 10.

[0104] (Example 5 of factor determination processing) The processing unit 22 determines the location of the cause of the content reception error based on the area information as well.

[0105] 9 is a diagram illustrating a target area to be managed by a management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 9, the area surrounded by a thick line indicates target area A1. Referring to FIG. 9, for example, processing unit 22 determines whether the cause of the reception error is a relay device in network 201 based on a target period P5 of a predetermined length that includes change point Vp1 and an error occurrence rate Rc in content viewing devices 11 installed in a predetermined divided area Ad into which target area A1 is divided.

[0106] More specifically, when the processing unit 22 determines in specific example 1 of the cause determination process that the cause location is included between the head end 10 and the ONU 13, the processing unit 22 refers to the correspondence table Tb in the storage unit 23 and extracts, for each predetermined divided area Ad, a plurality of content presentation devices 11 installed in the divided area Ad. Then, the processing unit 22 calculates, for each divided area Ad, an error occurrence rate Rc indicating the rate of content presentation devices 11 in which a content reception error has occurred among the extracted content presentation devices 11.

[0107] If the change Vc in the error occurrence rate Rc corresponding to the divided area Ad during the target period P5 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the processing unit 22 determines that the cause of the reception error is a relay device for relaying broadcast packets to the content viewing device 11 installed in the divided area Ad.

[0108] For example, if the processing unit 22 determines in specific example 1 of the cause determination process that the cause location is between the head end 10 and the ONU 13, and if the processing unit 22 determines in specific examples 4 and 5 of the cause determination process that the cause location of the reception error is neither the head end 10 nor the relay device, it determines that the cause location is another device other than the head end 10 and the relay device outside the user's premises.

[0109] [Operation flow] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation procedure when the management device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure performs the abnormality determination process.

[0110] Referring to FIG. 10, first, management device 101 receives area information from each content presentation device 11 in content distribution system 1 via ONU 13 and network 201 (step S11).

[0111] Next, the management device 101 waits for reception result information and operation information to arrive from each content viewing device 11 in the content distribution system 1 (NO in step S12), and when it receives reception result information and operation information from each content viewing device 11 via the ONU 13 and the network 201 (YES in step S12), it obtains a maintenance information request from the head end 10 (step S13).

[0112] Next, based on the reception result information received from each content viewing device 11, the management device 101 calculates an error occurrence rate R1 indicating the percentage of content viewing devices 11 in which a content reception error occurred among all content viewing devices 11 in the content distribution system 1 (step S14).

[0113] Next, the management device 101 compares the error occurrence rate R1 with a threshold value Th1 (step S15).

[0114] Next, if the error occurrence rate R1 is equal to or less than the threshold value Th1 (NO in step S16), the management device 101 waits for new reception result information and new operation information to arrive from each content presentation device 11 in the content distribution system 1 (NO in step S12).

[0115] On the other hand, if the error occurrence rate R1 exceeds the threshold value Th1 (YES in step S16), the management device 101 identifies a change point Vp1, which is the date and time when the error occurrence rate exceeded the threshold value Th1 (step S17).

[0116] Next, the management device 101 performs a cause determination process (step S18).

[0117] Next, the management device 101 notifies the user of the management device 101 of the determination result in the factor determination process by voice or image (step S19). Next, the management device 101 waits for the arrival of new reception result information and new operation information from each content viewing device 11 in the content distribution system 1 (NO in step S12).

[0118] 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation procedure when a management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure performs an abnormality determination process, and shows details of step S18 in FIG.

[0119] 11, first, the management device 101 extracts the content presentation devices 11 that use wireless communication to receive content, and calculates an error occurrence rate Ra indicating the proportion of the content presentation devices 11 that have experienced a content reception error among the extracted content presentation devices 11. The management device 101 also extracts the content presentation devices 11 that do not use wireless communication to receive content, and calculates an error occurrence rate Rb indicating the proportion of the content presentation devices 11 that have experienced a content reception error among the extracted content presentation devices 11 (step S21).

[0120] Next, the management device 101 calculates the change amount Va of the error occurrence rate Ra in the target period P1 of a predetermined length including the change point Vp1, and the change amount Vb of the error occurrence rate Rb in the target period P1 (step S22).

[0121] Next, if the difference D1 between the amount of change Va and the amount of change Vb is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (YES in step S23), the management device 101 determines that the cause of the reception error is located between the ONU 13 and the content viewing device 11 (step S24).

[0122] Next, the management device 101 narrows down the cause of the problem between the ONU 13 and the content viewing device 11 (step S25).

[0123] On the other hand, if the difference D1 between the amount of change Va and the amount of change Vb is less than the predetermined value (NO in step S23), the management device 101 determines that the cause of the reception error is contained between the head end 10 and the ONU 13 (step S26).

[0124] Next, the management device 101 narrows down the cause of the problem between the head end 10 and the ONU 13 (step S27).

[0125] 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation procedure when the management device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure performs an abnormality determination process, and shows details of step S25 in FIG.

[0126] 12, first, the management device 101 refers to the correspondence table Tb and extracts, from among the plurality of content presentation devices 11 in which a content reception error has occurred, the content presentation device 11 corresponding to the larger of the change amount Va and the change amount Vb. For example, if the change amount Vb is larger than the change amount Va, the management device 101 extracts, from among the plurality of content presentation devices 11 in which a content reception error has occurred, the content presentation device 11 that does not use wireless communication to receive content (step S31).

[0127] Next, the management device 101 checks the last update date UD1 of the firmware in the extracted content presentation device 11 (step S32).

[0128] Next, if the proportion Rx of the extracted content viewing devices 11 whose last update date UD1 falls within the target period P2 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (YES in step S33), the management device 101 determines that the cause of the reception error is the firmware in the content viewing device 11 (step S34).

[0129] On the other hand, if the ratio Rx is less than the predetermined value (NO in step S33), the management device 101 checks the last update date UD2 of the application in the extracted content presentation device 11 (step S35).

[0130] Next, if the proportion Ry of the extracted content viewing devices 11 whose last update date UD2 falls within the target period P2 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (YES in step S36), the management device 101 determines that the cause of the reception error is an application in the content viewing device 11 (step S37).

[0131] On the other hand, if the ratio Ry is less than the predetermined value (NO in step S36), the management device 101 determines that the contributing factor is a device other than the content presentation device 11, such as a wireless communication device in the user's home (step S38).

[0132] The order of steps S32, S33, S34 and S35, S36, S37 is not limited to the above, and may be reversed.

[0133] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation procedure when a management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure performs an abnormality determination process, and shows details of step S27 in FIG.

[0134] Referring to FIG. 13, first, management device 101 checks the maintenance period Pm and the maintenance channel Cm indicated by the maintenance information in storage unit 23 (step S41).

[0135] Next, if the target period P4 includes a maintenance period Pm and the proportion Rz of error information including an error channel Ce that matches the maintenance channel Cm among all error information is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (YES in step S42), the management device 101 determines that the cause of the reception error is the head end 10 (step S43).

[0136] On the other hand, if the target period P4 does not include the maintenance period Pm or the ratio Rz is less than a predetermined value (NO in step S42), the management device 101 extracts, for each divided area Ad, multiple content viewing devices 11 installed in that divided area Ad, and calculates an error occurrence ratio Rc indicating the ratio of content viewing devices 11 among the extracted content viewing devices 11 that have experienced a content reception error (step S44).

[0137] Next, if the change Vc in the error occurrence rate Rc corresponding to the divided area Ad during the target period P5 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (YES in step S45), the management device 101 determines that the cause of the reception error is a relay device for relaying broadcast packets to the content viewing device 11 installed in the divided area Ad (step S46).

[0138] Next, if the amount of change Vc is less than the predetermined value (NO in step S45), the management device 101 determines that the cause is a device other than the content presentation device 11, such as a wireless communication device outside the user's home (step S47).

[0139] The order of steps S41, S42, S43, S44 and S45, S46, S47 is not limited to the above, and may be reversed.

[0140] Furthermore, in the management device 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the processing unit 22 is configured to determine whether the location of the cause of the content reception error is inside the content presentation device 11 or outside the content presentation device 11, but this is not limited to this. For example, the processing unit 22 may be configured to determine whether the location of the cause of the reception error is the head end 10 or a relay device in the network 201, but not to determine whether the location of the cause of the reception error is inside the content presentation device 11 or outside the content presentation device 11.

[0141] Furthermore, in the management device 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the acquisition unit 21 is configured to acquire operation information including software information and network information, but this is not limited to this. The acquisition unit 21 may be configured to acquire operation information that does not include software information and network information, but instead includes other information indicating the operating state of the content viewing device 11.

[0142] In addition, in the management device 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the processing unit 22 is configured to perform the above-described specific example 4 of the cause determination process based on the maintenance information, but this is not limiting. The processing unit 22 may also be configured not to perform the specific example 4 of the cause determination process.

[0143] In addition, in the management device 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the processing unit 22 is configured to perform the above-described specific example 5 of the factor determination process based on the area information, but this is not limiting. The processing unit 22 may also be configured not to perform the specific example 5 of the factor determination process.

[0144] 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.

[0145] 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), or the Internet. The program may be installed in 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 essential memory, and installed in the memory from the recording medium.

[0146] The above description includes the following additional features. [Appendix 1] A management device capable of communicating with a content viewing device that receives content from a content distribution device, an acquisition unit that acquires error information regarding a reception error of the content in each of the plurality of content presentation devices and operation information indicating an operation state of each of the plurality of content presentation devices; a determination unit that determines a location of a cause of the reception error between the content distribution device and the content viewing device based on the error information and the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit, The determination unit, when the proportion of the content viewing devices among the plurality of content viewing devices in which a content reception error has occurred exceeds a predetermined threshold, identifies a change point which is the date and time when the proportion exceeded the threshold, and determines the causal location based on the identified change point and the operation information.

[0147] [Appendix 2] A management device capable of communicating with a content viewing device that receives content from a content distribution device, processing circuitry; The processing circuitry acquiring error information relating to a reception error of the content in each of the plurality of content presentation devices and operation information indicating an operation state of each of the plurality of content presentation devices; A management device that determines a location between the content distribution device and the content viewing device that is the cause of the reception error based on the acquired error information and operation information. [Explanation of symbols]

[0148] 1 Content distribution system 10 Headend 11 Content viewing device 12 Display device 13 ONU 14 HDD 15 Remote Control 21 Acquisition Department 22 Processing section 23 Memory section 101 Management device 111 Receiving unit 112 Processing section 113 Storage section 151 Remote control operation section 1111 Remote control signal receiver 1112 Broadcast receiving unit 1121 Eraser 1122 Recording Department 1123 Recording Reservation Department 1124 Broadcast Viewing Section 1125 Recording and playback unit 1126 Received information generation unit 1127 Operational state generation unit 1128 Transmission Processing Unit 1131 Recording DB 1132 Program Information DB 1133 Reservation Management DB 201 Network Tb compatible table Vp1 change point P1 Target period Th1 threshold R1, Ra, Rb Error occurrence rate A1 Target area Ad split area

Claims

1. A management device capable of communicating with a content viewing device that receives content from a content distribution device, the content viewing device receives the content from the content distribution device via a corresponding ONU; The management device an acquisition unit that acquires error information regarding a reception error of the content in each of the plurality of content presentation devices and operation information indicating an operation state of each of the plurality of content presentation devices; a determination unit that determines a location of a cause of the reception error between the content distribution device and the content viewing device based on the error information and the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit, the acquiring unit acquires, as the operation information, information indicating whether the content viewing device is wirelessly connected to the ONU when receiving the content; The management device, wherein the determining unit determines that the candidate locations that are the cause of the reception error are between the content distribution device and the ONU, and between the ONU and the content viewing device.

2. The management device according to claim 1 , wherein the determination unit determines whether the cause of the reception error is inside the content presentation device or outside the content presentation device.

3. The management device according to claim 1 , wherein the acquisition unit further acquires, as the operation information, information indicating a software update history of the content viewing device.

4. the acquisition unit further acquires maintenance information related to maintenance work on the content distribution device; 3. The management device according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit determines a location causing the reception error based on the maintenance information.

5. the acquisition unit further acquires area information indicating an installation area of ​​each of the plurality of content viewing devices; The management device according to claim 1 , wherein the determining unit determines a location of the cause of the reception error further based on the area information.

6. A management method in a management device capable of communicating with a content viewing device that receives content from a content distribution device, comprising: the content viewing device receives the content from the content distribution device via a corresponding ONU; The management method includes: acquiring error information relating to a reception error of the content in each of the plurality of content presentation devices and operation information indicating an operation state of each of the plurality of content presentation devices; determining a location between the content distribution device and the content viewing device that is the cause of the reception error based on the acquired error information and operation information; In the step of acquiring the operation information, information indicating whether the content presentation device is wirelessly connected to the ONU when receiving the content is acquired as the operation information; A management method in which, in the step of determining the cause of the reception error, the candidates determined to include the cause of the reception error are between the content distribution device and the ONU, and between the ONU and the content viewing device.

7. A management program used in a management device capable of communicating with a content viewing device that receives content from a content distribution device, the content viewing device receives the content from the content distribution device via a corresponding ONU; Computer, an acquisition unit that acquires error information regarding a reception error of the content in each of the plurality of content presentation devices and operation information indicating an operation state of each of the plurality of content presentation devices; a determination unit that determines a location of a cause of the reception error between the content distribution device and the content viewing device based on the error information and the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit; It is a program to function as the acquiring unit acquires, as the operation information, information indicating whether the content viewing device is wirelessly connected to the ONU when receiving the content; The management program, wherein the determining unit determines that the candidate location that causes the reception error is between the content distribution device and the ONU, and between the ONU and the content viewing device.

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