WO2001063928A1

WO2001063928A1 - System and method for delivering transmission contents

Info

Publication number: WO2001063928A1
Application number: PCT/EP2001/001767
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hubert Roth
Original assignee: Grundig Ag
Priority date: 2000-02-24
Filing date: 2001-02-17
Publication date: 2001-08-30
Also published as: DE10008772A1; EP1310094A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a closed communications system, comprising a local control unit which provides access to said closed communications system to the individual users connected to the closed communications system. In addition to regulating the access of individual users to the transmission contents that are stored on a local storage medium, the local control unit also calculates the fees due accordingly and allocates these to the individual users. This enables new transmission contents to be transmitted from an external central unit to the closed communications system at a particular point in time, e.g., once a week, so that they can be stored on the local storage medium. The local control unit can then access the transmission contents without any further communication with the external central unit.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE DELIVERY OF TRANSMIT CONTENT

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a system and a method for the delivery of broadcast content for a closed communication system, in particular for a communication system for hotels, hospitals, etc.

Systems for distributing broadcast content have become known in which a multiplicity of different channels are distributed via cable distribution systems. The cable distribution systems can be known carrier media such as coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, telephone lines or a combination of carrier media such as. B. broadband satellite connection and telephone connection. The cable distribution systems are suitable for the transmission of freely receivable channels or programs (Free TV) and / or for the transmission of channels for which reception must be paid (Pay-TV) and / or for the transmission of programs for which reception must be paid (Pay -Per- View) and / or for programs that can be selected by a user and are available at a time specified by the user (video-on-demand).

Cable distribution systems are known from EP 0 766 474 A1, EP 0 766 475 A1 and WO 98/01996 A1, which are suitable for free TV, pay TV, pay-per-view channels or programs and video-on-demand to distribute.

From WO 97/09826 A1 and WO 97/09827 A1, cable distribution systems are known which use digital telephone networks to distribute the television signals. The television signals to be distributed come from video recorders (VCR), video servers (digital storage of television signals on hard disks, VDP) or of current events, which are encrypted using an encoder for digital transmission. For example, an MPEG encoder can be used for this.

From WO 95/02943 A1 and WO 95/02945 A1 cable distribution systems are known which, for. B. can be used in a hotel and enable the distribution of television signals of different standards, such as. B. NTSC, PAL and SECAM. The various television signals can e.g. B. originate from VCRs or VDPs.

Another possibility for distributing broadcast content is known from WO 97/21162 A1. For this purpose, broadcast content is recorded on a CD-ROM or DVD, encrypted and sent to users or distributed. The user would like certain contents of the recording medium

Provided, he can receive a key from an authorization center over a telephone connection for a fee, which allows him access to the desired content, e.g. B. certain films.

A system for local processing or for local access to large amounts of data is known from WO 95/07592 A1. The system is particularly suitable for providing video-on-demand with a limited transmission bandwidth, ie certain programs or films can be selected by a user at any time and viewed for a fee. For this purpose, two variants are described in the known system. In the first variant, a storage medium with a predetermined number of films is prefabricated by a service provider and sent or distributed to the users. Either the user pays a one-time fee or the films are recorded in encrypted form on the storage medium. After a payment, e.g. B. with credit card, decryption is possible. In the second variant, it is provided that a local storage medium is available, which can be accessed via a control device and a data connection, e.g. B. a telephone connection is connected to an external control center. Encrypted or incomplete broadcast content, e.g. B. films are transmitted via the data connection to the control device. The control device stores the transmitted broadcast content on the local storage medium in encrypted or incomplete form. If a certain broadcast content, ie a certain film, is selected by a user, the control device contacts the external control center via the data connection. The external control center then transmits keys or the missing parts of the broadcast content for the selected broadcast content to the control device via the data connection. At the same time, the external control center charges a fee to be paid by the user for the selected broadcast content. The control device then decrypts the broadcast content stored on the local storage medium or combines the incomplete broadcast content stored on the local storage medium with the missing parts of the broadcast content sent by the external control center in order to make the selected broadcast content available for display on a display device.

In the known cable distribution systems, it is thus provided that the broadcast contents to be distributed are stored on storage media in the centers of the cable distribution systems and, if necessary, to be sent to users of the cable distribution systems. In order to reduce the bandwidths required for sending the broadcast content, provision can also be made for producing prefabricated storage media and for sending or distributing them to the users. It is also known to use local writable storage media on which encrypted or incomplete broadcast content is stored, which is encrypted or sent incompletely from the central office to the individual users.

The known cable distribution systems, however, prove to be suitable for operators of closed communication systems Communication systems for hotels, as a disadvantage because the closed communication systems form independent cable distribution systems.

A major problem with such independent cable distribution systems is the availability of current broadcast content. This is currently done by sending storage media such as video cassettes or DVDs by a service provider, for example on a weekly basis. For the supply of a large number of hotels, large amounts of storage media are required, which must first be manufactured and disposed of again after use in the hotels. This creates a great deal of effort on the one hand and a not inconsiderable environmental impact on the other.

The transmission of broadcast content from an external center also turns out to be problematic if the desired broadcast content is to be provided by the external center for every guest in the hotel. This makes a wide range necessary in order to be able to fulfill a multitude of different wishes of the individual guests at the same time. This results in considerable costs for the transmission of the broadcast content.

The encrypted or incomplete transmission of the broadcast content and the encrypted or incomplete storage on local storage media is in a closed communication system, such as. B. can be used in hotels problematic because in this case for all potential users of the system, i. H. for all hotel guests or for all hotel rooms, communication channels to the external center must be provided in order to be able to decrypt or complete the locally stored broadcast content.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system and a method for the delivery of broadcast content for a completed one

Communication system, in particular for a communication system for hotels, hospitals, etc., to take into account the peculiarities of the closed communication system and those described at the beginning Solve problems regarding the necessary transmission bandwidth, the number of communication channels required with an external center and avoiding the expense of producing a large number of storage media.

In the present invention, this object is achieved by the features of claims 1 and 8.

In the system and method according to the invention, it is assumed that a control unit is provided locally in a closed communication system, which enables the individual users connected to the closed communication system to have access to the closed communication system. In addition to the task of regulating the access of the individual users to the broadcast content stored on a local storage medium, the local control unit also takes on the task of calculating the fees due and allocating them to the individual users. Thus, it is possible at a certain time, e.g. B. once a week to send new broadcast content from an external center to the completed communication system to store them on the local storage medium. The local control unit can then access the broadcast content without further communication with the external center.

The advantage of the system and method according to the invention can be seen in the fact that no connection or only a connection with a very low bandwidth to an external center is required during normal operation of the closed communication system, since the administration takes place essentially locally. Another advantage is that the production and disposal of large quantities of data carriers can be avoided.

Further advantages of the present invention result from the dependent claims and the following description of embodiments of a system according to the invention for the delivery of broadcast content based on figures.

It shows:

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a system according to the invention for the delivery of broadcast content, and

Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of a system according to the invention for the delivery of broadcast content.

In order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, only the components of the exemplary embodiments which are important in connection with the invention are shown in the figures. The same components in the figures have the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a system for the delivery of broadcast content for a closed communication system 14 to 18, in particular for a communication system for hotels, hospitals etc. The closed communication system 14 to 18 comprises a local one

Control unit 16, which can be formed for example by a computer, such as. B. from a personal computer. A storage medium 15, which can store large amounts of data, is connected to the control unit 16. The storage medium 15 can be formed, for example, by a group of hard drives, a so-called video server. Other large capacity memories, such as B. writable optical storage, are also suitable for the implementation of the storage medium 15. On the storage medium 15 is a large number of broadcast content, so z. B. Movies recorded. Via a distribution unit 17 connected to the control unit 16, which converts the digitally stored broadcast content into television or video signals, the broadcast content of the storage medium 15 is distributed to a plurality of playback devices 18, which, for. B. are set up in the individual rooms of a hotel and are formed by televisions. In addition to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, in which all the data of the storage medium 15 are passed to the distribution unit 17 via the control unit 16, it can also be provided to provide a direct connection between the storage medium 15 and the distribution unit 17 in order to relieve the control unit 16 , Under control of the control unit 16, the data of the storage medium 15 are then passed directly to the distribution unit 17.

In a known manner, the users of the individual playback devices 18 can select certain transmission contents of the storage medium 15. For example, a remote control belonging to the playback device 18 can be used for this purpose. The corresponding selection signals are passed via the distribution unit 17 to the control unit 16, which controls the storage medium 15 in order to read out the data associated with the selected transmission unit. The data from the distribution unit 17 each

Playback device 18 provided. At the same time, the control unit 16 can calculate a fee, which is calculated for the provision of the broadcast content to the respective user or the respective hotel room in which the playback device 18 is installed. When creating the invoice for the respective hotel room, the corresponding amount is then listed on the invoice.

To avoid misuse, the selected broadcast content can be encrypted by the control unit 16 or the distribution unit 17 such that only the respective playback device 18 from which the broadcast content was selected can represent the selected broadcast content.

The control unit 16 is also connected to a data network 13 with a modem 14. The data network 13 can be a public telephone network, for example. The completed is over the data network 13

Communication system 14 to 18 in connection with a system 10 to 12 of a service provider. The service provider delivers the completed Communication system 14 to 18 new broadcast content, which are stored completely and unencrypted in the local storage medium 15.

The system of the diesel master 10 to 12 consists of a storage medium 10 on which a large number of broadcast contents, e.g. B. Movies is saved. The storage medium 10 may contain digital data and e.g. B. are formed by means of a group of hard drives or optical data carriers. However, it can also include a large number of analog data carriers such as video cassettes with corresponding playback devices. Under the control of a control unit 11, the data of the storage medium 10 are forwarded to a modem 12 which is connected to the data network 13. The storage medium 10 can also be connected directly to the modem 12. The data of the storage medium 10 are then forwarded directly to the modem under the control of the control unit 11 in order to relieve the control unit 11.

The operator of the closed communication system 14 to 18 can conclude a contract with the service provider who operates the system 10 to 12, from which the service provider undertakes to provide the operator of the closed system 14 to 18, for example at regular intervals, e.g. B. weekly to provide new broadcast content. For example, this can be a certain number of films. At an agreed point in time, the data of the corresponding broadcast content are transmitted via the data network 13 from the system of the service provider 10 to 12 to the closed system 14 to 18 and stored there in the local storage medium 15. For this purpose, it can be provided that the data to be transmitted are transmitted in encrypted form by the system of the service provider 10 to 12 via the data network 13 in order to avoid misuse. Decryption takes place in the closed communication system 14 to 18 before the data is stored on the local storage medium 15. The key required for this can be communicated to the operator of the closed communication system 14 to 18 when the contract with the service provider is concluded. It is also possible for the service provider to inform the completed communication system 14 to 18 of the impending transmission of new transmission content via the data network 13. At the same time, a new key can be sent to decrypt the encrypted data.

On the basis of the contract between the service provider and the operator of the closed communication system 14 to 18, the charge for the broadcast content made available can be easily calculated. This can z. B. from the number of broadcast content and the number of playback devices 18. Monitoring the frequency of playback of individual broadcast content by the service provider is therefore unnecessary, which leads to a significant simplification since the service provider does not have to monitor all playback devices.

A bidirectional connection between the system of the service provider 10 to 12 and the closed communication system 14 to 18 can also be provided. Then the closed system 14 to 18 can also request new broadcast content from the system of the service provider 10 to 12.

If a bidirectional connection is provided, the charge can also be calculated in such a way that the control unit 16 of the closed communication system 14 to 18 determines how often the individual transmission contents stored on the storage medium 15 have been called up by the users as a whole. These numbers can be communicated to the system of the service provider 10 to 12 via the data network 13 during the weekly connection. On the basis of these numbers, the fee that the operator of the closed communication system 14 to 18 has to pay the service provider is then calculated.

Since the broadcast content to be transmitted does not have to be able to be displayed in real time on the playback devices 18 of the closed communication system 14 to 18, a small bandwidth is sufficient for the transmission of the broadcast content. It is also possible to transmit the broadcast content in packets. In this case, the data network 13 can be formed by the Internet. As indicated in FIG. 1 by a modem 14 ', two or more closed communication systems can be connected to the system of the service provider 10 to 12 via the data network 13. In this case, different broadcasting systems 14, ... and 14 ', ... can simultaneously receive new transmission content via the data network 13, e.g. B. a certain film which is provided for all closed communication systems 14, ... and 14 ', ...

The data transmission can take place in compressed form, for example the data of the transmission contents can be encoded for the transmission according to MPEG. The storage of the data in the storage media 10 and 15 can also take place in a compressed form, e.g. B. MPEG.

The completed communication system 14 to 18 can include other signal sources for playback, e.g. B. free-to-air television channels. In addition, it can be provided to users other information such. B. to provide alarm information. Such a communication system is manufactured, for example, by the patent applicant and sold under the name ASIS.

Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of a system for the delivery of broadcast content for operators of a closed communication system 14 to 18, in particular for a communication system for hotels, hospitals, etc. The closed communication system 14 to 18 and the system of the service provider 10 to 12 corresponds to that in Figure 1 systems shown and includes all the variants described for the embodiment of Figure 1. 1, a satellite connection 20 to 26 is provided between the system of the service provider 10 to 12 and the closed communication system 14 to 18. The satellite connection 20 to 26 on the service provider side consists of a transmitter 20 with an antenna 21. The transmitter 20 is connected to the control unit 11. On the side of the closed communication system 14 to 18, a receiver 26 with an antenna 25 is provided. The receiver 26 is connected to the control unit 16 connected. Transmitter 20 and receiver 26 are connected via their antennas 21 and 25 via a satellite 23 with receiving and transmitting antennas 22 and 24.

The transmission of new broadcast contents from the system of the service provider 10 to 12 to the closed communication system 14 to 18 thus takes place by means of a high data rate via the satellite connection 20 to 26. The control can, as described above for FIG. 1, take place via a data network 13 or by specification Broadcast times should be regulated. -0

As indicated in FIG. 2, further closed communication systems 14 ', ... can be present. In this case, new broadcast content can be transmitted simultaneously via satellite connection to several closed communication systems 14, ... and 14 ', ... with a high data rate5.

In addition to the satellite connection shown in FIG. 2, other connections with a high data rate can be used to transmit the broadcast content, e.g. B. Transmission using fiber optic cables, broadband cable networks or radio links.

Claims

1. System for the delivery of broadcast content for a completed

Communication system (14 to 18), in particular for hotels, hospitals, etc., comprising: a writable storage medium (15), a first control unit (16), a distribution unit (17), a plurality of playback devices (18), on which writable storage medium (15) stored

Broadcast content under the control of the control unit (16) via the cost unit (17) to certain playback devices from the large number of playback devices

(18) are distributed, calculating and allocating a charge to the particular playback devices, and which further comprises: a storage medium (10) with a large number of broadcast contents, a second control unit (11), and at least one data connection (12, 13 , 14; 20 to 26) between the first

Control unit (16) and second control unit (11), wherein, controlled by the second control unit (11), at least one selection of the transmission contents from the plurality of transmission contents of the storage medium (10) via the data connection (12, 13, 14; 20 to 26 ) is transmitted, the selected broadcast contents being complete, and under the control of the first

Control unit (16) unencrypted on the writable storage medium

(15) can be recorded.

2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the data connection (12,13,14) consists of a telephone network (13) and modems (12,14).

3. System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the data connection (12, 13, 14) is realized by means of an Internet connection.

4. System according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the data connection (20 to 26) is a broadband connection, in particular a satellite connection or an optical fiber connection.

5. System according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the data connection (12, 13, 14; 20 to 26) is encrypted.

6. System according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the writable storage medium (15) is formed by a group of hard disks.

7. System according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the writable storage medium (15) is formed by an optical memory.

8. Method for the delivery of broadcast content for a closed communication system (14 to 18), in particular for hotels, hospitals, etc., in which broadcast content stored on a recordable storage medium (15) is distributed to specific users among a large number of users (18) , calculating and allocating a charge to the account of the specific user, the broadcast content stored on the writable storage medium (15) being at least a selection from a multiplicity of broadcast content of a storage medium (10), the selected broadcast content being entirely from the storage medium (10) Be made available and transferred to the writable storage medium (15), on which the complete broadcast contents are recorded in unencrypted form.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that a selection from the plurality of broadcast content is made at predetermined time intervals.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that a fee is calculated depending on the selection from the plurality of broadcast content.