JP2000115047A - Data distribution system using satellite links - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide a data distribution system capable of simultaneously and rapidly distributing a large amount of data to a large number of reception destinations. Further, the present invention provides a data distribution system capable of ensuring security in simultaneous distribution of such large-volume data to a large number of destinations. A satellite broadcasting device for broadcasting data through a satellite line and a plurality of data receiving devices are provided. Then, each of the plurality of data receiving devices inquires of the satellite broadcasting device about key information having at least a data broadcasting start time. The data receiving apparatus is further characterized by receiving satellite broadcast data based on the data broadcast start time in the key information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a data distribution system using a satellite line. In particular, the present invention relates to a system for distributing a game program for a video game to a game center or the like requested to transmit via a satellite line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Video game machines are installed in amusement facilities, game centers, and the like, which are deployed all over the country. In such a video game device, a game program is executed by a CPU, and a game screen is displayed on a display device.
Further, the game proceeds under the control of the game program in response to the operation of the player.

Further, by changing a game program installed in a video game apparatus, a different video game can be played. Therefore, it is important for the operation of the game facility or game center operator to have a game device that executes a video game that makes the player more interested or motivated to participate in the game.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to obtain the latest game information as soon as possible so as to be compatible with a video game apparatus in a game facility or a game center. On the other hand, recent game programs have increased in scale,
It has a capacity of MB and is often stored on a CD-ROM.

[0005] Therefore, providing a large-capacity game program on a CD-ROM is one method. However, in the case of providing on a CD-ROM, physical transportation to a plurality of locations, that is, a plurality of game centers is required.

Further, in the delivered game center, it is necessary to install a program in each video game device. Even a 12-times speed CD-ROM reading device can read data from a CD-ROM by about 1 to 1.
Takes 2 minutes.

Therefore, when a large number of game devices are installed, it takes a long time to complete the installation. From such a point, the provision by the CD-ROM is not advantageous logistics in terms of both speed and economy.

On the other hand, it is conceivable to distribute a game program by computer communication. However, in modem communication through a general telephone communication network, for example, 33.6K
It takes six and a half hours to transmit 100 Mbps data using a bps modem. Similarly, when the ISDN line is used, the speed is 64 Kbps, and it takes three and a half hours. Even in the case of such wired communication, it takes a long time to transmit the program, which is not practical.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a data distribution system capable of simultaneously and rapidly distributing a large amount of data to a large number of recipients.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a data distribution system capable of securing security in simultaneous distribution of such large-volume data to a large number of destinations.

[0011]

The basic structure of a data distribution system that achieves the above object of the present invention has a satellite broadcasting device for broadcasting data through a satellite line, and a plurality of data receiving devices. Then, each of the plurality of data receiving devices inquires the satellite broadcasting device for key information having data broadcasting start information. The data receiving apparatus may further receive satellite broadcast data from the satellite broadcast apparatus based on data broadcast start information in the key information sent in response to the key information inquiry from the satellite broadcast apparatus. .

In one embodiment, the broadcast start information has a broadcast start time of the data.

Further, as another aspect, in the one aspect, the broadcast start information includes a broadcast end time of the data.

[0014] In one embodiment, the basic configuration is characterized in that the broadcast start information is identification information for identifying a head of the transmitted data.

As still another aspect, in the basic configuration, the data receiving apparatus inquires the satellite broadcasting apparatus about key information having at least a data transmission start time, and the satellite broadcasting apparatus responds to the inquiry. The transmission of the key information to the data receiving device is performed through a wired line.

In one embodiment, the wired line is:
It is a public telephone network.

Further, as one aspect, the data broadcast from the satellite broadcasting device through a satellite line is a game program for a video game.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the figures, the same or
Similar components will be described with the same reference numerals or reference symbols.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a data distribution system using a satellite line according to the present invention. In the following description, a game program is assumed as data to be distributed, but the data distribution system according to the present invention is not limited to being applied to distribution of a game program.

FIG. 1 is a data diagram using the satellite line of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a data distribution system. Day
Distribution source, that is, the program provider 1 uses a satellite broadcasting device.
Through a wired line, for example, a public telephone line 4
And a plurality of data receiving devices 2 ₁~ 2_nConnected to

Each of the plurality of data receiving devices 2 ₁ to 2 _n is, as an embodiment, a game facility such as a game center. As will be described later, the data receiving device 2 as a game facility includes a plurality of terminals, that is, a video game device.

[0023] As a feature of the present invention, to relay broadcast satellite 3, the program data from the program provider 1 is a satellite broadcasting system through the satellite line 30 is delivered to a plurality of data receiving apparatus 2 ₁ to 2 _n. Further, the data receiving device 2
The distributed program data is installed in a plurality of terminals provided in the terminal, that is, the video game device. Therefore, the player can enjoy the video game by executing the program data in each video game device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the respective configuration examples of a plurality of data receiving apparatus 2 ₁ to 2 _n is the game facilities as the above-described embodiment. Satellite broadcasting (CS) receiver 20
Receives program data transmitted from the program provider 1 through the satellite line 30 in accordance with a feature of the present invention described later.

The satellite broadcast receiver 20 is connected to a master computer 21 which is a personal computer. The master computer 21 is connected to the satellite receiver 20.
To receive program data.

Further, the master computer 21 has:
Through the hub (HUB) 23, each plurality of terminals 22 ₀
It is connected to a plurality of terminal groups having 22 _n , 23 ₀ to 23 _n , and 24 _{0 to} 24 _n to form a LAN.

Each of the terminal groups has one master terminal (22 ₀ , 23 ₀ , 24 ₀ ) and a plurality of slave terminals (2 ₀ , 2 ₀ , 2 ₀ ).
2 ₁ -22 _n , 23 ₁ -23 _n , 24 ₁ -24 _n ), and each terminal executes the game program and changes the character image display according to the player's operation to change the video image. It is a video game device for enjoying a game.

Further, in each terminal group, the master terminal and the plurality of slave terminals are connected in a loop in the configuration of FIG. The connection configuration in the group may be configured to be connected in series instead of a loop.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the satellite broadcast (CS) receiver 20 and the master computer 21 in the data receiving device 2. The satellite broadcast receiver 20 has a CP
It has a satellite broadcast (CS) tuner 202 connected to a satellite antenna that is controlled by U200 and receives program data sent by satellite link 30.

Further, there is provided a ROM 201 in which a control program executed and controlled by the CPU 200 is stored. It is connected to the master computer 21 through the interface circuit 203.

As will be described later, at a predetermined time,
The master computer 21 sends a reception command to the satellite broadcast receiver 20. Based on the reception command, the satellite broadcast receiver 20 has a RAM 204 that receives and temporarily stores the program data transmitted by the satellite line 30.

On the other hand, in FIG. 3, the master computer 21 has a CPU 210 for executing a control program stored in the ROM 211. Further, it has a main working memory 214 and a hard disk memory 213 for storing program data transmitted by the satellite line 30.

Further, the master computer 21 has:
Wired line, through a modem 216, interface circuit 212 and the hub 23 is connected to the satellite receiver 20 connected to a public telephone line 4 as an example, the master terminal 22 _0, 23 _0, 24 ₀ and connected thereto I / O terminal 215
Having. Timer 216 generates a reference time for CPU 210 to transmit a reception command to satellite broadcast receiver 20.

[0034] Figure 4, a plurality of terminals 22 ₀ ~22 _n, 23 ₀
Configuration Example of ~23 _n, 24 ₀ ~24 _n is a block diagram showing a representative. The basic configuration is the same as a normal video game device. A hard disk drive 223 is provided if necessary. It has a ROM 221 storing a control program executed and controlled by the CPU 220, and a RAM 222 storing program data transmitted by the satellite line 30.

In FIG. 2, through the I / O terminal 224, the terminal is connected to the next terminal and the previous terminal in each terminal group connected in a loop. In particular, the master terminal 22 _0, 23 _0, 24 _0, further through the I / O terminal 225, through a hub 23 is connected to the master computer 21.

Accordingly, the I / O terminal 224 has a function of taking in program data sent from a terminal in the same terminal group and transferring the program data to the next terminal as it is.

The operation of receiving the program data from the program provider 1 in the above configuration according to the present invention will be described with reference to the operation time chart of FIG.

The key information is requested from the modem 216 of the master computer 21 of the data receiving apparatus 2 to the program provider 1 through the public telephone line 4 (step S).
1). On the other hand, the program provider 1 determines whether or not the data receiving device 2 that has requested the key information is a registrant having service receiving qualification (step S2).

If the registrant is qualified to receive the service, the requested key information is
(Step S3).

On the other hand, the program provider 1
0 is broadcast to unspecified majority. However, in order to receive specific program data, the data transfer rate is 1.2 Mbps, so it is virtually impossible to receive the program data without knowing the broadcast time.

Therefore, in the present invention, the key information sent from the program provider 1 includes start time data at which specific program data is broadcast. Also, if necessary, broadcast end time data of specific program data is included.

When the master computer 21 receives the key information through the public telephone line 4, the CPU 210
Extracts start time data at which specific program data is broadcast from the key information.

Then, a timing synchronized with the extracted time data is generated by the timer 216. Based on this timing, the CPU 210 sends a reception command to the satellite broadcast receiver 20 through the interface circuits 212 and 203. The satellite broadcast receiver 20 starts receiving program data broadcast to an unspecified majority through the satellite line 30 at the broadcast start time included in the reception command (step S4). If the broadcast end time is included, the reception is stopped at the broadcast end time.

The received program data is stored in the RAM 2
04 and temporarily stored in the interface circuits 203 and 21.
2 is downloaded to the hard disk memory 213 of the master computer 21. Then, under the control of the master computer 21, 22 ₀ ~ of the plurality of terminals
The downloaded program data is copied to the RAM 222 of 22 _n , 23 ₀ to 23 _n , and 24 _{0 to} 24 _n .

Therefore, a plurality of terminals 22 _{0 to} 22 _n ,
Run the program data in each of the 23 ₀ ~ 23 _n, the player is able to enjoy the video game.

Here, it has been described that the key information includes the broadcast start time of the specific program data and, if necessary, the broadcast end time. However, in the present invention, the key information is defined as having the broadcast start information. Is possible.

That is, the broadcast start information is constituted by code information for identifying the head of the specific program data and, if necessary, code information for identifying the end of the specific program data. In such a case, the satellite broadcast receiver 20
In the broadcast program data, a point in time that matches the code information is detected. As a result, the program data can be received from the time when the code data matches the code information, and the reception of the program data can be completed.

[0048]

As described above with reference to the drawings, in the data distribution system of the present invention, the broadcast time of data transmitted through a satellite line is transmitted as key information to a registered user, that is, a data receiving device. It is configured like this.

Therefore, only the user who can obtain the key information can receive the data broadcast by satellite. Therefore, in data transmission, security is ensured, and it is possible to prevent unauthorized reception by a person who does not have the reception qualification.

Further, since data is distributed through a satellite line, it is possible to transmit a large amount of data, for example, 100 Mbps data in about 12 minutes. In particular,
With the data distribution system of the present invention, it is possible to distribute a large amount of program data to amusement facilities that are deployed nationwide at the same time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a data distribution system using a satellite line according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a data receiving device 2.

FIG. 3 shows a satellite broadcast receiver 20 in the data receiving device 2.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a master computer 21.

[4] a plurality of terminals _{22 0 ~22 n, 2,3 0 ~23} n, 2
4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of ₀ to 24 _n.

FIG. 5 is an operation time chart corresponding to FIG. 3;

[Description of Signs] 1 Data distribution source, program provider 2 ₁ to 2 _n Data receiving device 3 Broadcast satellite 30 satellite line 4 Public telephone line 20 Satellite broadcast receiver 21 Master computer 22 _{0 to} 22 _n , 2, 30 ₀ to 23 _n , 24 _{0 to} 24 _n 22 ₁ to
22 _m terminal 200, 210 CPU 201, 211 ROM 202 CS tuner 203, 212 Interface circuit 204 Timer 205, 214 RAM 213 Hard disk device 215 I / O device

Claims (7)

[Claims] A satellite broadcasting device for broadcasting data through a satellite line, and a plurality of data receiving devices, each of the plurality of data receiving devices has data broadcasting start information for the satellite broadcasting device. Inquiring for key information, the data receiving apparatus further performs satellite broadcasting from the satellite broadcasting apparatus based on data broadcasting start information in the key information transmitted in response to the key information inquiry from the satellite broadcasting apparatus. A data distribution system using a satellite line, characterized by receiving data. 2. The data distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the broadcast start information includes a broadcast start time of the data. 3. The data distribution system according to claim 2, wherein the broadcast start information includes a broadcast end time of the data. 4. The data distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the broadcast start information is identification information for identifying a head of the transmitted data. 5. The data receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data receiving apparatus inquires the satellite broadcasting apparatus about key information having data transmission start information, and
The transmission of the key information from the satellite broadcasting device to the data receiving device in response to the inquiry is performed via a wired line, and a data distribution system using a satellite line. 6. The data distribution system according to claim 5, wherein the wired line is a public telephone network. 7. The data distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the data broadcast from the satellite broadcasting device through a satellite line is a game program for a video game.