JP2000174649A - Digital broadcasting receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital broadcasting receiver capable of not displaying program names and program contents in an EPG(electronic program guide) or disabling program tuning and displaying them, or enabling display and tuning as needed corresponding to conditions. SOLUTION: This receiver is for receiving digital broadcasting for multiplexing program information corresponding to respective programs included in respective services to a stream for which the plural services are multiplexed and transmitting it and is provided with a demultiplex circuit 214 for extracting first category information relating to the category of the respective programs from the program information and a memory 222 for holding second category information inputted beforehand. The two pieces of the category information are compared, and when the two of the category information match, the bit map data of a masking character string are transferred to the prescribed area of the memory 216 for OSD(on-screen display).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital broadcast receiver, and more particularly, to a digital broadcast receiver capable of appropriately hiding predetermined information included in program information of a program to be received.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional digital broadcasting receiver, D
There is an apparatus for receiving digital broadcasting conforming to VB (Digital Video Broadcasting). Hereinafter, a digital broadcast receiver conforming to DVB will be described as an example of one of the digital broadcast receivers.

Generally, in digital broadcasting, a single repeater can transmit a plurality of services. Each service is composed of one or more compressed video signal streams or audio signal streams. Therefore, a signal transmitted from one repeater includes a plurality of streams, and these streams are packetized and multiplexed. In DVB-compliant digital broadcasting, MPEG (Moving Picture Coding Expert Group)
Video and audio signals are compressed using the MPE method
Multiplexing is performed according to the method specified by G. The multiplexed signal is called a transport stream.

[0004] This transport stream includes S
Service information for selecting a service called I (Service Information) and transmitting additional information of the service is multiplexed. Among the additional information of the service specified by DVB, an SDT (Service Description Table) in which information related to the service is placed,
EIT with information about each program in service
(Event Information Table), TDT (Time Date Table) in which information of the current date and time is placed, and the like.
In the EIT, program name information, program content information, viewing age information, genre information, and the like are placed in association with each program. The digital broadcast receiver refers to the additional information of the service and refers to the EPG (Electronic Program Guide).
It has the function of constructing an electronic program guide called “Electronic Program Guide” and displaying it on a monitor. The EPG is generally displayed on a monitor using an OSD (On Screen Display) function provided in the digital broadcast receiver.

[0005] One feature of the digital broadcast receiver is that the number of viewers can be limited. For example, in a digital broadcast receiver, the viewing age can be limited.

However, in the conventional digital broadcast receiver, the video signal and the audio signal are masked according to the viewing age, but the program name and the program contents are displayed using the OSD. In this case, the program name, program content,
If you send information that is better for a limited audience,
Anyone can watch. In particular, program names and program contents in which sexual descriptions or violent expressions are given are ethically problematic unless parental restrictions are imposed.

[0007]

In the conventional digital broadcast receiver, the program name and the program contents in the EPG are all displayed even in a program for which the viewing age is restricted.

[0008] In this case, anyone can view the program even if the information is transmitted in such a way that the viewer should be limited to the program name and the program contents. In particular, program names and program contents in which sexual descriptions or violent expressions are given are ethically problematic unless viewing restrictions are imposed.

According to the present invention, the display of the program name and program contents in the EPG is not performed according to the conditions,
When it is desired to display the program name and the program contents in
It is an object of the present invention to propose a digital broadcast receiver that limits the program title and the viewers of the program contents in the PG.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method for receiving a digital broadcast in which program information corresponding to each program included in each service is multiplexed and transmitted in a stream in which a plurality of services are multiplexed. Receiver,
Means for extracting first genre information relating to the genre of each program from the program information, means for holding second genre information input in advance, and comparing the two genre information to obtain the two genre information Means for preventing the program information of the program from which the first genre information has been extracted from being displayed on the monitor if the two match. With such a configuration, program information of a genre that is not desirable to be displayed can be hidden.

When the viewing age included in the program information is higher than a preset viewing age, such program information is not displayed on the monitor, so that it can be displayed depending on the age of the viewer. Unwanted program information can be hidden.

When the current time is not included in a preset non-display time zone, program information is displayed,
In a specific time zone (for example, at midnight), program information can be displayed regardless of the genre of the program or the age of the viewer.

[0013] In addition, when the input of the personal identification number is requested, and the input personal identification number is correct, the program information is displayed, so that the program information is displayed regardless of the program genre, the age of the viewer, and the time zone. You can do so.

Further, instead of hiding the program information, program selection may be disabled.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment of the Invention) Based on genre information in an EIT, it is desired to mask the display of a program name and program contents in an EPG and to see the display of the program name and program contents in the EPG. The first embodiment of the present invention is a digital broadcast receiver that enables viewing by inputting a password.

First, the genre indicated by the genre information in the EIT is divided into a program name and a genre (viewing restriction genre) for which the display of the program contents should be masked, and a genre which is not. Which genre is a parental control genre?
It is set in advance in a memory or an IC card in the digital broadcast receiver. This setting may be arbitrarily set by the user. The viewing restriction genre includes, for example, a genre classified as an adult (having sex description).

FIG. 1 shows a processing procedure of the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration of the first embodiment. Terminal 20
A transport stream modulated to 1 is input,
The signal is demodulated through the tuner 210 and the demodulation circuit 211. Thereafter, the error is corrected by the error correction circuit 212 and descrambled by the descramble circuit 213. After descrambling, one video signal and one audio signal are extracted by the demultiplexing circuit 214 and passed to the MPEG decoder 215. MP
The EG decoder 215 decodes the video signal and the audio signal, and supplies them to the synthesizing circuit 218. OSD control circuit 217
Reads the OSD data stored in the OSD memory 216 and passes it to the synthesizing circuit 218. The OSD data is usually stored as a bitmap in the OSD memory 21.
6 is held. In the synthesizing circuit 218, under the control of the OSD control circuit 217, the OSD data output from the OSD control circuit 217 and the MPEG-decoded video signal output from the MPEG decoder 215 are synthesized and input to the display processing circuit 219. ing. Display processing circuit 219
In the above, the video signal output from the synthesizing circuit 218 is subjected to predetermined processing such as appropriately applying an upsampling filter, and is output to the monitor 220.

The tuner 210 and the demodulation circuit 21
1, an error correction circuit 212, a descrambling circuit 213,
Demultiplexing circuit 214, MPEG decoder 21
5, OSD memory 216, OSD control circuit 217, synthesis circuit 218, display processing circuit 219, memory 222, I
The C card interface 223 is
21. The memory 222 includes a CPU 22
1 stores programs to be executed and various data. Further, the CPU 221 communicates with the IC card 224 through the IC card interface 223.

The demultiplex circuit 214 not only extracts one video signal and one audio signal, but also
Additional information of services such as T, EIT, TDT, etc.
22 to a predetermined area. This information is
A bitmap of the EPG is used under the control of the CPU 221 to construct a PG, etc.
Has been created.

The processing procedure in the case where the display of the program name in the EPG is masked in accordance with the genre indicated by the genre information and the masked program name can be viewed by inputting a personal identification number will be described. EIT multiplexed in the transport stream by the demultiplex circuit 214
Is separated and transferred to a predetermined area of the memory 222. CP
The U221 processes the EIT stored in the memory 222 according to the procedure shown in FIG. 1, and masks the program name displayed on the EPG according to the genre information.

First, when an instruction to display the EPG on the monitor 220 reaches the CPU 221 by a key input from the remote controller or the digital broadcast receiver (step 101 in FIG. 1).
The CPU 221 stores the EIT stored in the memory 222.
One program is selected from the programs to be displayed on the EPG, and the program name information of the program is found (FIG. 1 process 10).
2), converting the program name information into bitmap data;
It is stored in a predetermined area of the memory 222 (FIG. 1 process 1).
03). Further, the CPU 221 finds genre information of the program to be displayed on the EPG from the EIT held in the memory 222 (process 104 in FIG. 1).

Next, it is checked whether or not the genre indicated by the genre information corresponds to the viewing restriction genre (process 105 in FIG. 1).

If the genre indicated by the genre information is a parental control genre, the mask character string stored in the memory 222 (****, etc., may be anything if the program name is unknown). The bitmap data is transferred to a predetermined area of the OSD memory 216 (FIG. 1, process 106). The predetermined area of the OSD memory 216 is an area for transferring data obtained by converting the program name information of the selected program into bitmap data.

On the other hand, if the genre indicated by the genre information is not the parental control genre in the processing 105 in FIG. 1, the data obtained by converting the program name information held in the memory 222 into bitmap data is stored in the OSD memory 21.
6 is transferred to a predetermined area (FIG. 1, process 107).

The above processing is repeated for each program to construct EPG bitmap data on the OSD memory 216. The OSD control circuit 217 converts the bit map data of the EPG on the OSD memory 216 into
The image is superimposed on the MPEG decoded signal input from the MPEG decoder 215 and displayed on the monitor 220.
The monitor 220 displays the EPG in the state shown in FIG.
Is displayed. Cell 301 and cell 302 surrounded by thick lines
Is a program in the parental level genre, and only for this program, the program name is displayed as a mask character string. For other programs, the program name is displayed correctly.

In FIG. 3A, when masking the program names of the cells 301 and 302 of the program of the parental control genre, the mask character string is not used, and a different color from the other cells is used. , Can also be patterned.
At this time, in the processing 106 of FIG. 1, the mask character string **** is not transferred to a predetermined area of the OSD memory 216, but a portion corresponding to the cell 301 and the cell 302 on the OSD memory 216 is used instead. By changing the data of the bit map, it is possible to perform color coding and patterning.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, a description will be given of the control when the user wants to display the program name displayed in the mask character string with the correct program name.

First, the user moves a cursor on the EPG by operating keys on a remote controller or a digital broadcast receiver. The cursor moves while selecting a cell indicating each program. Here, the CPU 221
Checks whether the program name of the cell selected by the cursor is displayed as a mask character string (step 401 in FIG. 4). If the program name of the selected cell is displayed as a mask character string, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), "To display the program name, a password is required. Press the A button.
Please enter your PIN. Is displayed on the monitor 220. At this time, the CPU 221
Checks whether there is an instruction to shift to the password input mode (step 402 in FIG. 4). Here, the A button of the remote control or the digital broadcast receiver is pressed,
When the CPU 221 is instructed to shift to the password input mode, a message "Please enter a 4-digit password" is displayed as shown in FIG. Enter the password using the numeric keys on the digital broadcast receiver. By this processing, the CPU 221 can acquire the password input by the user (step 403 in FIG. 4).

Thereafter, the CPU 221 checks whether or not the personal identification number input by the user is equal to the personal identification number held in the IC card 224 (Step 40 in FIG. 4).
4).

If the password entered by the user is the same as the password held in the IC card, the data obtained by converting the program name information of the program selected by the cursor held in the memory 222 into a bitmap is converted into an OSD. Is transferred to a predetermined area of the memory 216 for use (process 405 in FIG. 4). The predetermined area of the OSD memory 216 is an area where a program name of a selected program is to be held.
This is the area where the mask character string is held. When the bitmap data of the program name of the program selected by the cursor is transferred to a predetermined area of the OSD memory 216, FIG.
As shown in (d), the correct program name "Adult A" is the EPG
Will be displayed.

In the process 404 of FIG. 4, if the password input by the user is not equal to the password held in the IC card 224, the monitor 22 checks that the password is different.
0, etc. to inform the user (FIG. 4 process 40).
6).

Next, a case will be described with reference to FIG. 5 in which a program name of a certain program is replaced with a mask character string in accordance with the genre information when the program name is displayed on the monitor 220 while the program is being received. In this case, it can be performed in the same manner as in the case of the EPG.

When an instruction to display the program name of the currently received program on the monitor 220 reaches the CPU 221 by a key input from the remote controller or the digital broadcast receiver (step 501 in FIG. 5), the CPU 221 stores the program name in the memory 222. The program name information of the program currently being received is found from among the EITs that have been received (process 502 in FIG. 5), and then the program name information is converted into bitmap data and stored in a predetermined area of the memory 222 ( FIG. 5 processing 503). Also, CPU2
21 finds the genre information of the program currently being received from the EIT stored in the memory 222 (process 504 in FIG. 5).

Here, it is checked whether the genre indicated by the genre information is a viewing restriction genre (step 505 in FIG. 5).

If the genre indicated by the genre information indicates a parental control genre, the memory 2
The bitmap data of the mask character string (eg, ****, etc., if the program name is unknown) stored in the memory 22 is transferred to a predetermined area of the OSD memory 216 (step 506 in FIG. 5). The predetermined area of the OSD memory 216 is an area for transferring data obtained by converting the program name information of the selected program into bitmap data.

On the other hand, if the genre indicated by the genre information is not the viewing restriction genre in the processing 505 in FIG. 5, the data obtained by converting the program name information stored in the memory 222 into bitmap data is stored in the OSD memory 21.
6 (step 507 in FIG. 5).

By performing the above processing, the OSD memory 216
When the bitmap data of the program name is constructed above, if the genre information indicates the viewing restricted genre, FIG.
The program name in the cell 601 is displayed as a mask character string as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 6A, when the program name in the cell 601 is masked, the program name can be color-coded or patterned without using a mask character string. In this case, in the process 506 in FIG.
Instead of transferring the mask character string to a predetermined area of the OSD memory 216, instead of changing the bitmap data of the portion corresponding to the cell 601 on the OSD memory 216, it is possible to perform color coding or patterning. it can.

Next, a case where the user wants to display a program name displayed as a mask character string with a correct program name will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the CPU 221 checks whether or not the program name of the program currently being received is displayed as a mask character string (Step 701 in FIG. 7). If the program name of the program currently being received is displayed as a mask character string, as shown in FIG. 6 (b), "To display the program name, a password is required. Press the A button and enter the password. Please. "
Is displayed on the monitor 220. At this time, the CPU 221 checks whether there is an instruction to shift to the personal identification number input mode (Step 7 in FIG. 7).
02). Here, when the user presses the A button of the remote control or the digital broadcast receiver and instructs the CPU 221 to shift to the security code input mode, the user enters a "four-digit security code as shown in FIG. Please enter the password using the numeric keys on the remote control or digital broadcast receiver. Through this process, the CPU 221 can acquire the password input by the user (Step 703 in FIG. 7).

Thereafter, the CPU 221 checks whether or not the password input by the user is equal to the password held in the IC card 224 (Step 70 in FIG. 7).
4).

If the personal identification number entered by the user is equal to the personal identification number held in the IC card 224, the data obtained by converting the program name information of the program currently being received stored in the memory 222 into a bitmap is converted into an OSD. Memory 21
6 (step 705 in FIG. 7). Said O
The predetermined area of the SD memory 216 is an area in which a program name of a program currently being received is to be stored, and before transfer, is an area in which a mask character string is stored. When the bitmap data of the program name of the program currently being received is transferred to a predetermined area of the OSD memory 216, the correct program name "Adult A" is displayed as shown in FIG. .

In the process 704 of FIG. 7, if the password input by the user is not equal to the password held in the IC card 224, the monitor 22 checks that the password is different.
0 to notify the user (FIG. 7, process 70).
6).

Next, a method of replacing the program content display with a mask character string according to genre information will be described with reference to FIG. In this case, the same procedure can be performed.

When an instruction to display the program content of the selected program on the monitor 220 reaches the CPU 221 by a key input from the remote controller or the digital broadcast receiver (Step 801 in FIG. 8), the CPU 221 stores the program content in the memory 222. The program name information of the program selected from the selected EIT is found (step 802 in FIG. 8), and then the program name information is converted into bitmap data and stored in a predetermined area of the memory 222 (FIG. 8). Process 803). Also, the CPU 22
2 finds the program content information of the program selected from the EIT held in the memory 222 (see FIG.
04) Then, the program content information is converted into bitmap data and stored in a predetermined area of the memory 222 (FIG. 8, process 805). After that, the CPU 221
The genre information of the program selected from the EIT stored in the EIT 2 is found (step 806 in FIG. 8).

Here, it is checked whether or not the genre indicated by the genre information indicates a viewing restricted genre (step 807 in FIG. 8). If the genre indicated by the genre information indicates the parental control genre, the mask character string (***) held in the memory 222 in advance is used.
The program transfers bitmap data of a program name (*, etc., if the program name and program contents are unknown) to a predetermined area of the OSD memory 216 (step 808 in FIG. 8). The predetermined area of the OSD memory 216 is an area for transferring data obtained by converting program name information and program content information of a selected program into bitmap data.

On the other hand, if the genre indicated by the genre information is not the viewing restriction genre in the processing 807 in FIG. 8, the program name information and the program content information stored in the memory 222 are converted into bitmap data. OS
The data is transferred to a predetermined area of the memory 216 for D (step 8 in FIG. 8).
09).

By performing the above processing, the OSD memory 216
When the bitmap data for displaying the program name and the program content is constructed above, if the genre information indicates the viewing restricted genre, the program name and the program content are displayed as a mask character string as shown in FIG. .

In FIG. 9A, when the program name in the cell 901 and the program description in the cell 902 are masked, they can be color-coded or patterned without using a mask character string. . At this time, the mask character string is not transferred to a predetermined area of the OSD memory 216 in the processing 808 in FIG.
By changing the bit map data corresponding to the cells 901 and 902 above, it is possible to perform color coding and patterning.

Next, with reference to FIG. 10, a description will be given of a control in a case where the user wants to display a program name displayed as a mask character string and a correct program name and program content.

First, the CPU 221 checks whether or not the program name and program contents of the selected program are displayed as a mask character string (FIG. 10, process 1001). If the program name and the program contents of the selected program are displayed as a mask character string, as shown in FIG. 9B, "A password is required to display the program name. Press the A button to change the password. Please enter a message. "
20 is displayed. At this time, the CPU 221 checks whether there is an instruction to shift to the password input mode (FIG. 10, process 1002). Here, the user presses the A button of the remote control or the digital broadcast receiver, and the CPU 22
If an instruction is given to 1 to shift to the password input mode, a message "Please enter a 4-digit password" as shown in FIG. 9C is displayed.
Enter the password using the numeric keys on the remote control or digital broadcast receiver. With this process,
The CPU 221 can acquire the password input by the user (step 1003 in FIG. 10).

Thereafter, the CPU 221 checks whether or not the password input by the user is equal to the password held in the IC card 224 (step 10 in FIG. 10).
04).

The password entered by the user is the IC card 2
If the password is equal to the password held in the
The data obtained by converting the program name information and program content information of the selected program held in the storage 22 into a bitmap is transferred to a predetermined area of the OSD memory 216 (FIG. 10 process 10).
05). The predetermined area of the OSD memory 216 is
This is an area in which the program name and program contents of the selected program should be held, and before transfer, is an area in which a mask character string is held. When the program name and the bitmap data of the program content of the selected program are transferred to a predetermined area of the OSD memory 216, as shown in FIG. 9D, the correct program name "Adult A" and the program content Will be displayed.

In the process 1004 of FIG. 10, if the password input by the user is not the same as the password held in the IC card 224, the user is notified by displaying on the monitor 220 that the password is different (FIG. 10). 10 processing 1006).

In the first embodiment, the genre information is E
The information is not necessarily obtained from the IT, and information indicating a genre stored in another table can be used.

In this way, based on the genre information in the EIT, it is possible to prevent the display of the program name and the program content of the program corresponding to the genre that the user does not want to view for ethical reasons.

(Embodiment 2) When the display of the program name and program contents in the EPG is masked based on the viewing age information in the EIT, and the display of the program name and program contents in the EPG is desired, A second embodiment of the present invention is a digital broadcast receiver which enables viewing by inputting a personal identification number. The hardware configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG.

A description will be given of a processing procedure in the case where the display of the program name in the EPG is masked based on the viewing age information in the EIT, and the masked program name can be viewed by inputting a password.

The demultiplexing circuit 214 separates the EIT multiplexed in the transport stream,
The data is transferred to a predetermined area of the memory 222. CPU 221
Processes the EIT held in the memory 222 according to the procedure shown in FIG. 11, and masks the program name displayed on the EPG according to the viewing age information in the EIT.

Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to FIG. An instruction to display the EPG on the monitor 220 is input to the CPU 2 by a key input on a remote controller or a digital broadcast receiver.
21 (processing 1101 in FIG. 11), the CPU 221
From the EIT stored in the memory 222
One program to be displayed in G is selected, the program name information of the program is found (step 1102 in FIG. 11), the program name information is converted into bitmap data, and stored in a predetermined area of the memory 222 ( FIG. 11 processing 1103). Also, CPU
Reference numeral 221 finds viewing age information of a program to be displayed on the EPG from the EIT stored in the memory 222 (step 1104 in FIG. 11).

Here, the viewing age information is registered in advance in the memory or the IC card 224 in the digital broadcast receiver by the user. In processing 1105 of FIG.
It is checked whether the viewing age information in the EIT is larger than the viewing age information registered by the user in advance.

If the viewing age information in the EIT is larger than the viewing age information registered by the user in advance, a mask character string (such as **** Is transferred to a predetermined area of the OSD memory 216 (step 110 in FIG. 11).
6). The predetermined area of the OSD memory 216 is an area for transferring data obtained by converting the program name information of the selected program into bitmap data.

On the other hand, if the viewing age information in the EIT is smaller than the viewing age information registered by the user in advance in the processing 1105 in FIG.
The data obtained by converting the program name information held in the storage 22 into bitmap data is transferred to the processing area of the OSD memory 216 (processing 1107 in FIG. 11).

The above processing is repeated for each program, and bitmap data of the EPG is constructed on the OSD memory 216. The OSD control circuit 217 converts the bit map data of the EPG on the OSD memory 216 into
The image is superimposed on the MPEG decoded signal input from the MPEG decoder 215 and displayed on the monitor 220.
The monitor 220 displays the EPG in the state shown in FIG.
Is displayed. Cell 301 and cell 302 surrounded by thick lines
Is a program over the viewing age registered by the user, and the program name is displayed as a mask character string only for this program. For other programs, the program name is displayed correctly.

In FIG. 3 (a), when masking the program names of cells 301 and 302 of programs whose viewing age has been registered by the user, a different color from the other cells is used without using a mask character string. They can also be used for color coding and patterning. In this case, the mask character string is not transferred to a predetermined area of the OSD memory 216 in the processing 1106 in FIG.
By changing the data of the bitmap corresponding to the cells 301 and 302 above, it is possible to color-code or pattern.

If the user wants to display the program name displayed in the mask character string with the correct program name, the user can input the correct password to display the original program name. . The procedure for viewing the correct program name using the personal identification number is the same procedure as in the first embodiment.

Hereinafter, the same applies to the case of masking the program name and program contents by comparing the viewing age information in the EIT with the viewing age information registered by the user stored in the memory or the IC card in the digital receiver. The procedure can be performed.

In this way, based on the viewing age information in the EIT, it is possible to prevent the display of the program name and the program content of the program whose viewing age is higher than the viewing age set by the user.

(Embodiment 3) Based on genre information and viewing age information in the EIT, a program name in the EPG,
The third embodiment of the present invention is a digital broadcast receiver that masks the display of the program contents and allows the user to view the display of the program name and program contents in the EPG by inputting a password.

The hardware configuration of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment and is as shown in FIG.

The display of the program name in the EPG is masked according to the genre indicated by the genre information and the viewing age information,
A description will be given of a processing procedure when the masked program name can be viewed only by inputting a personal identification number or only in a predetermined time zone.

The demultiplexing circuit 214 separates the EIT multiplexed in the transport stream,
The data is transferred to a predetermined area of the memory 222. CPU 221
Processes the EIT held in the memory 222 according to the procedure shown in FIG. 12, and masks the program name displayed on the EPG according to the genre information and the viewing age information.

Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to FIG. By key input from the remote control or digital broadcast receiver,
When the instruction to display the EPG on the monitor 220 reaches the CPU 221 (step 1201 in FIG. 12), the CPU 221 selects one program from the EIT stored in the memory 222 from the programs to be displayed on the EPG, and selects the program. The program name information of the program is found (step 1202 in FIG. 12), the program name information is converted into bitmap data, and stored in a predetermined area of the memory 222 (step 1203 in FIG. 12). Also,
The CPU 221 stores the EIT stored in the memory 222.
The genre information and the viewing age information of the program to be displayed on the EPG are found from the above (process 1204 in FIG. 12).

In the processing 1205 in FIG.
It is checked whether the genre indicated by the genre information in the EIT corresponds to the viewing age genre, and whether the viewing age indicated by the viewing age information in the EIT is higher than the viewing age set in advance by the user.

In the processing 1205 in FIG.
If the genre indicating the genre information in the EIT is the viewing restriction genre and the viewing age indicated by the viewing age information in the EIT is higher than the viewing age set by the user in advance, the genre is stored in the memory 222 in advance. The bitmap data of the mask character string (eg, ****, etc., which does not matter if the program name is unknown) is transferred to a predetermined area of the OSD memory 216 (processing 120 in FIG. 12).
6). If not, the data obtained by converting the program name information held in the memory 222 into bitmap data is transferred to a predetermined area of the OSD memory 216 (FIG. 12).
Processing 1207). The predetermined area of the OSD memory 216 for transferring the bitmap data of the mask character string is
Originally, it is an area for transferring data obtained by converting the program name information of the selected program into bitmap data.

The above processing is repeated for each program, and bitmap data of the EPG is constructed on the OSD memory 216. The OSD control circuit 217 converts the bit map data of the EPG on the OSD memory 216 into
The image is superimposed on the MPEG decoded signal input from the MPEG decoder 215 and displayed on the monitor 220.
The monitor 220 displays the EPG in the state shown in FIG.
Is displayed. Cell 301 and cell 302 surrounded by thick lines
Is a program in the parental level genre, and only for this program, the program name is displayed as a mask character string. For other programs, the program name is displayed correctly.

In FIG. 3A, when masking the program names of the cells 301 and 302 of the program of the viewing restricted genre, a color different from other cells is used without using a mask character string. , Can also be patterned.
In this case, the mask character string is not transferred to a predetermined area of the OSD memory 216 in the processing 1206 of FIG.
1. By changing the bitmap data of the portion corresponding to the cell 302, it is possible to perform color coding or patterning.

In the processing 1205 in FIG. 12, the genre indicated by the genre information in the EIT is a viewing restriction genre, or the viewing age indicated by the viewing age information in the EIT is set in advance by the user. If the age is higher than the viewing age, the bitmap data of the mask character string (eg, ****, etc., if the program name is unknown) stored in the memory 222 is stored in the memory 222.
The data is transferred to a predetermined area of the SD memory 216 (step 1206 in FIG. 12). Otherwise, the data obtained by converting the program name information held in the memory 222 into bitmap data is transferred to a predetermined area of the OSD memory 216. In some embodiments.

If the user wants to display the program name displayed in the mask character string with the correct program name, the user can input the correct password to display the original program name. . The procedure for viewing the correct program name using the personal identification number is the same procedure as in the first embodiment. The same procedure can be used to mask the program name and program contents.

In this manner, a specific program name and program contents can be prevented from being displayed according to the genre information and the viewing age information in the EIT.

(Embodiment 4) Genre information in EIT and timer or TD in digital broadcast receiver
T based on the current date / time information obtained from T, masking the display of the program name and program contents in the EPG,
The fourth embodiment of the present invention is directed to a digital broadcast receiver in which, when the user wants to view the display of the program name and the program contents, the user inputs a personal identification number or can view the program only during a predetermined time zone. The hardware configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment and is as shown in FIG.

The demultiplexing circuit 214 separates the EIT and TDT multiplexed in the transport stream and transfers them to a predetermined area of the memory 222, respectively. The CPU 221 controls the E stored in the memory 222
The IT is processed according to the procedure shown in FIG. 13, and the program name displayed on the EPG is masked according to the genre information and the time information.

Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to FIG. By key input from the remote control or digital broadcast receiver,
When an instruction to display the EPG on the monitor 220 reaches the CPU 221 (1301 in FIG. 13), the CPU 221 selects one program to be displayed on the EPG from the EIT stored in the memory 222, and Information is found (process 1302 in FIG. 13), the program name information is converted into bitmap data, and stored in a predetermined area of the memory 222 (process 1303 in FIG. 13). Also, the CPU 221
Finds genre information of a program to be displayed on the EPG from among EITs held in the memory 222 (FIG. 1).
3 processing 1304). Next, the current date / time information is obtained from the timer in the digital broadcast receiver or the TDT held in the memory 222, and the current date / time is obtained (FIG. 13 process 1305). It is assumed that the timer in the digital broadcast receiver has been set to the correct date and time in advance.

Next, it is checked whether or not the genre indicated by the genre information is a viewing restriction genre (step 1306 in FIG. 13), and whether or not the current date / time is in a viewing-inhibited time zone (FIG. 13). Step 1307) is performed. The information on the unviewable time zone is stored in a memory or an IC card in the digital broadcast receiver in advance. The information on the unviewable time zone can be freely set by the user.

FIG. 13 process 1306 and FIG. 13 process 130
As a result of 7, the genre indicates the viewing restriction genre,
Further, if the current date / time is in the unviewable time zone, the bitmap data of the mask character string (***, etc., which can be anything if the program name is unknown) stored in the memory 222 in advance. To the OSD memory 216
(FIG. 13 process 1308). The predetermined area of the OSD memory 216 is an area for transferring data obtained by converting the program name information of the selected program into bitmap data.

On the other hand, if the genre indicated by the genre information is not the restricted viewing genre as a result of the processing 1306 in FIG. 13, the data obtained by converting the program name information held in the memory 222 into bitmap data is stored in the OSD memory. 2
The data is transferred to 16 predetermined areas (1309 in FIG. 13).
Also, as a result of the processing 1307 in FIG. 13, even when the current date / time is not within the viewing disabled time zone, the data obtained by converting the program name information held in the memory 222 into bitmap data is stored in the OSD memory 216 in a predetermined manner. (1309 in FIG. 13).

The above processing is repeated for each program, and EPG bitmap data is constructed on the OSD memory 216. The OSD control circuit 217 converts the bit map data of the EPG on the OSD memory 216 into
The image is superimposed on the MPEG decoded signal input from the MPEG decoder 215 and displayed on the monitor 220.
The monitor 220 displays the EPG in the state shown in FIG.
Is displayed. Cell 301 and cell 302 surrounded by thick lines
Is a program in the parental level genre, and only for this program, the program name is displayed as a mask character string. For other programs, the program name is displayed correctly.

In FIG. 3A, when masking the program names of the cells 301 and 302 of the program of the parental control genre, the mask character string is not used, and a color different from the other cells is used. , Can also be patterned.
At this time, the mask character string is not transferred to a predetermined area of the OSD memory 216 in the processing 1308 in FIG.
1. By changing the bitmap data of the portion corresponding to the cell 302, it is possible to perform color coding or patterning.

If the user wants to display the program name displayed in the mask character string with the correct program name, the user can input the correct password to display the original program name. . The procedure for viewing the correct program name using the personal identification number is the same procedure as in the first embodiment.

The same procedure can be used to mask the program name and program contents according to the genre indicated by the genre information in the EIT and the current time indicated by the timer or TDT in the digital receiver.

Also in the second and third embodiments, the program name in the EPG and the current date / time information obtained from the timer or TDT in the digital broadcast receiver are used.
When the display of the program contents is masked and the user wants to see the display of the program name and the program contents in the EPG, the user can input a personal identification number or can view only a predetermined time period.

In this way, based on the genre information in the EIT, it is possible to prevent the display of the program name and the program content of the program corresponding to the genre that is not desired to be viewed for ethical reasons. Also, viewing of the program name and program contents can be restricted depending on the time zone.

(Embodiment 5) Based on the genre information in the EIT, a program currently being broadcast is prevented from being selected, and when a correct password is input, a digital broadcast receiver capable of selecting a channel is provided. It is Embodiment 5 of the invention. The hardware configuration of the fifth embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG.

In the demultiplexing circuit 214, the EIT multiplexed in the transport stream is separated.
The data is transferred to a predetermined area of the memory 222. CPU 221
Processes the EIT stored in the memory 222 in accordance with the procedure shown in FIG. 14 and controls a program to be selected.

Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to FIG. By key input from the remote control or digital broadcast receiver,
When the tuning instruction reaches the CPU 221 (FIG. 14, processing 140).
1) The CPU 221 finds the genre information of the selected program from the EIT stored in the memory 222 (FIG. 14, processing 1402). Thereafter, it is checked whether or not the genre indicated by the genre information corresponds to the viewing restriction genre (FIG. 14 processing 1403).

If the genre indicated by the genre information is the viewing genre, then the tuning release mode is set to OF
F (Step 140 in FIG. 14)
4). The tuning cancellation mode is a flag for determining whether or not to execute the tuning, which is held in a memory in the digital broadcast receiver. This flag can be switched by inputting a correct password from the user. If the tuning release mode is ON, the tuning process can be executed (FIG. 14).
Process 1406). Conversely, if the tuning release mode is OFF,
The tuning process cannot be performed (process 1405 in FIG. 14). The channel selection process is, for example, a process of extracting a video stream and an audio stream of a program selected by the user by the demultiplexing circuit 214, decoding the video stream correctly by the MPEG decoder 215, and displaying it on the monitor 220.

In the processing 1404 of FIG. 14, if the tuning release mode is OFF, the tuning processing is not executed (FIG. 14).
Process 1405). At this time, a signal obtained by decoding the video stream and the audio stream of the selected program is not displayed on the monitor 220.

On the other hand, if the genre indicated by the genre information is not the parental control genre in the processing 1403 in FIG. 14, or if the channel selection release mode is not OFF, the channel selection processing is executed (FIG. 14). Process 140
6).

If the above processing is repeated every time a channel selection instruction is given, a program corresponding to the viewing restricted genre cannot be selected. In order to select a program corresponding to the viewing restricted genre, the channel selection release mode must be turned on in the procedure shown in FIG.

Next, a procedure for switching the channel selection cancellation mode will be described with reference to FIGS. In processing 1501 in FIG. 15, the mode shifts to a mode in which channel selection cancellation mode switching is executed by key input from a remote controller or a digital broadcast receiver. When the mode shifts to the mode for switching the channel selection cancellation mode, a screen as shown in FIG. 16A is displayed, and the user is prompted to input a password.
Here, when the user inputs the password, the CPU 221
Acquires the password (step 1502 in FIG. 15) and checks whether the password input by the user is equal to the password previously stored in the IC card (FIG. 1).
5 processing 1503).

As a result, if the password input by the user is correct, a screen as shown in FIG.
Displayed as 0. Here, the user sets ON / OFF of the channel selection release mode by key input from the remote controller or the digital broadcast receiver (processing 1504 in FIG. 15).
After setting the tuning release mode, the mode is switched from the mode of switching the tuning release mode by a key input from the remote control or the digital broadcast receiver (Process 1 in FIG. 15).
505).

In the above-described process 1504, when the channel selection cancel mode is set to ON, it is possible to select a channel even in a program corresponding to the viewing restriction genre.

On the other hand, if the password input by the user is not correct, the setting of the channel selection cancellation mode cannot be changed, and the mode for switching the channel selection cancellation mode is left as it is.

Further, as in the first embodiment, which genre is the viewing restricted genre is set in advance in a memory or an IC card in the digital broadcast receiver. This setting may be arbitrarily set by the user. The viewing restriction genre is classified into, for example, an adult (having sex description).

In the fifth embodiment, the channel selection is controlled based on the genre information in the EIT. However, similarly to the second embodiment, the channel selection may be controlled based on the viewing age information in the EIT. it can. At this time, in the processing 1402 in FIG.
Finding the viewing age information corresponding to the selected program, Figure 1
4 In processing 1403, it is checked whether the viewing age indicated by the viewing age information is higher than the viewing age set by the user in advance. In the processing 1403 in FIG. 14, if the viewing age indicated by the viewing age information is higher than the viewing age set by the user in advance, the processing 1404 in FIG. 14 is executed, and if it is lower, the processing 1406 in FIG. 14 is executed.

As in the third embodiment, channel selection can be controlled by using genre information in the EIT and viewing age information together. At this time, genre information corresponding to the selected program and viewing age information are found in the processing 1402 in FIG. Thereafter, in processing 1403 in FIG. 14, whether the genre indicated by the genre information in the EIT corresponds to the viewing restriction genre and whether the viewing age indicated by the viewing age information in the EIT is higher than the viewing age set by the user in advance. Check whether or not.

In the processing 1403 in FIG.
If the genre indicated by the genre information in the EIT is the parental control genre and the viewing age indicated by the viewing age information in the EIT is higher than the viewing age set in advance by the user, the processing 1404 in FIG. 14 is executed. In the opposite case, processing 1406 is executed.

In processing 1403 in FIG. 14, the genre indicated by the genre information in the EIT is a viewing restriction genre, or the viewing age indicated by the viewing age information in the EIT is set in advance by the user. When the age is higher than the viewing age, the processing 1404 in FIG. 14 is executed, and in the opposite case, the processing 1406 can be executed.

In this way, based on the genre information in the EIT, it is possible to prevent a program corresponding to a genre that the user does not want to view ethically from being selected. In addition, when a user wants to select a channel, only a specific user who can input a correct password can select a channel, thereby limiting the number of viewers.

(Embodiment 6) Genre information in EIT and timer or TD in digital broadcast receiver
Based on the current date / time information obtained from T, a digital broadcast receiver that can prevent the currently broadcast program from being selected and input a correct password or select only during a predetermined time zone This is Embodiment 6 of the present invention. The hardware configuration of the sixth embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment and is as shown in FIG.

The demultiplexing circuit 214 separates the EIT multiplexed in the transport stream,
The data is transferred to a predetermined area of the memory 222. CPU 221
Processes the EIT stored in the memory 222 according to the procedure shown in FIG. 17, and controls a program to be selected.

Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to FIG. By key input from the remote control or digital broadcast receiver,
When the tuning instruction reaches the CPU 221 (FIG. 1, processing 170).
1) The CPU 221 finds the genre information of the program selected from the EIT stored in the memory 222 (processing 1702 in FIG. 17). Next, the TD stored in the timer or the memory 222 in the digital broadcast receiver is stored.
The current date / time information is obtained from T, and the current date / time is obtained (process 1703 in FIG. 17). It is assumed that the timer in the digital broadcast receiver has been set to the correct date and time in advance.

Thereafter, the genre indicated by the genre information is
It is checked whether or not the category corresponds to the parental level (process 1704 in FIG. 17).

If the genre indicated by the genre information is a viewing restriction genre, then the current date /
It is checked whether or not the time is in the viewing-impossible time zone (process 1705 in FIG. 17). The information on the unviewable time zone is stored in a memory or an IC card in the digital broadcast receiver in advance. The information on the unviewable time zone can be freely set by the user.

If the current date / time is in the viewing-unavailable time zone, it is next checked whether or not the channel selection cancellation mode is OFF (FIG. 17 processing 1706). The tuning cancellation mode is a flag for determining whether or not to execute the tuning, which is held in a memory in the digital broadcast receiver. This flag can be switched by inputting a correct password from the user. If the channel selection release mode is ON, the channel selection process can be executed (FIG. 17, process 170).
8). Conversely, if the channel selection release mode is OFF, the channel selection process cannot be executed (process 1707 in FIG. 17). What is tuning process?
For example, the processing is such that the video stream and the audio stream of the program selected by the user are extracted by the demultiplexing circuit 214, decoded correctly by the MPEG decoder 215, and displayed on the monitor 220.

In the process 1706 of FIG. 17, if the tuning release mode is OFF, the tuning process is not executed (FIG. 17).
Processing 1707). At this time, the monitor 220 does not display a signal obtained by decoding the video stream and audio stream of the selected program.

On the other hand, if the genre indicated by the genre information is not the restricted viewing genre in processing 1704 in FIG. 17, or if the current date / time is not in the unviewable time zone in processing 1705 in FIG. ,
In the processing 1706 in FIG. 17, the channel selection release mode is OFF.
If not, the channel selection processing is executed (step 1708 in FIG. 17).

Next, in order to turn on the channel selection cancellation mode and select a program corresponding to the viewing restricted genre, the channel selection cancellation mode is turned on according to the procedure shown in FIG. this is,
This is the same as the fifth embodiment.

As in the first embodiment, which genre is the restricted viewing genre is set in advance in a memory or an IC card in the digital broadcast receiver. This setting may be arbitrarily set by the user. The viewing restriction genre is classified into, for example, an adult (having sex description).

In the sixth embodiment, the channel selection is controlled by using the genre information in the EIT together with the date and time. However, as in the second embodiment, the channel selection is performed based on the viewing age information in the EIT. Stations can also be controlled. In this case, FIG.
In 702, the viewing age information corresponding to the selected program is found, and in FIG. 17 processing 1704, it is checked whether the viewing age indicated by the viewing age information is higher than the viewing age set by the user in advance. FIG. 17 process 17
At 04, if the viewing age indicated by the viewing age information is higher than the viewing age set by the user in advance, the processing in FIG. 17 is executed, and if it is lower, the processing in FIG.
8 is executed.

As in the third embodiment, channel selection can be controlled by using genre information in the EIT and viewing age information together. At this time, in processing 1702 in FIG. 17, genre information corresponding to the selected program and viewing age information are found. Thereafter, in processing 1704 in FIG. 17, whether the genre indicated by the genre information in the EIT corresponds to the viewing restriction genre, and the viewing age indicated by the viewing age information in the EIT is higher than the viewing age set in advance by the user. Check whether or not.

In the processing 1704 of FIG.
If the genre indicated by the genre information is the parental control genre and the viewing age indicated by the viewing age information in the EIT is higher than the viewing age set by the user in advance, the processing 1705 in FIG. 17 is executed. In the opposite case, processing 1708 is executed.

In processing 1704 in FIG. 17, the genre indicated by the genre information in the EIT is a viewing restriction genre, or the viewing age indicated by the viewing age information in the EIT is set in advance by the user. If the user is older than the viewing age, the process 1705 in FIG. 17 is executed, and in the opposite case, the process 1708 can be executed.

In this manner, the genre information in the EIT and the current date and time are used together so that a program corresponding to a genre that the user does not want to view for ethical purposes cannot be selected. When it is desired to select a channel, only a specific user who can input a correct password can select a channel, thereby limiting the number of viewers.

[0125]

According to the genre information or the viewing age information of the program or the current date / time, the program name and the program content are not displayed or the program selection is not possible, so that the program of a specific genre or the like can be viewed. Can be disabled.

It is also possible to display the program name of a program of a specific genre or the like only to a viewer who can input a correct personal identification number, or to make it possible to select a program, thereby limiting the number of viewers. It becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a processing procedure for masking a program name on an EPG based on genre information in an EIT according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a digital broadcast receiver according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display example of an EPG according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a processing procedure for displaying a program name on an EPG by inputting a password in the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a processing procedure for masking a program name of a program being received based on genre information in an EIT according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of a program name of a program being received according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 shows a processing procedure for displaying a program name of a program being received according to the first embodiment by inputting a password.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a processing procedure for masking the display of program contents of a selected program based on genre information in the EIT according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a program content display of a selected program in the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a processing procedure for displaying a program content display of a selected program by inputting a password in the first embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a processing procedure for masking a program name on an EPG based on viewing age information in an EIT according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a processing procedure for masking a program name on an EPG based on genre information and viewing age information in an EIT according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a processing procedure for masking a program name on an EPG based on genre information in an EIT and a current time according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a processing procedure of channel selection control based on genre information in an EIT according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a processing procedure of channel selection control using a password in the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a password input screen according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a processing procedure of channel selection control based on genre information in an EIT and a current time according to the sixth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

214: demultiplex circuit, 215: MPEG decoder, 216: OSD memory, 220: monitor, 22
1 CPU, 222 memory, 224 IC card

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 7/16 F term (Reference) 5C063 AB03 AB07 CA40 DA03 DA13 EB33 5C064 BA07 BB10 BC23 BD03 5K061 AA09 BB06 BB07 DD00 FF07 GG09 JJ06 JJ07

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A receiver for receiving a digital broadcast in which program information corresponding to each program included in each service is multiplexed and transmitted in a stream in which a plurality of services are multiplexed, wherein the program information is used for each program. Means for extracting first genre information related to the genre, means for holding second genre information input in advance, and comparing the two genre information. If the two genre information match, the first Means for preventing the program information of the program from which the genre information has been extracted from being displayed on the monitor. 2. A receiver for receiving a digital broadcast in which program information corresponding to each program included in each service is multiplexed and transmitted on a stream in which a plurality of services are multiplexed, and No. 1 showing age restriction
Means for extracting the viewing age of the user, means for holding the second viewing age input in advance, and comparing the two viewing ages, wherein the first viewing age is:
Means for preventing the program information of the program from which the first viewing age is extracted from being displayed on the monitor when the age is higher than the second viewing age. 3. The receiver according to claim 1, wherein the program information is held in a non-display time zone in which the program information is not displayed on a monitor, a current time is notified, and the current time and the non-display time are displayed. Means for comparing time zones, and displaying, on a monitor, program information of a program to be displayed on the monitor when the current time is not included in the non-display time zone. 4. The receiver according to claim 1, further comprising: a means for inputting a password, a means for holding the password, and a password newly stored in the receiver. Means for comparing input passwords and, when the two passwords match, displaying program information of a program to be displayed on the monitor on the monitor. 5. A receiver for receiving a digital broadcast in which program information corresponding to each program included in each service is multiplexed and transmitted on a stream in which a plurality of services are multiplexed, wherein the program information is used to transmit each program. Means for extracting genre information related to the genre, means for holding genre information input in advance, and comparing the two genre information. If the two genre information match, the program from which the genre information is extracted is displayed. Means for preventing channel selection. 6. A receiver for receiving a digital broadcast in which program information corresponding to each program included in each service is multiplexed and transmitted on a stream in which a plurality of services are multiplexed, wherein the program information is used for each program. No. 1 showing age restriction
Means for extracting the viewing age of the user, means for holding the second viewing age input in advance, and comparing the two viewing ages, wherein the first viewing age is:
Means for making it impossible to select a program in which the first viewing age is extracted when the second viewing age is higher than the second viewing age. 7. The receiver according to claim 5, wherein a means for holding a non-selectable time zone for preventing the program from being selected, a means for informing a current time, Means for comparing a non-selectable time zone, and when the current time is not included in the non-selectable time zone, means for enabling the program to be selected. 8. The receiver according to claim 5, wherein: a means for inputting a password; a means for holding the password; and a means for newly storing the password already stored. Means for comparing input passwords and, when the two passwords match, enabling the program to be selected.