JP2001145076A - Receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a receiver that can identify which IC card is required to view a program. SOLUTION: IC cards 1013, 1018 are loaded to a receiver 1001. A view contract of each IC card is detected in the unit of programs, and the receiver 1001 descrambles a received pay broadcast. Furthermore, which IC is to be used is displayed in a discriminational way on a menu of an electronic program guide. Furthermore, which program is to be viewed from the IC card is displayed on the menu.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for receiving a signal transmitted by satellite broadcasting, terrestrial broadcasting, CATV (cable television), and the like, and more particularly to a receiving device for receiving a scrambled signal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional pay broadcasting system, 1
Basically, one IC card including contract information is issued to one receiver. By inserting the IC card containing this contract information into the slot, any receiving device can view the contracted program. If a plurality of IC cards containing contract information of the same contract contents are issued to one receiving device, there is a risk that the IC card may be circulated to a person other than the contractor, and a pay broadcasting system will not be established. is there.

[0003] One basic receiver is one receiver.
In addition to issuing one IC card, an IC card having a plurality of different pieces of contract information may be issued to one receiver. In this case, there are various types of contracts for pay broadcasting, such as a viewing contract for each program and a viewing contract for each channel, and a plurality of IC cards having different contract information are used depending on the relationship between the fee to be paid and the preference. For example, an IC card for each receiving device is obtained by concluding a basic contract with a low fee for each pay broadcast receiving device, and an IC card is obtained by making a contract capable of PPV (pay-per-view). The IC card for the PPV is reused in each receiving device. That is, the IC card is replaced and used when necessary, but it is not possible to easily know what can be viewed and what cannot be viewed by replacing the IC card. Further, since the presence or absence of a contract is not displayed on the surface of the IC card, it is difficult to know what contract the IC card itself has.

[0004]

As described above, in the conventional receiving apparatus, it is not easy to know what can be viewed and what cannot be viewed by replacing the IC card. Further, since the presence or absence of the contract is not displayed on the surface of the IC card, there is a problem that the IC card itself does not know what contract card it is.

The present invention eliminates the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art, eliminates the IC card replacement procedure, and removes a plurality of ICs.
Provided is a receiving device having an improved user interface by displaying what kind of contract each card has when a card is present, and automatically selecting a card with a valid contract. The purpose is to do so.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, contract information relating to viewing of a scrambled pay program is recorded on a recording medium of a descrambling descrambling management means detachable to a receiving device. In a receiving apparatus for recording and judging whether or not a pay program can be viewed by the descrambling management means, a detachable end to which a plurality of the descrambling management means can be attached and detached, and a plurality of the descrambling management means attached to the detachable end A viewing contract detection unit for detecting a viewing contract for each program, and, when watching the pay program, performing scrambling from the descrambling management unit in accordance with a detection result of the descrambling management unit for the viewed program. Means for canceling the scramble using a signal for canceling. To provide a device.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) The configuration and basic operation of a receiving apparatus for viewing a scrambled pay program will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a receiving device in a pay broadcasting system that manages contract information with an IC card. This receiving device is an IC
It has two card insertion slots.

A tuner demodulation circuit 1003, an error correction circuit 1004, a descrambler 1005, a demultiplexer 1006, a video / audio code circuit 1007, a video / audio output circuit 1008, a control circuit 1010 for performing various controls of the receiving device 1001, and buttons by viewers Interface 10 for receiving an instruction by operation of a remote controller or the like
11. Card detection circuits 1023 and 1024 for detecting whether or not a card is inserted, a display device 1025 for displaying various information of the receiving device 1001, a terminal 1012, and a terminal 101
Reference numeral 7 is connected via a bus, and exchanges signals.

A broadcast wave is input to a terminal 1002 and demodulated by a tuner demodulation circuit 1003 into a baseband transport stream (a format of the ISO / IEC13818-1 standard; hereinafter, referred to as TS). The TS supplied from the tuner demodulation circuit 1003 is an error correction circuit 1004
Is subjected to predetermined error correction, and is input to the descrambler 1005. In the descrambler 1005, the control circuit 10
Error correction circuit 1004 by a key set via
Are descrambled, and the descrambled signal is input to the demultiplexer 1006. In the demultiplexer 1006, the signal input from the descrambler 1005 is separated into components, and the video / audio decoding circuit 1007 decodes the video / audio data. The decoded signal is converted into an analog signal by the video / audio output
009. The terminal 1009 is connected to a TV (not shown), and a video is reproduced by the TV.

The above-mentioned TS is obtained by encoding video, audio, and data into packets and multiplexing them. The stream is also scrambled in packet units.
That is, the unscrambled packet is not processed by the descrambler 1005 and is passed through as it is to the demultiplexer 1006. Such non-scrambled data is control data such as program arrangement information and time information. These data are separated by the demultiplexer 1006 and supplied to the control circuit 1010.
Used to create data to control the receiving device.

When video or audio data is scrambled and broadcast, it is determined whether or not the scramble is to be canceled by the IC card 1013 or the IC card 1018.
It is. The IC cards 1013 and 1018 are basically composed of control circuits 1015 and 1020 and an IC card I unique to the contractor.
D based on personal contract information (EMM: Entitlement Manage
ment Message).

[0012] This EMM is transmitted together with video and audio by TS. The EMM separated by the demultiplexer 1006 under the control of the control circuit 1010 is
Terminal 1 of the IC card 1013 via the terminal 1012
014. Terminal 101 of IC card 1013
The validity of the data input to the EMM 4 is determined by the control circuit 1015. If the data is valid, the memory 101
6 is stored.

[0013] For a program that has been scrambled, its viewing conditions and an ECM (Entitlement Control Message) in which a key for descrambling is encrypted are encrypted.
age) is also multiplexed on the TS. This ECM is also separated by the demultiplexer 1006,
It is sent to the IC card 1013 in the same manner as M.

In the IC card 1013, the memory 1016
Is compared with the content of the decrypted ECM received, and if the condition is viewable, key information is transmitted from terminal 1014 to terminal 1012 of receiving apparatus 1001.
Send to IC card 1013 via terminal 1012
The input key information is appropriately set in the descrambler 1005 by the control circuit 1010, and descrambling is performed.

Similarly to the IC card 1013, the IC card 1018 operates according to the function of the IC card 1018, and data is transmitted and received through the terminal 1017 of the receiving device 1001 and the terminal 1019 of the IC card 1018.

When the IC card is inserted into one of the IC card insertion slots of the receiving device 1001 and a notification that the IC card is inserted is received from the card detection circuits 1023 and 1024, the control circuit 1010 executes the card processing according to a predetermined procedure. And sends a command to the IC card to determine whether the IC card is usable in the system.
When a normal response is not returned from the IC card, the control circuit 1010 displays a message notifying the fact on the TV screen or displays the message on the display device 1025.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a front panel provided with an insertion slot for an IC card of the receiving apparatus 1001. The display device 1025 shown in FIG. 1 has an LED (light emitting diode) 30 constituting the display device 1025 so as to correspond to the insertion slots 303 and 304 of each IC card shown in FIG.
1, 302 are arranged. These LEDs 301, 30
2 is controlled by the control circuit 1010 so that, for example, the card inserted into the slot is lit blue when the card is usable in the system, and blinks red when the card is not usable.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 3, an IC card usable in the receiving
The operation of the control circuit 1010 when a viewer selects a program after two cards are inserted into the two IC card slots will be described.

When there is a program selection request from the viewer (step S1), the control circuit 1010 performs a channel selection operation of the requested program (step S2). Next, information on the contract of the selected program is transmitted to the IC cards 1013 and 1018 inserted in the slots, and the contract status of each card is confirmed by the response (step S3). In this case, since two IC cards are inserted, n in step S3 is 2. Next, it is determined whether or not there is an IC card for which a contract to view the selected program can be viewed (step 4). If an IC card with a valid contract is inserted in step 4, the slot where this card is inserted is activated (step S5),
Until the selected program ends or another program is selected, control is performed so that only the IC card inserted into this slot is sent a viewing / listening judgment command, and the IC card slot corresponding to the contracted IC card slot is controlled. L of the display device 1025
One of the EDs 301 and 302 is lit in blue to notify that the card in this slot is in use (step S6).

Conversely, in step S4, the contract
When the C card is not inserted, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, control for displaying a message notifying that no valid card is inserted on the screen of the display device connected to the terminal 1009 is performed. Then, the LED of the corresponding slot is lit yellow by the display device 1025 to notify that this IC card is out of contract and unused (step S8).

[0021] Next, the viewer is asked to enter an electronic program guide (EPG:
The operation of selecting a program and making a reservation operation using an Electrical Program Guide will be described with reference to FIG.

A program table is displayed on the display device connected to the terminal 1009 by the EPG. The contract for each card is determined by the above-described method, and the IC card inserted into which slot for each program is determined. It is determined whether the user can view the program according to the contract. When the program can be viewed as shown in FIG. 5, the IC card name is displayed as "IC card 1" or "IC card 2" in the display frame of the program, and the background color in the display frame of the program is displayed. Are changed to be identifiable. In this case, the background color is set to white when viewing is possible and shaded when viewing is not possible. When viewing is not possible, "viewing disabled" is displayed instead of the IC card name. In addition, for the program which can be viewed, information such as "tier contract" and "basic contract" which can identify the viewing mode is displayed on the screen.

Next, a control flow by the control circuit 1010 at this time will be described with reference to FIG.

When there is a program guide display request from the viewer (step S11), the control circuit 1010 outputs the signal from the terminal 100.
The program guide is displayed on the display device connected to No. 9 (step S12). Next, a command for performing a viewing contract determination for each program is transmitted to each card inserted in the IC card slot, and a contract state for each program is obtained (step S).
13). A process (text display, color display, etc.) for adding the contract status to the previously displayed program guide is performed (step S14), and the viewer is notified.

In this example, the program guide is once displayed first, and after the viewing contract is determined for each program, the contract status is displayed. However, after the viewing contract is determined for each program, the program guide is displayed. You may do it. This allows the user to know the viewing contract for each program from the beginning of the display of the program guide.

When a response indicating that viewing is possible from both of the two or more IC cards is returned to the control circuit 1010, the contract status of the card is further analyzed, and an operation determination is made to minimize the viewing fee. . In other words, for a program that can be viewed in a tier (prior contract for each program or channel) or a postpaid PPV (a fee is collected for the program that has been viewed), the IC card 1 that responds that the program can be viewed in the PPV and its program Is within the range of the tier contract, and there is an IC card 2 that responds that it is already viewable, and if these responses are returned to the control circuit 1010, a new fee is paid for viewing using the IC card 2. You can watch without. Therefore, in this case, the IC card 2 for which the tier contract is valid is selected and operated. Also, the control circuit 1010 performs control so that the viewing fee paid by the viewer is minimized, such as giving priority to a prepaid IC card when a prepaid IC card is inserted. Needless to say, it is preferable that the determination order can be changed in advance by the setting of the user.

As described above, according to this embodiment, which IC card is necessary to view a certain program is specified, this information is presented to the viewer, and the necessary information is automatically displayed. Since a suitable IC card is selected, the user interface can be improved. (Second Embodiment) Since information about a contract is not usually written on the front and back surfaces of an IC card, when a user tries to know it, the user actually inserts it into a receiving device and inserts a terminal 1009
It is necessary to display and confirm the contract information on a display device connected to the PC. When an IC card is inserted into a plurality of slots as in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, channels that are commonly seen in each card and channels that are not can be displayed in a distinguishable state. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the control of the control circuit 1010 at this time. Upon receiving a contract information display request from the user (step S21), the control circuit 1010 receives a predetermined channel (step S22), and checks the contract status of each IC card (step S23). It is determined whether all the channels have been received and the check has been completed (step S24).

If all the channels have been received and checked, the contract status is displayed on the display device connected to the terminal 1009 as shown in FIG. 7 (step S25). If all channels have been received and the check has not been completed in step S24, the channel is switched to the next channel (step 26), and the process returns to step S22 to repeatedly check the contract.

As described above, in the receiving apparatus into which a plurality of IC cards can be inserted, by providing a means for determining a contract for each card and a display means, the user can replace the IC card by moving the IC card or grasp the contract state of each card. The interface can be improved.

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention, which IC card is necessary to view a certain program is specified, and the information is presented to the viewer, so that the user interface is improved. Can be achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a receiving apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a front panel provided with an IC card insertion slot of the receiving apparatus 1001.

FIG. 3 shows a control circuit 101 when a viewer selects a program.
9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a zero.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a message notifying that an IC card with a valid contract has not been inserted;

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining an operation when a program is selected and a reservation operation is performed using an electronic program guide.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating control by a control circuit 1010 during the operation of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view showing a display example of contract information when an IC card is inserted into a plurality of slots.

8 is a flowchart illustrating control by a control circuit 1010 during the operation of FIG. 7;

[Explanation of symbols]

1001 receiving apparatus, 1010 control circuit, 1013
1018 ... IC card.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A contract information relating to viewing of a scrambled pay program is recorded on a recording medium of a descrambling descrambling management means detachable to a receiving device, and whether or not the pay program can be viewed is judged by the descrambling descrambling management means. In the apparatus, a detachable end on which the plurality of descrambling management means are detachable, and a viewing contract detecting means for detecting a viewing contract for each program with respect to the plurality of descrambling management means attached to the detachable end, Means for canceling the scramble using a signal for descrambling from the descrambling management means in accordance with a detection result of the descrambling management means for the program to be viewed when the pay program is viewed. A receiving device, characterized in that: 2. The receiving apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an identification display unit according to the viewing contract of the scramble descramble management unit attached to the detachable end. 3. A program listing means for displaying a program guide on a display screen so as to identify whether or not each program can be viewed and which of the scramble descrambling management means can be viewed with a viewing contract. The receiving device according to claim 1. 4. The receiving apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising means for displaying a program guide on a display screen so as to identify the viewing mode of the viewable program. 5. When one program can be viewed by any of the plurality of descrambling management means, the program is used for selecting the descrambling management means according to a viewer's selection or a predetermined judgment order to release scrambling. The receiving device according to claim 1, wherein a signal is obtained. 6. A contract information relating to viewing of a scrambled pay program is recorded in a descrambling management means provided with a recording medium and detachable from a receiving apparatus, and whether or not viewing of the pay program is judged by the descrambling management means. The receiving apparatus, further comprising: means for creating a video indicating the contract status of the descrambling management means and outputting the video to a display means.