JP2002325243A - Digital broadcast receiving device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital broadcast receiving device which does not automatically charge when a reserved pay program to be viewed becomes impossible to view. SOLUTION: The device comprises a user interface 21 for a viewing reservation registration of a selected broadcast program, a purchase guidance present part 7d for presenting a purchase start guidance display that guides a purchase start of the chargeable broadcast program to users when the viewing reservation program is chargeable prior to the start of a viewing operation of the broadcast program as the broadcast starting time for the reserved broadcast program caries, a purchase detection part 7e for detecting a purchase operation indicating the purchase start by the user who performs operations with regard to the digital broadcasting receiving device within a predetermined limited time after showing the purchase start guidance presentation, and a viewing reservation release part 7c for releasing both the purchase and the viewing reservation of the broadcast program whose viewing reservation registration has been made, when the purchase operation is not performed within the limited time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital broadcast receiving apparatus for receiving a digital broadcast broadcast via a satellite, a cable, or a terrestrial wave. In particular, the present invention relates to a digital broadcast receiving apparatus for making a viewing reservation of a pay broadcast program like a pay-per-view program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, in television broadcasting using satellites, there are already broadcasting services for pay broadcasting programs in addition to free broadcasting programs. As a service form of a pay broadcast program, a pay-per-view PPV (Pay Per Vi Pv) in which a viewing fee is charged in units of broadcast programs, in addition to a monthly contract system in which a contract is made in units of months for each broadcast channel.
ew) There is a program system.

[0003] On the other hand, a broadcast receiving apparatus (hereinafter abbreviated as a receiving apparatus) for receiving a digital broadcast displays program information on a broadcast program that is currently being broadcast and a broadcast program that is scheduled to be broadcast in the future as a program table. When a broadcast program scheduled to be broadcast in the future is selected for reservation, the broadcast program is reserved for viewing or recording, and when the broadcast start time of the reserved broadcast program is reached, the broadcast program is Is selected, and in the case of a pay-per-view PPV program, after purchase processing is performed, video information and audio information are
It is displayed and output on a television monitor screen or recorded on a recording device.

[0004]

When the reserved broadcast program is a broadcast program for which recording is scheduled, the receiving apparatus is provided with a VTR.
By transmitting a remote control code using a video mouse or the like to a recording device such as a recording device, recording is controlled and recording is started. Therefore, if the broadcast program reserved for recording is a pay broadcast program, Even though the pay broadcast program is not reproduced and viewed later, there is no inconvenience of being charged for recording.

[0005] However, if the reserved broadcast program is a broadcast program reserved for viewing, and if the reserved program for viewing is a pay-broadcast program, then the viewer (user) who has reserved the viewing is absent. Even if a situation occurs in which the broadcast program cannot be viewed, when the broadcast time of the broadcast program arrives, the broadcast program is automatically displayed and output on the television monitor device. Sisters,
There has been a problem that a fee is charged for the reserved broadcast program.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and it has been determined whether or not the broadcast program is a pay broadcast program such as a pay-per-view PPV program when the broadcast reservation time reaches the broadcast reservation time. If it is determined that the pay-per-view PPV program is a pay-per-view PPV program, a purchase guide display for inquiring whether or not to start purchasing the pay-per-view PPV program is output to the viewer (user). By constantly monitoring whether any purchase operation has been performed by a viewer (user) indicating the start of purchase, if no operation has been performed within a predetermined time limit and no instruction to start purchase has been issued. ,
The receiving apparatus automatically determines that the viewer (user) who made the viewing reservation is absent, cancels the purchase of the pay-per-view PPV program, and releases (cancels) the viewing reservation. Things.

[0007]

A first technical means according to the present invention is provided with a user interface capable of making a viewing reservation registration of a selected broadcast program, and viewing the broadcast program registered for viewing reservation. In the digital broadcast receiving apparatus capable of starting the viewing operation of the broadcast program at the scheduled time, if the broadcast program registered for viewing reservation is a pay broadcast program, the digital broadcast receiver reaches the scheduled viewing time. Means for presenting to the user a purchase guidance display for guiding the user to start purchasing the pay broadcast program, and when the digital broadcast is received within a predetermined time limit after the presentation of the purchase guidance display. A purchase detecting means for detecting a purchase operation indicating that the purchase start instruction has been given by performing some operation on the receiving apparatus; and If the purchase operation is performed within the time limit and the broadcasting of the pay broadcast program ends, the viewing reservation canceling means cancels the viewing reservation of the pay broadcast program registered for viewing. When,
And a digital broadcast receiving apparatus comprising:

That is, when the broadcast program registered for viewing reservation is a pay broadcast program such as a pay-per-view PPV program, a guide display for confirming the start of purchase of the pay broadcast program is presented to the viewer (user). At the same time, the viewer (user) is constantly monitored for any operation performed until a predetermined time elapses. If no operation is performed on the receiving device before the predetermined time elapses,
It is determined that the viewer (user) who made the viewing reservation is absent and it is impossible to view the paid broadcasting program reserved for viewing, and the purchase of the paid broadcasting program is cancelled.
The viewing reservation is canceled (canceled). Thus, even if the viewer (user) who made the viewing reservation becomes absent and the viewing becomes impossible, the charging is performed even though the pay broadcast program such as the pay-per-view PPV program is not viewed. However, such an inconvenience can be suppressed.

[0009] A second technical means according to the present invention is the first technical means.
In the digital broadcast receiving device according to the technical means, the purchase guidance display for guiding the start of the purchase of a pay broadcast program,
During the preview period of the pay broadcast program, it is a reservation purchase start guide screen for guiding the start of reservation purchase of the pay broadcast program transmitted included in the broadcast signal, and outside the preview period of the pay broadcast program, The digital broadcast receiving apparatus is characterized in that it is a digital broadcast receiving apparatus that provides a purchase guidance display based on a predetermined alarm sound or voice guidance as guidance information for guiding whether or not to start a reservation purchase.

[0010] If the time point at which the purchase start guide display for starting the purchase of the pay-for-view program reserved for viewing is presented is within the preview period of the pay-for-broadcast program, the broadcast signal transmitted as a broadcast signal is transmitted. The video signal and audio signal for purchase start guidance relating to the pay broadcast program are presented to the viewer (user) as they are, and when the pay broadcast program is outside the preview period, a predetermined audio signal (for example, Since the guide information is provided to the viewer (user) by using an alarm sound or voice guidance), the user is not allowed to view a video signal or an audio signal transmitted as a broadcast signal. It can be prevented from interfering with necessity.

A third technical means according to the present invention is the first technical means.
Alternatively, in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to the second technical means, the purchase guide presenting means automatically switches from a power-off standby state to a power-on normal state to a main receiving unit for displaying video / audio information of a broadcast program. When the program is activated by making a transition to, the viewing reservation canceling means returns to a standby state in which the main receiving unit is turned off when the viewing reservation of the broadcast program registered for viewing reservation is canceled. The digital broadcast receiving apparatus is provided with a standby state setting means for causing the digital broadcast to be set.

[0012] Thus, even if the absence of a viewer (user) is detected, and it is determined that viewing is not possible, the purchase of a viewing reservation program is canceled and the viewing reservation is canceled, the main receiving unit is not activated. If the system has been activated from the standby state, the system automatically returns to the standby state, so that it is possible to suppress unnecessary power consumption.

A fourth technical means according to the present invention is the first technical means,
The digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to any one of the third to third technical means, wherein the viewing reservation canceling means is configured to perform, based on the fact that the purchase operation has not been performed within the time limit,
When canceling the viewing reservation of the pay-broadcast program for which the viewing reservation has been registered, a memory area in which an e-mail indicating that the viewing reservation of the pay-broadcast program has been canceled and no charging has been made can be stored. And a digital broadcast receiving apparatus comprising:

[0014] A viewing reservation cancellation notification message indicating that the viewing reservation has been canceled using the e-mail to the viewer (user) and no charging has been made is stored as an e-mail in the memory of the receiving device. Therefore, after returning home, the viewer (user) can surely understand that the viewing reservation of the pay broadcast program that has not been watched is canceled in advance and the user is not charged.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a basic system configuration of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present invention.
The digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present invention includes a main receiving unit 1
0 and a sub receiving unit 20.

The sub-reception unit 20 is normally in an energized state at all times, and information relating to the operation of the receiving apparatus main body and the remote control operation of the viewer (user) is transmitted via a user interface unit (user I / F unit) 21. The microcomputer (microcomputer) 22 is configured so as to be constantly detected. The user operation information detected by the microcomputer 22 is notified to the main processing unit MPU7 of the main receiving unit 10 via the communication bus 24.

On the other hand, the main processing unit MPU7
Via the communication bus 24, the viewing reservation time of the viewing reservation program can be set in the reservation timer 22a provided in the microcomputer (microcomputer) 22 of the sub-receiving unit 20. Further, the main processing unit MPU7
Is a setting operation for setting, via the communication bus 24, the standby state setting unit 22b provided in the microcomputer (microcomputer) 22 of the sub-receiving unit 20 to set the main receiving unit to the standby state in which the power is turned off. Can be indicated.

For example, when the state of the main receiving unit 10 is in a standby state (power-off state), and when the viewing reservation time set in the reservation timer 22a has been reached, the microcomputer (microcomputer) of the sub receiving unit 20 ) 22
Sets the standby state of the main receiving unit 10 to the normal state (power-on state) via the communication bus 24,
It notifies the main processing unit MPU7 that it has escaped from the standby state (power-off state) and has activated the viewing execution operation state of the viewing reservation program. Further, if the viewing execution operation state is started while the state of the main receiving unit 10 is in the standby state (power-off state), when the viewing of the broadcast program of the viewing reservation ends or the viewing reservation is canceled, And an instruction from the main processing unit MPU7 of the main receiving unit 10 to the standby state setting unit 22b in the microcomputer 22 of the sub-receiving unit 20 to return the main receiving unit 10 to the original standby state. In response to the instruction, the standby state setting unit 22b controls the main power supply control unit 23 to set the main reception unit 10 to the standby state in which the power is turned off.

Next, the operation of the main receiving section 10 will be described in more detail. The tuner 2 can select a designated broadcast signal from broadcast radio signals received by the antenna 1. In FIG. 1, the broadcast radio signal received by the antenna 1 may be a broadcast radio signal from a satellite (broadcast satellite or communication satellite) or a terrestrial radio signal. Although not shown in FIG. 1, a broadcast signal received via a cable such as a CATV may be used.

The demodulation circuit 3 performs demodulation in accordance with the modulation method of the broadcast signal selected by the tuner 2.
When the demodulation signal output from the demodulation circuit 3 is a signal that has been scrambled like a pay broadcast program, the descrambling circuit 4 cancels the scramble processing and restores the demodulated signal to a viewable demodulated signal. It performs processing.

The demultiplexing circuit 5 converts the PAT (P) from the transport stream information output from the descrambling circuit 4, which is a demodulated signal restored to a viewable state.
program Association Table)
And PMT (ProgramMap Table), and based on the acquired PAT and PMT information,
Extract a transport packet ID required for presenting a video signal and an audio signal, etc., and convert the digitally multiplexed video signal and audio signal included in the transport packet indicated by the transport packet ID into
Separate into digital video signal and digital audio signal. Further, the demultiplexing circuit 5 is used for obtaining information necessary for descrambling from an IC card when a scramble process is performed on a video signal and an audio signal such as a pay broadcast program. ECM (En
title Control Message Message
Also used to extract e). Further, it is also used to acquire program information of a broadcast program currently being broadcasted and a broadcast program scheduled to be broadcasted in the future.

The video / audio processing circuit 6 includes a demultiplexing circuit 5
The digital video signal and the digital audio signal separated by the above are decoded into a viewable signal format, and the video signal output terminal 6a and the audio signal output terminal 6b are respectively decoded.
And display screen information such as a program guide for presenting to a viewer (user) or display audio information such as an alarm sound or a voice message. The signal is combined with the signal and output to the video signal output terminal 6a and the audio signal output terminal 6b, respectively.

The main processing unit MPU 7 includes a communication bus 24
In response to the received user operation information, appropriate operations such as designation of channel selection information of the tuner 2 and presentation operation of a program table of the demultiplexing circuit 5 and the video / audio processing circuit 6 are controlled. In the main processing unit MPU7, in addition to a reservation timer 7a for setting a viewing reservation time, program information or the like of a viewing reservation is stored in a memory 8 as viewing reservation data.
A viewing reservation registration unit 7b for controlling the operation of registering the program in the non-volatile area, a viewing reservation canceling unit 7c for canceling the viewing reservation state, and a purchase guidance presentation for presenting a purchase guidance display for a pay broadcast program. When the viewer (user) performs any operation on the receiving device after the display of the purchase guide, the unit 7d regards the operation as a purchase operation for a purchase instruction on the purchase guide display, and performs a purchase process. And a purchase detecting unit 7e for activating the operation. In the present embodiment, the viewing reservation registration unit 7
b, the case where the viewing reservation canceling unit 7c, the purchase guidance presenting unit 7d, and the purchase detecting unit 7e are provided in the main processing unit MPU7 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this case. The viewing reservation registration section 7b,
Various processes, such as the viewing reservation canceling unit 7c, the purchase guidance presenting unit 7d, and the purchase detecting unit 7e, may be stored as a program and executed.

The memory 8 reads and writes a program executed by the main processing unit MPU 7, temporary work data at the time of program execution, program information extracted from the demultiplexing circuit 5, or program information reserved for viewing. In order to perform this, it is composed of a volatile area and a non-volatile area. Further, an e-mail storage unit 8a for storing e-mail for notifying various messages to a viewer (user) is provided in the nonvolatile area of the memory 8.

The IC card 9 acquires contract information based on the ECM information extracted from the demultiplexing circuit 5, and in the case of a pay-per-view PPV program, performs a purchase process to convert the scrambled broadcast signal. It is used to obtain a decryption key for releasing and restoring the original broadcast signal. Also, for example, when a pay-per-view PPV program is purchased, the modem 11
3 is used to connect to a broadcast management center to transmit and receive information related to the purchase of a pay-per-view PPV program.

Next, an example of the operation relating to the viewing reservation registration in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, when the viewer (user) instructs the presentation of the program guide by operating the receiving device main body or the remote controller, the operation information is stored in the user interface unit (user I / F) as described above.
Unit) 21 via a microcomputer (microcomputer)
22 and is notified to the main processing unit MPU7 of the main receiving unit 10 via the communication bus 24. The main processing unit MPU7 determines whether a currently broadcasted program and a future broadcast are to be performed based on program information received via the demultiplexing circuit 5 based on a program table presentation instruction from a viewer (user). By instructing the video / audio processing device 6 to present a program guide including a scheduled broadcast program, the display screen of the program guide is displayed on the OSD (On Sc).
The display is displayed on a display screen (reen Display).

From the display screen of the program guide displayed on the display, the viewer (user) selects an arbitrary broadcast program (program H in FIG. 2) by operating the receiving apparatus main body or the remote controller, and makes a viewing reservation. Is detected by the microcomputer 22 and sent to the main processing unit MPU7 of the main receiving unit 10 via the communication bus 24, as in the case of the program guide presentation instruction. The main processing unit MPU7, which has received the notification of the program reserved for viewing, first compares the broadcast time of the broadcast program reserved for viewing (program H in FIG. 2) with the current time (step S1). If the broadcast program reserved for viewing is a broadcast program scheduled to be broadcast in the future (YES in step S1), the following processing is performed to reserve viewing of the broadcast program. That is, first, whether or not the broadcast program is a pay broadcast program is confirmed. In the case of a pay broadcast program, based on the contract information transmitted together with the program information, information indicating whether the program is a monthly contract program or a pay-per-view PPV program for which a purchase contract is made for each program. It is obtained from information registered in the IC card 9.

If it is a pay-per-view PPV program (YES in step S2), the main processing unit MP
The purchase guidance presenting unit 7d in U7 stores the pay-per-view PP
Pay-per-view PPV program purchase screen (in FIG. 2,
"Program H PPV program can be purchased for 100 yen. Do you make a pre-order?"
By presenting the screen as a Screen Display screen to the viewer (user), the viewer (user) is made to select whether or not to make a reservation purchase of the pay-per-view PPV program (step S3). If the viewer (user) selects the reservation purchase of the pay-per-view PPV program (YES in step S4), the main processing device MP
The viewing reservation registering unit 7b in U7 uses viewing reservation registration information instructing viewing reservation of the selected broadcast program as viewing reservation data, as in the case of a free program or a contracted broadcast program of a monthly contracted program. Is stored and registered in the non-volatile memory area of the memory 8 (step S5).

Further, the viewing reservation time of the broadcast program is set in the reservation timer 7a in the main processing unit MPU 7 of the main receiving unit 10 and the reservation timer 22a in the microcomputer 22 of the sub receiving unit 20 ( Steps S6 and S7).

Here, the reservation timer 7a in the main processing unit MPU7 and the reservation timer 22a in the microcomputer (microcomputer) 22 both generate an event when the viewing reservation time of a broadcast program reserved for viewing is reached. In this case, the main processing unit MPU 7 and the microcomputer (microcomputer) 22 are respectively notified of this fact. Usually, unless the main receiving unit 10 is in the standby state (power off state), the main processing unit The reservation timer 7a in the device MPU 7 is used as a timer for monitoring the viewing reservation time of the viewing reservation program.

On the other hand, the reservation timer 22a in the microcomputer (microcomputer) 22 of the sub-reception unit 20 determines the reservation time of the viewing reservation program used when the main reception unit 10 is in the standby state (power off state). The main receiving unit 10 is set to return to a normal state (power-on state) when the viewing reservation time has been reached, so that the viewing reservation operation can be performed. What is used.

It is to be noted that the viewer (user) selects that the broadcast program (program H in FIG. 2) for which the viewing reservation is selected is a pay-per-view PPV program and that the pay-per-view PPV program is not pre-purchased. If it is done (NO in step S4), the viewing reservation is not registered and the viewing reservation is made again, as in the case of the broadcast program which is a monthly program of the pay broadcast program and is not a contract program. Therefore, the process returns to the operation of presenting the program guide (step S8).

Further, the broadcast program (the program H in FIG. 2) for which the viewer (user) instructed the selection of the viewing reservation is
If the broadcast program is currently being broadcast (NO in step S1), it is confirmed whether the broadcast program is a pay broadcast, as in step S2 and thereafter. In the case of a pay broadcast program, it is a monthly contract program or a pay-per-view PPV in which a purchase contract is made for each program based on contract information transmitted together as program information.
Selection information such as whether the program is a program is acquired from information registered in the IC card 9.

If it is a pay-per-view PPV program (YES in step S9), the main processing unit MP
The purchase guidance presenting unit 7d in U7 stores the pay-per-view PP
A pay-per-view PPV program purchase screen for confirming whether or not the V program has been purchased together with the purchase price is displayed on the OSD (On Sc).
By presenting the pay-per-view PPV program to the viewer (user) by presenting the pay-per-view PPV program to the viewer (user) by presenting the pay-per-view PPV program (step S10). When the viewer (user) selects the purchase of the pay-per-view PPV program (YES in step S11), the selected program is selected in the same manner as in the case of a free program or a contracted broadcast program of a monthly contract program. In order to view the broadcast program, an operation of selecting a channel of the program selected for viewing and immediately displaying the selected channel is started (step S12).

On the other hand, if the viewer (user) selects not to purchase the pay-per-view PPV program (NO in step S11), the pay-per-view broadcast program is a monthly contract program and a non-contract broadcast program. As in the case of (1), the display operation for viewing is not performed, and the process returns to the operation of presenting the program guide again (step S13).

Next, an example of the operation related to the viewing execution of the viewing reservation program in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
When the reservation timer 7a in the main processing unit MPU 7 or the reservation timer 22a in the microcomputer 22 generates an event indicating that the viewing reservation time of the broadcast program registered for viewing reservation has been reached, The event is notified to the main processing unit MPU7.

The main processing unit MPU 7 switches the tuner 2 in accordance with the channel information of the view-reserved program registered and stored in the nonvolatile area of the memory 8 as view-reserved data for the view-reserved program that has reached the view-reserved time. The channel on which the viewing reservation program is being broadcast is selected (step S21). Next, a PAT and a PMT are obtained in order to obtain program information related to the viewing reservation program (step S22). Based on the PAT and PMT information, presentation of video information and audio information of the viewing reservation program is performed. By setting a transport packet ID indicating a transport packet to be executed (step S23), the video information and the audio information of the pertinent viewing reservation program are transferred from the demultiplexing circuit 5 to the video / audio processing circuit 6.

On the other hand, in the case of a pay broadcast program in which video information, audio information, and the like have been subjected to scramble processing, information (ie, descrambling key information) necessary for canceling the scramble state is obtained from the IC card 9. The ECM (E) which is multiplexed as a broadcast signal and transmitted together
title Control Message
e) The packet ID of the information is set, the ECM information is acquired, and the ECM information is transmitted to the IC card 9 to confirm the contract information and to extract the descramble key information. Here, if the pay broadcast program is not a pay-per-view PPV program that needs to be purchased for each program, but is a contract program on a monthly basis, the descrambling key information is returned from the IC card 9. If the pay-broadcast program is a pay-per-view PPV program that needs to be purchased for each program, it is necessary to newly give an instruction to start purchasing the program.

Therefore, when the pertinent viewing reservation program is a pay-per-view PPV program (Y in step S24)
In the case of ES), the purchase guide presentation unit 7d in the main processing unit MPU7 sends a
A purchase guidance display for confirming whether to start the reservation purchase of the pay-per-view PPV program is output. Here, if the pay-per-view PPV program is within the preview period (YES in step S25), a reservation purchase start guidance screen based on video / audio information transmitted from a broadcasting station is used as the purchase guidance display screen. (In FIG. 3, a guidance screen displaying a guidance message of "Starting reservation purchase. Press any key.") Can be displayed and output (step S26).
However, when the time is outside the preview period of the pay-per-view PPV program (NO in step S25),
As the screen for displaying the purchase guidance, a video /
Since it is no longer possible to display and output using voice information, guidance is provided using a predetermined alarm sound or voice guidance as guidance information for guiding whether or not to start a reservation purchase (step S2).
7).

Such a guidance display is continuously displayed until an instruction is input from the viewer (user). However, if there is any operation input from the viewer (user) (step S28) In the case of YES), the purchase detecting unit 7e in the main processing device MPU7 recognizes that the viewer (user) is in a state where the pay-per-view PPV program can be viewed and that the purchase purchase of the pay-per-view PPV program has been started. Is interpreted as specifying that
The pay-per-view PPV program is purchased (step S29). That is, when the instruction to start the reservation purchase is notified to the IC card 9, the purchase of the pay-per-view PPV program is performed based on the contract information and the ECM information stored in the IC card 9. , And the descramble key information of the pay-per-view PPV program is generated and returned from the IC card 9.

Therefore, the scrambled state of the video information and audio information of the pay-per-view PPV program is canceled by the descrambling key information obtained from the IC card 9 in the descrambling circuit 4, and becomes viewable. Until the broadcast end time is reached (step S
31 (NO), the video information and the audio information of the program are presented to the viewer (user) (step S3).
0). The pertinent viewing reservation program is pay-per-view P
If the program was not a PV program (NO in step S24), that is, if the program was a free broadcast program, the program was viewable as it is and was a paid broadcast program with a monthly contract. In this case, as described above, the descrambling state is released in the descrambling circuit 4 by the descrambling key information returned from the IC card 9, and the state becomes viewable, until the broadcast end time is reached. , Viewers (users)
Presentation of video information and audio information of the program is performed. When the broadcast end time is reached (YES in step S31), the process proceeds to step S32 to shift to the viewing reservation canceling operation.

On the other hand, the program reserved for viewing is pay-per-view PP.
If there is no operation input from the viewer (user) with respect to the guide display for confirming whether or not to start the reservation purchase of the pay-per-view PPV program (NO in step S28) , Pay-per-view PP registered in the IC card 9 indicated by the response from the IC card 9
Either the purchase start instruction time limit for the V program has been exceeded, or a time arbitrarily determined in advance from the broadcast start time of the viewing reservation program has elapsed (hereinafter referred to as a time limit). Until elapses, the guidance display of the reservation purchase start is continuously displayed. Therefore, if the time limit has not elapsed (NO in step S37), the process returns to step S25 to continue the guidance display.

On the other hand, if there is no operation input from the viewer (user) before the time limit elapses (YES in step S37), it is determined that the viewer (user) is absent. Then, after the display reservation is interrupted (in FIG. 3, an interruption message indicating that “the reservation purchase has been interrupted due to absence”) is displayed on the screen just in case (step S38), the viewer (user) Cancels (interrupts) the viewing reservation, and registers an e-mail notifying that no billing has been made in the e-mail storage unit 8a provided in the nonvolatile area of the memory 8 (step S39). In order to shift, the process proceeds to step S32. As described above, by providing the time limit represented by the elapse of a fixed time from the broadcast start time, the viewer (user) can view the pay-per-view PPV program reserved for viewing, The inconvenience of being charged can be avoided.

In step S32, the viewing reservation canceling unit 7c in the main processing unit MPU 7 is activated, updates the viewing reservation data registered in the nonvolatile area of the memory 8, and ends the viewing reservation program. For this purpose, registration is deleted (step S32). Further, the viewing reservation canceling unit 7c
As shown in FIG. 2, a reservation timer 7a in the main processing unit MPU 7 of the main receiving unit 10 and a microcomputer (microcomputer) 2 of the sub receiving unit 20 are registered at the time of viewing reservation registration.
2 is updated so as to delete the viewing reservation time of the broadcast program set in the reservation timer 22a in Step 2 (Steps S33 and S34).

Finally, the viewing reservation canceling unit 7c starts the main receiving unit 10 when the viewing execution operation of the viewing reservation is started.
Is started from the standby state (power-off state) (step S35), and is started from the standby state of the main receiving unit 10 (step S3).
In the case of 5), the standby state setting unit 22b in the microcomputer 22 of the sub receiving unit 20 is instructed to set the main receiving unit 10 to the standby state. The instructed standby state setting unit 22b controls the main power control unit 23 to turn off the power of the main receiving unit 10 and return the main receiving unit 10 to the standby state again (step S36). Thus, by automatically performing the operation of returning the main receiving unit 10 to the standby state, even when the viewer (user) is not present when the execution of the viewing execution operation of the viewing reservation ends. ,
Unnecessary power consumption can be prevented. On the other hand, if the main receiving unit 10 has not been activated from the standby state (NO in step S35), the viewing reservation operation is terminated or interrupted.

[0046]

As described above, in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present invention, the following operational effects can be obtained.

According to the first technical means, even if a viewer (user) is absent and viewing of a pay broadcast program (for example, pay-per-view PPV program) becomes impossible, automatic Then, the purchase of the pay broadcast program is cancelled, the viewing reservation is canceled (canceled), and the charging is not started. Therefore, as in the prior art, when the viewer (user) cannot view. Even in this case, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of inconvenience, such as when the viewing reservation is executed and the user is charged.

According to the second technical means, when a purchase guidance display for guiding whether or not to start the purchase is presented, that is, when the viewing execution operation of the viewing reservation is started,
During the preview period of the pay-per-view PPV program, a guide display for confirming the purchase start is displayed to the viewer (user) based on the broadcasted video / audio information of the pay-per-view PPV program. If there is, the viewer (user) is given a guidance display by a predetermined alarm sound or voice guidance as guidance information for guiding whether or not to start the reservation purchase, so that the broadcasted video information and audio information are displayed. However, it is possible to avoid inconvenience such as unnecessary viewing.

According to the third technical means, when a viewer (user) is absent, in a standby state indicating a power-off state,
If the viewing reservation start of the pay broadcast program has been activated, it is possible to automatically return to the standby state again when the viewing reservation is released, and the power of the digital broadcast receiving device is wasted. Inconvenience such as consumption can be prevented.

According to the fourth technical means, even if a viewing reservation of a pay broadcast program is activated when a viewer (user) is absent, the viewing reservation is released when the viewing reservation is released. Since the e-mail indicating that the program has been saved is stored, the viewer (user) can confirm that no charge has been made for a pay broadcast program that he or she has not watched after returning home.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a basic system configuration of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation related to viewing reservation registration in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation relating to the viewing execution of a viewing reservation program in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Antenna, 2 ... Tuner, 3 ... Demodulation circuit, 4 ... Scrambling circuit, 5 ... Demultiplexing circuit, 6 ... Video / audio processing circuit, 6a ... Video signal output terminal, 6b ... Audio signal output terminal, 7 ... Main Processing device MPU, 7a: reservation timer, 7b: viewing reservation registration unit, 7c: viewing reservation release unit, 7
d: purchase guide presentation unit, 7e: purchase detection unit, 8: memory,
8a: E-mail storage unit, 9: IC card, 10: Main receiving unit, 11: Modem, 12: System bus, 13 ...
Telephone line, 20: sub receiving unit, 21: user interface unit (user I / F unit), 22: microcomputer (microcomputer), 22a: reservation timer, 22b: standby state setting unit, 23: main power control unit, 24 ... communication bus.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A user interface capable of making a viewing reservation registration of a selected broadcast program, wherein when a viewing reservation time of the broadcast program registered as a viewing reservation is reached, a viewing operation of the broadcasting program is performed. In the digital broadcast receiving apparatus capable of starting, if the broadcast program registered for viewing reservation is a pay broadcast program, a purchase guide to start purchasing the pay broadcast program when the viewing reservation time comes is reached. A purchase guidance presenting means for presenting a guidance display to the user; and a user performing some operation on the digital broadcast receiving apparatus within a predetermined time limit after the presentation of the purchase guidance display, thereby instructing the user to start the purchase. Purchase detecting means for detecting a purchase operation indicating that the purchase operation has been performed, and if the purchase operation has not been performed within the time limit, and Digital broadcasting characterized by comprising: viewing reservation canceling means for canceling the viewing reservation of the paid broadcasting program registered for viewing reservation when the broadcasting of the paying broadcast program is completed within the time limit. Receiver. 2. The digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the purchase guidance display for guiding the user to start purchasing a pay broadcast program is included in a broadcast signal and transmitted during a preview period of the pay broadcast program. A reservation purchase start guidance screen for guiding the start of reservation purchase of the pay broadcast program to be received, and outside a preview period of the pay broadcast program, an alarm sound predetermined as guide information for guiding whether or not to start the reservation purchase. Alternatively, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus is a purchase guidance display based on voice guidance. 3. The digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the purchase guide presenting unit is configured to switch from a power-off standby state to a power-on standby state of a main receiving unit for displaying video / audio information of a broadcast program. When activated by automatically transitioning to a state, the viewing reservation canceling unit turns off the power of the main receiving unit when canceling the viewing reservation of the broadcast program registered for viewing reservation. A digital broadcast receiving apparatus comprising standby state setting means for returning to a state again. 4. The digital broadcast receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said viewing reservation canceling means comprises:
Based on the fact that the purchase operation has not been performed within the time limit, when canceling the viewing reservation of the pay-broadcast program for which viewing reservation has been registered, the viewing reservation of the pay-broadcast program is canceled, and charging is not performed. A digital broadcast receiving apparatus comprising a memory area in which an electronic mail indicating that the electronic mail has not been transmitted can be stored.