JP2006041808A - Program distribution apparatus and receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a program distribution apparatus and a receiver enabling a viewer of a program to easily view information relating to the program such as a CM. <P>SOLUTION: A broadcast station 100 broadcasts a program wherein CM is composed to part of a main program. When the viewer selects viewing of the program, a server type receiver 200 urges the viewer to select whether or not viewing of the CM is accepted. Only when the viewer selects the acceptance of the viewing of the CM, the composed CM is separated from the main program and the receiver normally reproduces all the main program. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a program distribution device that distributes a program and a receiver that receives the program to be distributed.

Now that digital broadcasting is in full swing, BS broadcasting, CS broadcasting, cable TV broadcasting, and terrestrial digital broadcasting have started, and TVs and recording devices equipped with large-capacity hard disks have become widespread.
Under such circumstances, if the multi-channel broadcasting of television broadcasting is further promoted, the program or channel that the viewer wants to watch is selected from among a large number of channels and programs.

   On the other hand, the production of a program mainly in a private broadcasting station relies on funds provided by a sponsor who wants to advertise through the program, and the advertisement information ( The question is how to show commercial messages (CM) to viewers.

  For example, when a viewer records a program to be viewed on a hard disk of a recording device and views the program later, the viewer can easily watch the program by skipping only the CM portion (so-called CM skip). If this is the case, the sponsor who conducts the advertising activities with the CM will lose the meaning of funding the program.

In view of such circumstances, a scramble technique for providing interference by encryption has been proposed so that a program can only be viewed after viewing the CM (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-7871 A

  However, in the above technique, it is necessary to separately obtain an encryption key for unscrambling and to store and manage the obtained encryption key, which causes a problem that a complicated procedure is forced.

  Also, when obtaining an encryption key, if a transmission error occurs and a normal encryption key cannot be obtained, even if the transmission error is extremely small (such as a 1-bit transmission error), the desired program cannot be viewed at all. Such a problem also arises.

  The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and provides a program distribution device and a receiver that allow a viewer of the program to easily view information related to a program such as a CM. Objective.

  In order to achieve the above object, a receiver according to the present invention receives a composite program information obtained by combining main information representing the content of a program and related information related to the program, and receiving means for receiving the related information. And determining means for determining whether or not the related information should be separated from the synthesized program information, and when the determining means determines that the related information should be separated, the received related information is used to determine the related information from the synthesized program information. Separating means for separating related information, and when the related information is not separated by the separating means, the synthesized program information is reproduced, while the related information is separated by the separating means, the main information And reproducing means for reproducing the video data.

  According to such a configuration, composite program information obtained by synthesizing main information representing the content of a program and related information related to the program such as a CM is received, and whether or not related information is separated from the received composite program information is determined. judge. Only when it is determined in this determination that the related information should be separated from the combined program information, the related information is separated from the combined program information and reproduced. When such separation is performed, related information received separately (or simultaneously) from the combined program information is used. That is, since an encryption key or the like that is not related to a program at all is used, and a CM or the like that is used when the program is played back, it can be easily and reliably separated.

  Here, in the above configuration, when the reproduction of the program is instructed, the determination unit prompts the user to determine whether to allow the related information to be reproduced, and allows the reproduction of the related information. In this case, it is preferable that the related information is determined to be separated from the synthesized program information.

  In the above configuration, the synthesized program information includes the composition source related information for identifying the synthesized related information and the composition destination main information for identifying the main information obtained by synthesizing the related information. An embodiment including these is also preferable.

  In the above configuration, it is more preferable that the program is a program using at least one of video and audio media, and that the related information is advertisement information related to the program.

  In the above configuration, it is preferable that the program is a program using video, and the related information is a part of moving image information or still image information included in the main information.

  In addition, the program distribution apparatus according to the present invention includes a generating unit that combines the main information representing the content of a program and related information related to the program to generate combined program information, the combined program information and the related information. Transmission means for transmitting.

  Here, the composite program information includes a combination source related information for specifying the combined related information and a combination destination main information for specifying the main information in which the related information is combined. Is desirable.

  In the above configuration, it is more preferable that the program is a program using at least one of video and audio media, and that the related information is advertisement information related to the program.

  In the above configuration, it is preferable that the program is a program using video, and the related information is a part of moving image information or still image information included in the main information.

  As described above, according to the present invention, information related to a program such as a CM can be easily viewed by a viewer of the program.

Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
A. First Embodiment (1) Configuration of Embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a broadcast system 300 according to a first embodiment. In this embodiment, a server type broadcast is assumed in which broadcasted programs are stored in each receiver so that each viewer can watch them whenever they like. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It can also be applied to broadcasting and the like (described later).

  The broadcast system 300 broadcasts a program produced and edited by the server computer SC via a transmitter (transmission means) TM, and a program broadcasted by the broadcast station 100 by a tuner TN ( And a server-type receiver (receiver) 200 that outputs to the display DP and the sound system SS.

<Server computer SC>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the server computer SC.
The server computer SC includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a communication device, and the like. The CPU executes various control programs stored in the ROM or the like, thereby realizing the functions of the following units.

  The program database 110 is created in advance as a first database 111 for storing recorded program files, a second database 112 for storing CM files to be inserted in the middle of a program, and a server-type broadcast program file. And a third database 113 for storing server type broadcast program files (described later).

  The control unit 120 centrally controls each unit of the server computer SC.

  Under the control of the control unit 120, the video switcher 130 is a program file transferred from the first database 111, a CM file transferred from the second database 112, and a program material for live broadcasting input from an input unit (not shown). The file to be supplied to the synthesizer 140 is switched between.

  The synthesizer 140 synthesizes a file or program material (hereinafter, a program file is assumed for convenience of explanation) and a CM file supplied via the video switcher 130 under the control of the control unit 120.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a combining operation by the combiner.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the program file before composition includes title data representing the title name and broadcast date and time of the program, and a plurality of CM data representing the contents of the CM (in FIG. 3, previous CM, middle CM, And the main program data (the main program 1 and the main program 2 in FIG. 3) representing the contents of the main program. Specifically, “previous CM” is added before “main part 1”, “medium CM” is added before “main part 2”, and “SB” (station break) representing between programs. “After CM” is added in front of.

  The synthesizer (generation unit) 140 assigns specific CM data (related information) to specific portions of specific main data (main information) according to instructions given from the control unit 120. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3B, regarding the composition of the CM of the latter half of “main part 1” (for example, the scene before the drama suddenly develops), “previous CM” is used as the composition source CM. On the other hand, regarding the composition of the CM in the latter half of “main bias 2” (for example, the highlight scene of the drama), “post CM” is used as the composition source CM. The control unit 120 may determine the CM data that is the composition source, the main data that is the composition destination, and the like, or the broadcaster may appropriately determine the data for each program.

  FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 are diagrams illustrating CM data as a composition source, main data before the CM data is combined, and main data after the CM data is combined. As shown in FIG. 6, by combining the CM data, it becomes difficult to see the portion of the displayed image where the CM is combined, but it is not completely invisible. The CM combined with the main data is separated when each server type receiver 200 meets a condition described later. However, if it is not separated, a viewer can accept the point that the main data is difficult to see. There is an advantage that the contents can be confirmed (details will be described later).

  In addition, in order to cause a bit overflow if video synthesis is simply performed, in the present embodiment, a process of returning to the original state at the time of decoding, such as an exclusive OR (EXOR) process for each bit, is employed as a CM data synthesis process. However, this method is merely an example, and what kind of processing is employed can be appropriately changed according to the design of the system.

  On the other hand, the additional information generation unit 150 generates so-called metadata (CM additional information and program additional information in this embodiment) to be added to the program file after the CM composition, and supplies these to the multiplexing device 160.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating contents of CM additional information and program additional information.

  The CM additional information (combining source related information) is information added for each CM data, and CM identifying information for identifying the CM and a combining source determination indicating whether or not the CM data is the combining source. It includes a flag (for example, “0”; non-combining source, “1”; combining source) and CM time limit information indicating the storage time limit of the CM data.

The program additional information (composition destination main information) includes a CM composition determination flag (for example, “0”; no composition, “1”; composition is present) indicating whether or not the CM is a synthesized program file, and a composition source. It includes CM information, composition main information, composition processing information, and remote control operation information.
The composition source CM information is information for specifying the composition source CM data. For example, the CM identification information for identifying the composition source CM data and the position of the composition source CM data (how many frames how many seconds) For example).
On the other hand, the composition destination main information is information for specifying the composition data as the composition destination. For example, the composition identification information for identifying the composition data as the composition destination and the position (how many seconds) of the composition data as the composition destination. This is composed of main part position information representing how many frames).

  Further, the composition processing information is composed of information indicating the contents of CM data composition processing (for example, EXOR, the number of shift bits, etc.), information designating the time of decompressing compressed video, and the like. Furthermore, the remote control operation information is information necessary for a viewer using the server-type receiver 200 to select and determine a program by remote control operation, and includes program identification information for identifying a program, program genre and production. It consists of information about homes, performers, etc., EPG data, and so on.

  The multiplexing device (generation unit) 160 adds the CM additional information and the number addition information supplied from the additional information generation unit 150 to the program file after the CM supplied from the combiner 140 is combined, and multiplexes this. Etc., and sequentially supplied to the transmitter TM as a server type broadcast program file. The transmitter TM distributes the multiplexed server type broadcast program file supplied from the server computer SC to each server type receiver 200.

<Client computer CC>
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the client computer CC.
The client computer CC includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a communication device, and the like. The CPU executes various control programs stored in the ROM or the like, thereby realizing the functions of the following units.

The tuner video processing unit (reception unit) 210 sequentially stores server-type broadcast program files received from an antenna (not shown) via the tuner TN in the received program database 220.
The received program database 220 includes a hard disk or the like, and stores a plurality of server type broadcast program files supplied from the tuner video processing unit 210.

  The control unit 230 centrally controls each unit of the server-type receiver 200 and plays a role of storing and managing each server-type broadcast program file stored in the received program database 220. The control unit (determination unit) 230 also plays a role of determining whether or not the CM data synthesized at a specific portion of the main data for the server type broadcast program file should be separated.

The CM retention time limit management unit 240 refers to the CM time limit information added to each server-type broadcast program file to perform processing such as storage / discarding of corresponding CM data.
The separation processing unit (separating means) 250 separates the CM data from the main data (see FIG. 6) in which the CM data is synthesized for the server type broadcast program file that has been selected for viewing by the viewer. The main data (see FIG. 5) before the CM data is synthesized is obtained.

  The reproduction unit (reproduction means) 260 reproduces the program selected by the viewer under the control of the control unit 230, thereby displaying the program video on the display DP, or the program music from the sound system SS. And audio. Note that the content played back by the playback unit 260 differs depending on conditions described later. For example, when the conditions are met, the main data (see FIG. 6) with CM data being synthesized is played back, while the conditions are met. If not, the main data before synthesis (see FIG. 5) from which the CM data is separated is reproduced. Note that the details of the content and the like reproduced by the reproducing unit 260 will be clarified in the following description of the operation of the broadcasting system 300.

(2) Operation of Embodiment FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the broadcast station 100, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the server type receiver 200.

  When the server computer SC of the broadcast station 100 determines a program to be broadcast (step Sa1), the server computer SC extracts information necessary for the program (for example, a predetermined program file or a CM file) from a program database or the like. The server computer SC determines CM data to be combined from the CM data included in the extracted CM file, and determines main data to be combined from the main data included in the extracted program file ( Step Sa2 → Step Sa3).

  Then, the server computer SC generates a combined program file as shown in FIG. 3B by combining the composition source CM data with the composition data of the composition destination (step Sa4). Further, the server computer SC generates CM additional information and program additional information constituting the metadata as shown in FIG. 7, and adds this to the combined program file (step Sa5).

  The server computer SC multiplexes the combined program file to which the CM additional information and the program additional information are added, and sequentially supplies it to the transmitter TM as a server-type broadcast program file (step Sa6). As a result, the multiplexed server type broadcast program file is distributed to each server type receiver 200 via the transmitter TM.

  On the other hand, when the client computer CC of the server type receiver 200 receives the server type broadcast program file via the tuner TN or the like, it stores it in the received program database 220 (step Sb1 → step Sb2). Thereafter, when the client computer CC receives an instruction to view a predetermined program from a remote control device (not shown) or the like (step Sb3; YES), the client computer CC, from among a plurality of server type program files stored in the received program database 220, The server type program file for which the viewing instruction has been given is extracted (step Sb4). More specifically, the client computer CC refers to remote control operation information included in each server type program file, and extracts a server type program file for which a viewing instruction has been given.

  When such extraction is performed, the client computer CC first refers to the combination determination flag included in the server type program file to determine whether or not the CM is a combined server type program file (step Sb5). When the client computer CC determines that the CM is a combined server type program file (step Sb5; YES), the client computer CC prompts the viewer to determine whether or not to watch the CM ("Do you watch the CM?" “Select“ YES ”when viewing, select“ NO ”when not viewing”, etc. ”) is displayed on the display DP or the like (step Sb6). On the other hand, if the client computer CC determines that the CM is not a combined server type program file (step Sb5; NO), the client computer CC proceeds to step Sb10 and performs normal playback processing (processing for playback as it is in time series). Then, the process ends.

  When the character message is displayed on the display DP or the like, the client computer CC determines whether or not to view the CM during program playback based on an instruction sent from a remote control device (not shown) or the like (step Sb7). When the client computer (determination means) CC receives an instruction to view the CM from a remote control device (not shown) or the like (step Sb7; YES), the client computer (determination means) CC separates the CM data synthesized at a specific portion of the main data (step Sb7). Sb8), the process proceeds to step Sb9 for reproduction, and the process ends. As a result, each CM part is reproduced without being skipped, and the main part is also reproduced normally (see FIG. 5 and the like). Note that after the CM is viewed once, the entire main part is normally reproduced even if the CM is skipped.

  On the other hand, when the client computer (determination means) CC receives an instruction not to view the CM from a remote control device (not shown) or the like (step Sb7; NO), it skips step Sb8 and proceeds to step Sb9 to store the main data. The CM data synthesized at the specific location is reproduced as it is without being separated, and the processing is terminated. As a result, although each CM part is skipped (that is, not reproduced), the CM synthesized at a specific part of the main part is not separated, and the part becomes difficult to see (see FIG. 6 and the like).

  As described above, the broadcast system 300 according to the present embodiment broadcasts a program in which a CM is combined with a part of the main part from the broadcast station 100 in order to prevent a CM skip. In the server-type receiver 200, even if this program is reproduced as it is, it is difficult to see the main part in which the CM is synthesized. Therefore, the viewer who desires normal reproduction in all the main parts selects to accept the CM. As a result of such selection, the synthesized CM is separated from the main part, and normal reproduction is performed in all the main parts.

  In this way, by masking a part of the main part using a CM that forms a part of the program, it is possible to guide the viewer to see the CM. Also, free broadcasting with CM can be realized in server-type broadcasting.

  On the other hand, if the viewer can watch the main part that is normally played back by watching the CM, and if it is allowed to be difficult to see in the composition part of the CM, the viewer can view the main part without watching the CM. You can get an overview. It is also possible to select such as viewing a CM that is difficult to watch in the CM combining portion and then viewing the CM when viewing it again. Furthermore, the server type receiver 200 can generate a free space in the received program database by separating the CM synthesized in the main part and deleting it after reproducing the CM at least once.

B. Modification <Modification 1>
In the present embodiment described above, a server-type broadcast is assumed in which broadcasted programs are stored in each receiver so that each viewer can watch each time they like. It can also be applied to broadcasting of type programs. However, when it is applied to the broadcasting of a stream type program, as shown in FIG. 3C, the CM data that is the composition source is limited to the CM data that is transmitted before the composition data of the composition destination ( For example, “medium CM” for “main part 2”).

  Although not specifically mentioned in the present embodiment, the same applies to the case where so-called “chasing playback” (playback with time difference while recording) is performed in a receiver equipped with a hard disk or the like. Is possible.

<Modification 2>
In the above-described embodiment, a CM such as a program sponsor is exemplified as a composition source. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a moving image forming a part of the program, a still image (telop or the like) shown in one frame, and the like. Any information related to the program (program-related information) can be applied.

  In addition to a video, a function representing a striped pattern or the like may be designated as a composition source, and further, a sound forming a part of a broadcast program may be designated as a composition source.

  In addition, the original video and the video to be synthesized are shifted by a predetermined time (for example, 15 seconds) and then simply synthesized and broadcasted. If the receiver does not play back continuously from the beginning, a normal video can be seen. It is also possible to perform processing such as no.

<Modification 3>
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the CM file and the program file (or live broadcast material) are sent together has been described. However, for example, the CM file and the program file (or live broadcast material) may be transmitted separately. Alternatively, transmission may be performed using different communication paths.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the transmission form of the server-type broadcast program file is not particularly mentioned, but the transmission via the terrestrial wave, the transmission via an artificial satellite such as BS or CS, the transmission via a cable TV or the Internet, etc. It is applicable to.

  The server-type receiver 200 may be configured as a separate configuration by connecting the tuner TN, the client computer CC, the display DP, and the sound system SS by wire connection (or wireless connection), but these may be integrated. good. In addition to the HDD recorder and DVD recorder, the server-type receiver 200 can be applied to a general personal computer, a PDA, a mobile phone, a television, and the like having a tuner function and a hard disk function.

<Modification 4>
In the above-described embodiment, the video compression / decompression is not particularly mentioned. However, the video may be broadcast after being compressed using, for example, the MPEG-2 method and adjusting the bit rate. Specifically, a method of synthesizing the CM after compression at the broadcasting station 100 or a method of compressing after synthesizing the CM can be employed. However, in view of CM viewing, the CM is compressed after synthesizing. Is more effective. The reason will be described below.

  When the viewer considers avoiding CM viewing, if the receiver 200 is equipped with a function for automatically separating synthesized CMs (CM automatic separation function), the viewer uses this CM automatic separation function. Attempt to separate CMs. Here, if the CM is synthesized after being compressed, separation or the like can be performed uniquely in the receiver 200.

  On the other hand, when the image is compressed after combining the CM (that is, the original images before compression are combined), the receiver 200 needs to perform a separation operation after expansion, and the superiority or inferiority of the expansion processing is required. Depending on the case, complete separation may not be possible. If there is noticeable noise on the video obtained after the separation, the processing parameters are set so that the viewer can visually confirm the expansion process conforming to MPEG-2 to the compression process of the broadcasting station 100. There is a case where the noise can be suppressed by changing. In such a case, after all, automatic processing by the receiver 200 is not sufficient, and the viewer needs to actually confirm. Further, in order to store an image that has been decompressed and separated into CMs, it is necessary to recompress the signal in the receiver 200, whereby the image stored in the receiver 200 is the original image sent from the broadcast station 100. It will be different. As described above, by broadcasting the compressed CM after synthesizing the CM, it is possible to make the viewer hesitant to automatically separate the CM by the receiver 200.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a server computer SC ′ according to the fourth modification, FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of the client computer CC ′ according to the fourth modification, and FIG. 13 is a program additional information according to the fourth modification. FIG. 11, 12, and 13, parts corresponding to those in FIGS. 2, 8, and 7 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The compression processing unit 170 of the server computer SC ′ shown in FIG. 11 performs compression processing such as MPEG-2 on the program file after the CM supplied from the synthesizer 140 is synthesized, and multiplexes the compressed program file. Supply to device 160.

  The additional information generation unit 150 displays program additional information including designation information at the time of decompression of compressed video, in addition to the CM composition determination flag, composition source CM information, composition destination main information, composition processing information, remote control operation information shown in FIG. Generate (see FIG. 13). The designation information at the time of decompression of the compressed video included in the program additional information is parameter information related to compression / decompression processing such as MPEG-2, for example, false version information such as decompression processing to be executed in the receiver 200 (for example, correct The version is “version 2”, whereas “version 3” or the like is written. In this way, by setting false version information such as decompression processing as designation information at the time of compression / expansion, it is possible to suppress the automatic CM separation processing by the receiver 200.

  On the other hand, each decompression processing unit 270 of the client computer CC ′ shown in FIG. 12 has the CM data separated by the separation processing unit 250 if the program selected by the viewer is a server-type broadcast program file synthesized with CM. If the program selected by the viewer is a server-type broadcast program file that has not been synthesized with a CM while the subsequent program file is expanded, it is directly received from the received program database 220 (ie, via the separation processing unit 250). (Without) Decompress the supplied program file. Then, the expansion processing unit 270 supplies the program file after the expansion processing to the reproduction unit 260. Since the operation of other components is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. As described above, MPEG-2 compression or the like may be applied to a broadcast program. Although this modification has been described on the assumption that server-type broadcasting is used, it can also be applied to broadcasting of a stream-type program in which a received program is reproduced in real time, as in Modification 1.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the broadcast system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the server computer which concerns on the same embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the synthetic | combination operation | movement by the combiner | synthesizer which concerns on the same embodiment. It is the figure which illustrated CM data used as the composition origin concerning the embodiment. It is the figure which illustrated main part data before CM data concerning the embodiment are combined. It is the figure which illustrated the main data after the CM data concerning the embodiment were combined. It is the figure which illustrated CM additional information and program additional information concerning the embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the client computer which concerns on the same embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the broadcasting station which concerns on the same embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the server type receiver which concerns on the same embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the server computer which concerns on the modification 4. It is a figure which shows the structure of the client computer which concerns on the modification. It is the figure which illustrated program additional information concerning the modification.

Explanation of symbols

  SC, SC '... server computer, TM ... transmitter, TN ... tuner, DP ... display, SS ... sound system, CC, CC' ... client computer, 100 ... Broadcast station, 110 ... program database, 111 ... first database, 112 ... second database, 113 ... third database, 120 ... control unit, 130 ... video switcher, 140 ..Synthesizer 150 ... additional information generator 160 ... multiplexer 170 ... compression processor 200 ... server type receiver 210 ... tuner video processor 220 ..Received program database, 230 ... control unit, 240 ... CM retention period management unit, 250 ... separation processing unit, 260 ... reproduction unit, 270 ... decompression process Part.

Claims (11)

Receiving means for receiving synthesized program information obtained by synthesizing main information representing the contents of a program and related information related to the program, and receiving the related information;
Determining means for determining whether the related information should be separated from the synthesized program information;
Separating means for separating the related information from the synthesized program information using the related information when it is determined by the determining means to be separated;
When the related information is not separated by the separating means, the synthesized program information is played back, and when the related information is separated by the separating means, the playing information is played back. A receiver characterized by that.   When the reproduction of the program is instructed, the determination means prompts the user to determine whether or not to allow the reproduction of the related information. When the reproduction of the related information is permitted, the determination unit determines whether the reproduction of the related information is permitted. The receiver according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that related information should be separated.   3. The synthesized program information includes synthesis source related information related to synthesized related information and synthesized destination main information related to main information in which the related information is synthesized. Receiver. The receiver according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the program is a program using at least one of video and audio media.   The receiver according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the related information is advertisement information related to the program. The program is a program using video,
The receiver according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the related information is partial moving image information or still image information included in the main information. Generating means for generating synthesized program information by synthesizing main information representing the contents of a program and related information related to the program;
A program distribution apparatus comprising: transmission means for transmitting the synthesized program information and the related information.   8. The synthesized program information includes synthesized source related information related to synthesized related information and synthesized destination main information related to main information in which the related information is synthesized. Program distribution device. The program distribution apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the program is a program using at least one of video and audio media.   The program distribution apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the related information is advertisement information related to the program. The program is a program using video,
9. The program distribution apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the related information is a part of moving image information or still image information included in the main information.

Images