JP2008118629A - Receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically select whether the data output of a receiver is to be a scrambled one or a descrambled one, by inserting a control signal that comply with program provider's intent into a transmission signal. <P>SOLUTION: On the transmission side, the control information on whether the output is a scrambled one, as it is, or a descrambled one is inserted into the transmission signal. The receiving side is provided with a descrambler that cancels scramble of signal, after channel decoding. With the separation of the multiplexed signal output of the descrambler into video and audio encoded data, outputting the data to a source decoder as it is, the receiver automatically changes-over by selecting the scrambled output or the descrambled output, according to the program provider's intent by extracting the control information inserted by the transmission side. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a broadcast transmission / reception system, and inserts control information according to a program supplier's intention on a transmission side on a transmission side, and decodes the control information on a reception side, thereby decoding a signal and a scrambled signal. The present invention relates to a control system for automatically switching and outputting a scrambled signal and a transmission / reception apparatus.

A conditional access system in a conventional digital broadcast receiver is based on the configuration shown in FIG. In the figure, 201 is a video / audio / data input terminal, 202 is a scramble key (Ks) input terminal, 203 is a work key (Kw) input terminal, 204 is a master key (Km) input terminal, 205 is a scrambler, 206 Is a Ks encryption unit, 207 is a Kw encryption unit, 208 is a descrambler, 209 is a Ks decryption unit, 210 is a Kw decryption unit, 211 is a video / audio / data output terminal, 212 is a program attribute information input terminal Reference numeral 213 denotes a contract information input terminal.

A conventional conditional access system will be described with reference to FIG.

First, on the transmission side, the scrambler 205 performs scramble processing for the purpose of limited reception on the transport stream (TS) input from the video / audio / data input terminal 201. The scrambled signal is transmitted to the receiving side together with program information (ECM) and individual information (EMM). Here, the ECM is information obtained by encrypting the scramble key (Ks) and the program attribute information. The key for decrypting this encrypted information is the work key (Kw). The work key (Kw) is also encrypted together with the contract information and sent to the receiving side as individual information (EMM). The key for decrypting the encrypted EMM is the master key Km.

Next, the receiving side extracts the EMM and ECM from the received TS, decrypts the code, and determines whether the program to be received can be received based on the contract. If the contents match the contract contents, Kw is decrypted by Km, and Ks decrypted by Kw is passed to descrambler 208 to be scrambled.

In the above system, when data output to a recording medium such as a VTR is considered, if a descrambled signal is output, the signal is always output in a scrambled state. In such a case, for example, a pay broadcast program that is charged for each viewing time or each viewing program is charged only when viewed for the first time, and if recorded on some recording medium at that time, the second time Thereafter, the viewer can watch the game as many times as possible without being charged, and there is a possibility that a situation contrary to the intention of the program provider or a copyright problem may occur.

If the data output from the digital broadcast receiver is a scrambled signal, the viewer cannot view it except during the period in which the program is provided. However, there are programs that the viewer wants to record, and it is desirable that the program be recorded on a VTR or the like and viewed at any time if the consent of the program provider is obtained.

Therefore, in the configuration as described above, there is some problem if data output to an external device such as a recording medium is determined to be either scrambled or descrambled.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems and automatically switch data output to an external device such as a recording medium as scrambled or descrambled according to the intention of the program provider. An object of the present invention is to provide a broadcast transmission / reception apparatus that can perform such a process.

In order to solve the above problems, the broadcast transmission / reception system of the present invention comprises control information to be inserted into a transmission signal on the transmission side, and a channel decoder, descrambler, demultiplexer, source decoder, CPU, and switch on the reception side. On the receiving side, control information according to the intention of the program provider is inserted into the transmission signal, and on the receiving side, the channel decoder performs processing such as channel selection, digital demodulation, error correction, and the descrambler is used for limited reception. The demultiplexer separates the multiplexed information into video and audio encoded data and extracts the control information inserted on the transmission side, and the source decoder decodes the encoded data. And the CPU squeezes the control information extracted by the demultiplexer. The switch decodes the control signal that switches whether to output the unscrambled signal or the descrambled signal, and the switch outputs the scrambled signal and the descrambled signal according to the control signal from the CPU. It is configured to switch and output.

With the above configuration, control information according to the intention of the program provider is inserted in the transmission signal on the transmission side, and on the reception side, the descrambler is de-scrambled from the signal after channel decoding, and the multiplexed information is demultiplexed by the demultiplexer. The encoded data of video and audio is separated and output to the source decoder, and the control information inserted on the transmission side is extracted and output to the CPU. The source decoder decodes video and audio encoded data, respectively. The CPU decodes a control signal that determines whether to output a scrambled signal or a descrambled signal from the control information extracted by the demultiplexer, and by switching the switch based on this result, It is possible to automatically switch between scrambled output and descrambled output. In this way, it is possible to provide a broadcast transmitting / receiving apparatus that can obtain a signal output according to the intention of the program provider.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to automatically select whether the signal output to the external device is a scrambled signal or a descrambled signal according to the intention of the program supplier. .

Examples of the present invention will be described below. In addition, the same code | symbol and symbol shall mean the same structure.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of processing on the broadcast side of the present invention, in which 701 is an encoder, 702 is a scrambler, 703 is a multiplexer, 704 is transmission path encoding means, 705 is modulation means, and 706 is control information insertion. Means 707 is a video signal input terminal, 708 is an audio signal input terminal, and 709 is a transmission signal output terminal.

  A video signal and an audio signal are input to the video signal input terminal 707 and the audio signal input terminal 708, respectively, and compression processing is performed by the encoder 701. As a compression method, there are a method using DPCM (Differential Pulse Code Modulation), a method using DCT (Discrete Cosine Transform), and a method using MPEG2 (Moving Picture Experts Group Phase 2). The encoded data obtained by compression is input to the scrambler 702 and subjected to scramble processing for the purpose of limited reception.

  The control information insertion unit 706 performs a process of inserting control information that defines whether the output to the external device of the receiver is a scrambled signal or a descrambled signal. Although the place which inserts the control information is arbitrary, the example is shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example in which control information is inserted into a section or descriptor area of PSI (Program Specific Information), EMM (Entitlement Control Message) or ECM (Entitlement Management Message) defined in MPEG2. PSI includes information such as multiplexed video, audio, data, etc. that enables the receiving side to separate packets of elements that make up services and programs, programs such as program names, broadcast channel names, and broadcast dates and times. Information related to is shown. The ECM shows key information for descrambling, and the EMM shows contract information for each subscriber. Control information that defines whether the output to the external device of the receiver is a scrambled signal or a descrambled signal is inserted into these PSI, ECM, and EMM. Whether the output of the receiver to the external device is a scramble signal or a descramble signal may be set according to the intention of the program provider. Further, in order to avoid a risk that the intention of the program provider is threatened by fraud, the output to the external device of the receiver is made a scrambled signal or after descrambling, for example, by a method as shown in FIG. Control information (output point control information) that defines whether the signal is to be used may be encrypted. In FIG. 5, the output point control information is encrypted together with the program attribute information and transmitted to the receiving side as an ECM. The key Kc for decrypting the encrypted ECM is encrypted together with the contract information and transmitted as an EMM. Although FIG. 5 shows two-stage encryption, one-stage encryption may be used.

  As described above, the control signal in which the output point control information to the external device of the receiver is inserted by the control information insertion unit 706 is multiplexed with the data output from the scrambler 702 by the multiplexer 703, and the transmission path coding is performed. Output to means 704.

  The transmission path encoding means 704 encodes the data multiplexed by the multiplexer 703 using a technique such as convolutional encoding such as Viterbi code or block encoding such as Reed-Solomon code.

  The encoded data is subjected to digital modulation such as OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex) or QPSK (Quadrature Phase Shift Keying) by the modulation means 705 and transmitted.

  Next, processing on the receiving side will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, where 101 is a signal input terminal, 102 is a tuner, 103 is a demodulator, 104 is an error correction circuit, 105 is a descrambler, 106 is a demultiplexer, and 107 is a switch. , 108 is a CPU, 109 is a source decoder, 110 is a video output terminal, 111 is an audio output terminal, 112 is an external device connection terminal, 120 is a channel decoding unit, and 121 is a selection means.

The operation will be described below.

A signal input from the signal input terminal 101 is tuned and demodulated by the tuner 102, and a baseband signal is output to the demodulator 103.

Demodulator 103 demodulates a digitally modulated signal such as OFDM, QPSK, or QAM on the transmission side, and outputs the demodulated signal to error correction circuit 104.

The error correction circuit 104 performs an operation for correcting an error due to the influence of noise or the like generated in the transmission path. Examples of error correction methods include convolutional coding such as Viterbi code, block coding such as Reed-Solomon code, or a method using a concatenated code combining a convolutional code and a block code.

The descrambler 105 unscrambles the signal scrambled for the purpose of limited reception on the transmission side. Thereafter, the demultiplexer 106 separates the multiplexed information into video and audio encoded data. The separated encoded data is decoded by the source decoder 109, and the video signal is output to the video signal output terminal 110 and the audio signal is output to the audio output terminal 111.

Here, the demultiplexer 106 extracts PSI (Program Specific Information), which is information necessary for decoding the program, in addition to the function of separating the multiplexed information as described above into video and audio encoded data. Has function. The operation of automatically switching whether the data output to the external device remains scrambled or after descrambling based on the control information incorporated in the PSI will be specifically described below.

First, control information that determines whether a data output point to an external device, that is, data output to the external device is a front stage or a rear stage of the descrambler 105, is inserted into a signal in advance on the transmission side. As an insertion method, for example, as described above, in the case of MPEG2, it is inserted into a section or descriptor area of PSI, EMM, or ECM (see FIG. 4).

On the other hand, on the receiving side, the demultiplexer 106 extracts PSI from the encoded data, and outputs the extracted information to the CPU 108. The CPU 108 decodes the control information for determining the data output point to the external device inserted in the PSI, and controls the switching of the switch 107 based on the result. For example, when the control information for determining the data output point is “1”, the switch 107 is switched so that the signal in the previous stage of the descrambler 105 is output, and the scrambled signal is output to the external device. On the contrary, when the control information is “0”, the switch 107 is switched so that a signal after descrambling, that is, a signal after descrambling is output.

As a result, the external device connection terminal 112 can automatically switch and output a scrambled signal or a descrambled signal.

The external device is, for example, DVHS or a personal computer, and includes a personal recording medium.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, an interface circuit 113 for matching the rate of the receiver and the external device may be inserted between the switch 107 and the external device connection terminal 112. 6 is the same as FIG. 1 except for the interface circuit 113.

As described above, the control information indicating whether the data output from the receiver remains scrambled or after descrambling is inserted into the signal on the transmitting side, and this is automatically decoded by the receiving side, and the data output point By switching the, control according to the intention of the program supplier can be performed. For example, a pay broadcast program that is charged for each viewing time or each viewing program is recorded on a recording medium such as a VTR, so that it can be viewed repeatedly without being charged only once with a viewing fee. If you want to avoid such a situation, insert the control information “Keep the data output from the receiver scrambled” into the transmission signal, and the scrambled signal will be input to the recording medium. It is possible to prevent viewing without being charged.

Note that descrambling is required on the external adapter side in order to view a program that has been recorded while being scrambled. Accordingly, descrambling processing in the external adapter will be described.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of performing descrambling processing in the external adapter. Each key information is required to scramble, but the scramble key (Ks) and work key (Kw) are inserted into the transmission signal and recorded in the recording / reproducing unit, so that the master key (Km) information is given. For example, the recorded program can be unscrambled. When a removable security module such as an IC card in which master key information is embedded is used in the receiver, as shown in FIG. 7, by making the IC card usable on the external adapter side, A program recorded in a scrambled state can be descrambled and viewed. If viewing record information is added to the billing information of the IC card and the billing information is transmitted to the center when the IC card is inserted into the receiver next time, the viewing time or viewing You will be charged according to the number of times. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which the billing information stored in the IC card is transmitted to the billing center using the telephone line. Although FIG. 8 shows an example in which the master key information (Km) and the billing information are recorded on the same IC card, the master key information (Km) and the billing information can be recorded on independent storage media. . Further, FIG. 8 shows an example in which the billing information is transmitted through a telephone line. However, when the external device is a personal computer, the billing method is arbitrary, such as transmitting viewing records to the center through personal computer communication. 7, 401 is a recording / playback unit, 402 is a descrambler, 403 is Ks decoding means, 404 is Kw decoding means, 405 is an IC card, 406 is an audio / video signal output terminal, and 407 in FIG. Indicates a billing management center, 408 indicates a telephone line, and the same number indicates the same part.

Next, FIG. 9 shows a second example of descrambling the program recorded in the recording / playback unit in the external adapter. In FIG. 9, reference numeral 601 denotes an external signal input terminal, and the others are the same as those in FIG. When a signal recorded on the recording medium while being scrambled is input to the external signal input terminal 601, the descrambled signal is output through the descrambler 105, the demultiplexer 106, and the source decoder 109. At this time, the viewing record is automatically added to the billing information. In this way, a program recorded while being scrambled can be descrambled and viewed at any time, and billing information is automatically recorded.

  When the external signal input terminal shown in FIG. 9 is in the front stage of the descrambler, as shown in FIG. 10, it is also a receiver that outputs signals before being descrambled to the external device connection terminal. effective. That is, it is problematic in terms of the copyright of the program to output the unscrambled signal to the external terminal. Therefore, all signals output to the external terminal are output without releasing the scramble. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, a scrambled signal is output to the external connection terminal 122. However, even if a scrambled signal is recorded on some recording medium, it cannot be reproduced as it is. In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, by inputting a signal recorded on the recording medium from an external input terminal 601 at the front stage of the descrambler 105, the scramble can be released and reproduced. 10 and 11, reference numeral 122 denotes an external device connection terminal, and blocks having the same numbers as those in FIGS. 1 and 6 perform the same operation.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram that automatically switches and records a scrambled signal and a scrambled signal in accordance with control information inserted on the transmission side, and records the scrambled signal during playback. It is a block diagram which shows the example of the apparatus which has the function to scramble. In FIG. 12, 113 is a recording / reproducing unit, 114 is an external signal input terminal, 115 is a user command input terminal, 117 is a reproduction signal input switching means, 118 is a descrambler, 119 is a demultiplexer, and the other numbers of FIG. The block performs the same operation as in FIG.

  The recording / playback unit 113 records a signal output from the selection unit 121 when a recording command is input by the user from the user command input terminal 115. When a reproduction command is input by the user from the user command input terminal 115, the recording / reproducing unit 113 reads the recorded signal and supplies it to the reproduction signal input switching unit 117 and the demultiplexer 119.

  The reproduction signal input switching means 117 outputs to the descrambler 118 when the signal supplied from the recording / reproducing unit 113 is a scrambled signal, and to the demultiplexer 119 when the signal is not scrambled. Output.

  As a signal for switching the reproduction signal input switching means 117, control information inserted at the time of transmission is extracted from the signal output from the recording / reproducing unit 113, decoded, and switched according to the information. That is, when a pre-recorded signal is output from the recording / reproducing unit 113 in response to a user command, the demultiplexer 119 extracts control information inserted at the time of transmission from the signal output from the recording / reproducing unit 113 and supplies it to the CPU. To do. The CPU decodes this control information and switches the output of the reproduction signal input switching means 117. Here, the control information inserted at the time of transmission may be the same information as the information for controlling the output of the switch 107. That is, if the signal recorded in the recording / reproducing unit 113 is a signal output from the preceding stage of the descrambler 118, the signal read from the recording / reproducing unit 113 is reproduced via the reproduction signal switching means 117 during reproduction. What is necessary is just to input into the Rambler 118. If the signal recorded in the recording / playback unit 113 is a signal output from the subsequent stage of the descrambler 118, it may be input to the subsequent stage of the descrambler 118 during playback. FIG. 12 shows that the switch 107 and the reproduction signal input switching means 117 are controlled by the same CPU. However, since the switch 107 and the reproduction signal input switching means 117 operate independently, the switch 107 and the reproduction signal input switching means are operated. The CPU that controls 117 may be independent.

  As described above, if the signal output from the recording / reproducing unit 113 is a signal before being descrambled, it is input to the descrambler 118, and after descrambling, is input to the demultiplexer 119. If the signal output from the recording / reproducing unit 113 is a descrambled signal, it is input to the demultiplexer 119.

  Then, the demultiplexer 119 separates the video signal and the audio signal, and is decoded by the source decoder 109, and the video signal is output to the video output terminal 110 and the audio signal is output to the audio output terminal 111.

  Here, in addition to the signal output from the switch 107, the recording / reproducing unit 113 can also record a signal from an external device input from the external input terminal 114. Although FIG. 12 shows only one external input terminal of the recording / reproducing unit 113, the number of input terminals is arbitrary.

  Next, FIG. 13 shows an example of a receiving apparatus that displays whether a signal before descrambling or a signal after descrambling is output to the external device connection terminal. In the figure, 125 is an antenna, 126 is an output signal processing means, 127 is a display, 128 is a speaker, 129 is an LED, and others are the same as in FIG. The operation will be described below.

  The radio wave received by the antenna 125 is input to the tuner, and thereafter the same operation as in FIG. 1 is performed. However, the following operations are different. The CPU 108 decodes the control information from the signal output from the demultiplexer 106, selects whether the output to the external device is a scrambled signal or a descrambled signal, and selects the selection information. This is sent to the output signal processing means 126. The output signal processing means 126 displays the video and audio signals output from the source decoder 109 and the LED or the like so that it can be seen which one is selected based on the selection information supplied from the CPU. Process. Although FIG. 13 shows an example of an LED as a display method, the display method is arbitrary.

  As described above, by displaying whether the signal output to the external device output terminal 112 is a scrambled signal or an unscrambled signal, the output signal is reproduced, for example. You can know without it.

It is a block diagram which shows one Example of this invention. It is a figure explaining a prior art example. It is a figure explaining a transmission method. It is a figure explaining the control information inserted in a transmission signal. It is a figure explaining encryption of a control signal. It is a block diagram which shows the 2nd Example of this invention. It is a figure explaining the descrambling process in an external device. It is a figure explaining the transmission method of accounting information. It is a block diagram which shows the 3rd Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the 4th Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the 5th Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the 6th Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the 7th Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

101: Signal input terminal,
102 ... Tuner,
103 ... demodulator,
104 ... error correction circuit,
105 ... descrambler,
106: Demultiplexer,
107 ... switch,
108 ... CPU,
109 ... Source decoder,
110: Video output terminal,
111 ... Audio output terminal,
112 ... External device connection terminal,
120 ... channel decoding unit,
121: Selection means.

Claims (18)

In a receiving device that receives a scrambled signal,
A receiving apparatus characterized by selectively outputting a scrambled signal or a scrambled signal based on control information contained in the received signal.   A circuit that outputs a scrambled signal after scrambled and a circuit that selectively outputs a scrambled signal or a scrambled signal independently of the circuit. The receiving device according to claim 1.   The circuit for selectively outputting the scrambled signal or the unscrambled signal extracts and decodes the control information inserted in the transmission signal, and scrambles based on the decoded control information. The receiving apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the receiving apparatus selects and outputs an unscrambled signal or a scrambled signal. In a receiving device that receives a scrambled signal,
A circuit for unscrambled and outputting a scrambled signal, and an input terminal for inputting a scrambled signal before the circuit for unscrambled and output, independently of the circuit. A receiving device. In a receiving device that receives a scrambled signal,
A receiving device characterized in that a scrambled signal is output after being scrambled, and a scrambled signal can be output independently of the circuit. In a transmission method in which information to be transmitted is scrambled and transmitted,
A step of multiplexing the scrambled signal and a control signal defining a process when the scrambled signal is received;
The transmission method according to claim 1, wherein the control signal is a signal added with the intention of outputting a signal in a scrambled state on the receiving side or a signal in a scrambled state.   The transmission method according to claim 6, wherein the control information is at least in a section or a descriptor area in the transmission control information.   8. The transmission method according to claim 7, wherein the control information is in a predetermined position in the section or descriptor area, and the amount of information is 1 bit.   The transmission method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the control information is transmitted after being subjected to at least one stage of encryption processing. On the transmitting side, a process of multiplexing a scrambled signal and a control signal defining a process when the scrambled signal is received, and the control signal is a signal scrambled on the receiving side Or a signal added with the intention of outputting the signal before being scrambled, and including the step of transmitting the multiplexed signal,
A signal transmission / reception method comprising a step of selectively outputting, on the receiving side, a scrambled signal or a scrambled signal based on control information contained in the received signal. In a recording / reproducing method for recording or reproducing a signal,
The scrambled signal is read using the key information necessary for decrypting the signal recorded on the medium, and the scrambled signal is read and then scrambled and restored. Recording / playback method. A recording / reproducing means for reproducing a signal using key information necessary for decrypting the signal recorded on the recording medium with the scrambled signal;
A descrambler for restoring the scrambled signal output from the recording / reproducing means;
And a scrambled signal output from the recording / reproducing means. A receiving device including a circuit that scrambles and outputs a scrambled signal, and a circuit that selectively outputs a scrambled signal and a scrambled signal independently of the circuit; Recording and reproducing means for recording and reproducing the signal of
When the signal output from the receiving apparatus and recorded in the recording / reproducing means is a scrambled signal, it can be reproduced by releasing the scramble by inputting to the circuit that outputs the scrambled signal. Recording / playback device with built-in receiver. A circuit that outputs the scrambled signal to the display device after unscrambled,
A television receiver including a circuit that selectively outputs an unscrambled signal and a scrambled signal to an external terminal independently of the circuit. Display means for displaying selection information as to whether the circuit that selectively outputs the scrambled signal and the scrambled signal is outputting a scrambled signal or a scrambled signal. And comprising
15. The television receiver according to claim 14, wherein which of the scrambled signal and the unscrambled signal is output is displayed.   Recording / reproducing means for recording or reproducing a signal records key information necessary for decoding a signal recorded in advance while being scrambled, and from the recording / reproducing means using the key information. A billing system that generates billing information when an output scrambled signal is restored by a descrambler, and bills based on the billing information.   In the case of having charging information storage means for storing the charging information and reproducing the signal recorded in the storage / reproducing means, predetermined charging information is stored in the charging information storage means, and the stored charging information is stored in the charging information storage means. The charging system according to claim 16, wherein charging is performed based on the original.   A medium in which scrambled information and control information for controlling scramble are multiplexed and stored.

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