JP2008227630A - Broadcast reception system and television receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a broadcast reception system and a television receiver, enabling a user to view while conveniently switching channels on the television receiver even for digital broadcast of channels to be received with another reception device connected to the television receiver. <P>SOLUTION: In the digital broadcast reception system in which the reception device 2 such as a video recorder is connected to the television receiver 1, the television receiver 1 records the information indicating channels for which view restriction of the digital broadcast is released by each device, and when a channel releasing the view restriction with the television receiver 1 is selected in designating a channel, the television receiver 1 receives the digital broadcast of that channel, and when a channel releasing the view restriction with the receiver 2 is selected, the television receiver 1 is automatically brought into an external input state, and causes the receiver 2 to select that channel. Thus, a viewer conveniently views the digital broadcast with a specific channel only by executing an operation for designating the specific channel. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a broadcast receiving system and a receiver in which another receiver such as a recording device is connected to a receiver including a tuner.

  At present, digital broadcasting, such as satellite digital broadcasting, terrestrial digital broadcasting, or cable digital broadcasting, that transmits television signals in a digital modulation system is widespread as television broadcasting. In Japanese digital broadcasting, a conditional access system called CAS (Conditional Access System) is adopted, and viewing restrictions are applied to prevent viewing by non-contractors by encryption or the like. A receiving device such as a receiver or a tuner device compatible with digital broadcasting has a function corresponding to CAS, and a dedicated IC card in which information necessary for releasing the viewing restriction applied to the digital broadcasting is recorded. By attaching (hereinafter referred to as a CAS card), it becomes possible to release the viewing restrictions on digital broadcasting.

  The CAS card stores information necessary for releasing viewing restrictions, such as a decryption key, for each channel, and a CAS card corresponding to a specific channel is required for the viewer to view a digital broadcast of a specific channel. Necessary. For example, in the case of a pay broadcast, information necessary for canceling the pay broadcast viewing restriction is recorded on the CAS card in accordance with the pay broadcast viewing contract signed by the viewer, and the viewer installs the CAS card. The pay broadcast can be viewed only by the received receiver. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a receiving apparatus capable of receiving a digital broadcast. The receiving apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 can be equipped with a plurality of CAS cards, and by adding a CAS card corresponding to a specific channel, the receiver can also perform digital broadcasting of a specific channel in addition to a normal channel. Viewers can view it.

Recording apparatuses capable of recording digital broadcasts are also widespread, and such recording apparatuses can also record digital broadcasts by attaching a CAS card. HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) is known as an interface for connecting such a recording apparatus and a receiver. HDMI is a digital interface, and the recording apparatus can transmit digital video data to the receiver through HDMI. The HDMI also has a device control function called CEC (Consumer Electronics Control), and the receiver can control the operation of the recording apparatus such as power on / off using the CEC.
JP 2005-167993 A

  As described above, in order for the receiving device to receive digital broadcasting, a CAS card needs to be installed, and a receiving device that does not have a CAS card corresponding to a specific channel receives the digital broadcast of the specific channel. I can't do it. Since the information is individually recorded in the CAS card, in the broadcast receiving system including the receiver and the recording device, the CAS card attached to the channel and the recording device corresponding to the CAS card attached to the receiver is supported. May be different from the corresponding channel.

  For example, even if a viewer has subscribed to view a pay broadcast program, if the CAS card corresponding to the pay broadcast channel is installed in the recording apparatus, the pay broadcast is recorded by the recording apparatus. However, viewers cannot watch pay broadcasts on the receiver. In this case, in order to view the pay broadcast on the receiver, the viewer needs to manually replace the CAS card between the recording device and the receiver. As another method, the viewer needs to manually set the receiver to the external input state so that the broadcast received by the recording device connected to the receiver can be viewed on the receiver. As described above, depending on the channel, there is a problem that it takes much time to view the digital broadcast on the receiver. In addition, there is a problem that the viewer needs to remember which channel can be viewed using a CAS card attached to which device. Patent Document 1 does not disclose any technique for solving this problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to receive digital broadcasting of a channel that can be received only by another receiving device connected to the receiver, It is an object of the present invention to provide a broadcast receiving system and a receiver that can be easily viewed.

  The broadcast receiving system according to the present invention includes a receiver and a receiving device each capable of receiving a digital broadcast, and the receiver and the receiving device receive information for releasing the viewing restriction applied to the digital broadcast. In a broadcast receiving system in which recording media recorded with respect to a predetermined channel are respectively mounted, the receiver can use the information recorded in the mounted recording medium to cancel viewing restrictions, and Recording means for recording information indicating a channel by which the receiving device can release the viewing restriction using information recorded on the recording medium attached to the receiving device, and an instruction for designating a channel of digital broadcasting to be received The receiving unit that receives and the channel specified by the instruction received by the receiving unit are released from viewing restrictions on the receiver or the receiving device. Means for determining whether the channel is a channel that can be used based on the information recorded by the recording unit, and when the channel specified by the instruction is a channel from which viewing restrictions can be removed by the receiver, Means for receiving a digital broadcast on the specified channel, and an instruction to receive the digital broadcast on the channel specified in the instruction when the channel specified in the instruction is a channel that can release the viewing restriction by the receiving device. Means for transmitting to the receiving device, the receiving device recorded in the recording medium attached to the means for receiving digital broadcasting on the channel according to the instructions received from the receiver. Means for releasing the viewing restriction of the received digital broadcast using the information, and the data of the digital broadcast for which the viewing restriction is removed And means for transmitting to said receiver, said receiver is further characterized in that it comprises means for outputting an image based on the data received from the receiving device.

  In the broadcast receiving system according to the present invention, the receiver further receives a digital broadcast on a channel designated by an instruction received by the receiving unit, and uses information recorded on the attached recording medium. Means for trying to remove the viewing restriction of the received digital broadcast, and when the means can remove the restriction on viewing of the digital broadcast, the information that sets the channel as a channel on which the viewing restriction can be removed by the receiver Means for recording in the recording means, and means for transmitting to the receiving device an instruction to release the digital broadcast viewing restriction on the channel designated by the instruction when the digital broadcast viewing restriction cannot be removed, The receiving device is further mounted to receive a digital broadcast on the channel according to the instruction received from the receiver. Means for using the information recorded on the recording medium to try to remove the viewing restriction of the received digital broadcast, and means for transmitting information indicating the result of the trial by the means to the receiver, Further, when the trial result indicated by the information received from the receiving device is a result of releasing the viewing restriction of the digital broadcast, the channel information is set as a channel from which the viewing restriction can be removed by the receiving device. The recording means is characterized by comprising means for recording.

  In the broadcast receiving system according to the present invention, the receiver further displays an electronic program guide, and in association with the display of the channel in the electronic program guide, in the channel indicated by the information recorded by the recording means. It is characterized by comprising means for displaying information indicating a device capable of releasing the digital broadcast viewing restriction.

  The broadcast receiving system according to the present invention includes a receiver and a receiving device each capable of receiving a digital broadcast, and the receiver and the receiving device receive information for releasing the viewing restriction applied to the digital broadcast. In a broadcast receiving system in which recording media recorded with respect to a predetermined channel are respectively mounted, the receiver is recorded on the recording medium that is installed and receiving means for receiving an instruction for designating a channel of digital broadcasting. Using the received information, the means for trying to remove the viewing restriction of the digital broadcast on the channel specified by the instruction accepted by the accepting means, and the channel when the viewing restriction of the digital broadcast cannot be removed by the means Means for transmitting an instruction to receive a digital broadcast at the receiver to the receiver, the receiver receiving from the receiver Means for receiving a digital broadcast on the channel in accordance with the instruction, means for trying to remove the viewing restriction of the received digital broadcast using information recorded on the recording medium mounted thereon, the means Means for transmitting the digital broadcast data for which the viewing restriction has been removed to the receiver when the viewing restriction for the digital broadcast can be removed by the receiver, and the receiver further receives the data received from the receiving device And a means for outputting a video based on the above.

  The broadcast receiving system according to the present invention is characterized in that the receiver and the receiving device are connected to each other by HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface).

  The receiver according to the present invention is capable of receiving a digital broadcast, and in a receiver to which a recording medium in which information for releasing viewing restrictions applied to the digital broadcast is recorded for a predetermined channel is mounted. Recording means for recording information indicating a channel that can be used to release the viewing restriction using information recorded on the recording medium that is mounted, and a channel that can be used to release the viewing restriction by a predetermined external receiving device, and digital to be received A receiving unit that receives an instruction to specify a broadcast channel, and a recording unit that records whether the channel specified by the instruction received by the receiving unit is a channel for which viewing restriction can be removed by itself or a predetermined external receiving device. The means for judging based on the information obtained and the channel specified by the instruction are channels for which viewing restriction can be lifted by itself. The channel specified by the instruction when the channel specified by the instruction and the channel specified by the instruction are channels that can release the viewing restriction by a predetermined external receiving device. Means for transmitting an instruction to receive the digital broadcast to the receiver.

  In the present invention, in a digital broadcast broadcast receiving system in which a receiver is connected to a receiver, the receiver records information indicating channels that can be used to release viewing restrictions in each device, and the channel is designated by the viewer. The receiver or the receiving device determines whether the channel can be used to remove the digital broadcast viewing restriction. If the receiver can remove the viewing restriction, the digital broadcast of that channel is received and received. In the case of a channel for which the viewing restriction can be canceled by the device, the channel automatically enters an external input state, and the receiving device selects the channel. As a result, when a viewer wants to watch a digital broadcast of a specific channel, even if the CAS card corresponding to the specific channel is installed in the receiving device instead of the receiver, Viewing is possible.

  In the present invention, it is possible to attempt to release the digital broadcast viewing restriction on the channel specified by the viewer on the receiver or the receiving device, and to release the viewing restriction on either the receiver or the receiving device. If it is possible, the receiver records information that makes the designated channel a channel that allows the viewing restriction to be removed by a device that can remove the viewing restriction. Thereby, even if it is unclear whether the designated channel is a channel for which viewing restriction can be lifted or not, it is possible to specify which device can remove viewing restriction. .

  In the present invention, the receiver displays in the electronic program guide information indicating devices that can release the digital broadcast viewing restriction on each channel in the receiver and the receiving device in association with each channel.

  In the present invention, every time a channel is designated by the viewer, an attempt is made to remove the viewing restriction of the digital broadcast on the designated channel, the digital broadcasting is received by the device that can remove the viewing restriction, and the viewing is performed. Perform processing that enables.

  In the present invention, the receiver and the receiving device are connected using HDMI, and the video data and the control signal from which the viewing restriction on the digital broadcast is removed are transmitted and received.

  In the present invention, if a CAS card corresponding to a specific channel is attached to either the receiver or the receiver, the viewer manually replaces the CAS card or puts the receiver into an external input state. It is possible to view digital broadcasts on a specific channel simply by performing an operation for designating a specific channel without taking the trouble of manually setting it. In addition, the viewer can easily designate the channel and view the digital broadcast without being aware of the correspondence between the channel and the CAS card.

  Also, in the present invention, even when information relating to a channel is not set or information is insufficient, it is possible to automatically view a specific channel, and the viewer designates the specific channel. It is possible to view a digital broadcast on a specific channel simply by performing an operation. In addition, since the receiver automatically records information relating to the channel, it is possible to save the viewer from having to manually set the information.

  Further, in the present invention, it is clearly shown that each channel can be viewed by displaying a device capable of releasing the digital broadcast viewing restriction on each channel on the electronic program guide.

  In the present invention, it is possible to transmit and receive video data for which viewing restrictions on digital broadcasting are removed, and it is possible to control the operation of the receiving apparatus uniformly by the receiver. The present invention has an excellent effect that necessary processing is executed only by operating the receiver, and the viewer can easily watch the digital broadcast.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof.
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the appearance of a broadcast receiving system of the present invention. The broadcast receiving system of the present invention includes the receiver 1 of the present invention capable of receiving a digital broadcast and a receiving device 2 connected to the receiver 1. The receiving device 2 is a recording device that can receive and record digital broadcasts independently of the receiver 1. The receiver 1 is configured to receive an instruction from the viewer using a remote controller (remote controller) 3 operated by the viewer. Note that the receiving device in the present invention is not limited to a recording device, and may be an external tuner device, a set top box, or the like.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the receiver 1 of the present invention that constitutes a part of the broadcast receiving system of the present invention. The receiver 1 according to the present invention includes a calculation unit that performs a calculation, a RAM that stores information associated with the calculation, a ROM that stores a program necessary for the calculation, and performs a calculation process necessary for the receiver 1. The control processing part 11 which controls operation | movement of each part is provided. The control processing unit 11 is connected to a remote control receiving unit (accepting means) 12 for receiving a signal transmitted from the remote control 3 operated by the viewer. The control processing unit 11 performs code processing on the signal received by the remote control receiving unit 12 and receives various instructions from the viewer. The control processing unit 11 is connected to a display unit 131 such as a liquid crystal display panel or a plasma display panel that displays an image, and an audio output unit 132 such as a speaker that outputs audio or an audio output terminal.

  The control processing unit 11 includes a CAS card mounting unit 14 in which a CAS card (recording medium) C1 in which information for releasing viewing restrictions on digital broadcasting is recorded, and a tuner 15 that receives the digital broadcasting. It is connected. The control processing unit 11 performs processing for selecting a digital broadcast received by the tuner 15. The tuner 15 is connected to an antenna line (not shown), receives a broadcast signal of digital broadcast on the selected channel, and inputs a broadcast stream obtained by demodulating the received broadcast signal to the control processing unit 11. The control processing unit 11 executes processing of a broadcast stream from the tuner 15 while referring to information recorded by the CAS card C1 mounted on the CAS card mounting unit 14. At this time, if the CAS card C1 corresponds to the selected channel, the control processing unit 11 uses the information recorded by the CAS card C1 to release the viewing restriction such as encryption applied to the broadcast stream. Perform the process. For example, the control processing unit 11 performs a process of decrypting the encrypted broadcast stream using the decryption key recorded by the CAS card C1. The control processing unit 11 reproduces the video data and the audio data from the broadcast stream by removing the viewing restriction applied to the broadcast stream, and displays the video on the display unit 131 based on the reproduced video data. Based on the audio data, the audio output unit 132 performs a process of outputting audio. Further, when the CAS card C1 does not correspond to the selected channel, the control processing unit 11 cannot release the viewing restriction applied to the broadcast stream.

  The tuner 15 receives a broadcast signal of an electronic program guide (EPG), demodulates it into EPG data representing the contents of the EPG, and inputs the EPG data to the control processing unit 11. The control processing unit 11 displays the EPG on the display unit 131 based on the EPG data.

  The control processing unit 11 is connected to an interface unit 172 configured in accordance with the HDMI standard. The control processing unit 11 executes a process of transmitting / receiving information to / from an external device connected to the interface unit 172 according to the HDMI standard. The control processing unit 11 and the interface unit 172 are connected to a control signal processing unit 171 that processes a CEC control signal included in the HDMI signal. The control processing unit 11 executes a logical operation for controlling the operation of the external device using the CEC, and sends a specific control signal for controlling the external device to the control signal processing unit 171 via the interface unit 172. To send to an external device. In the broadcast receiving system of the present invention, the receiving device 2 is connected to the interface unit 172 via a signal line. The control processing unit 11 transmits / receives various kinds of information according to the HDMI standard including video data to / from the receiving device 2 via the interface unit 172, and transmits a CEC control signal, thereby transmitting the CEC control signal. Control the behavior. Note that the interface unit 172 normally has a plurality of terminals, and a plurality of external devices can be connected thereto.

  Further, a memory (recording unit) 16 is connected to the control processing unit 11. The memory 16 records channel information indicating which of the receiver 1 and the receiver 2 is compatible with digital broadcasting on each channel. The components in the receiver 1 are not limited to those provided individually in the receiver 1, but are provided after a plurality of components are integrated into one component. It may be a thing.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the receiving device 2 constituting a part of the broadcast receiving system of the present invention. The reception device 2 includes a calculation unit that performs calculation, a RAM that stores information associated with the calculation, a ROM that stores a program necessary for the calculation, and the like. A control processing unit 21 for controlling the operation is provided. The control processing unit 21 is connected to an input unit 22 for receiving instructions from the viewer, such as a receiving unit for receiving a signal from a remote controller operated by the viewer or an operation unit for direct operation by the viewer. Yes. The control processing unit 21 receives various instructions from the viewer using the input unit 22. The control processing unit 21 is connected to an HD unit 231 that is a hard disk drive storing a hard disk for recording data, and a drive unit 232 that reads and writes data from and on a portable recording medium such as an optical disk. Yes.

  The control processing unit 21 is connected to a CAS card mounting unit 24 in which the CAS card C2 is mounted and a tuner 25 that receives digital broadcasting. The control processing unit 21 performs a process of selecting a digital broadcast received by the tuner 25. The tuner 25 receives a digital broadcast broadcast signal on the selected channel and controls a broadcast stream obtained by demodulating the received broadcast signal. Input to the processing unit 21. The control processing unit 21 performs processing of the broadcast stream from the tuner 25 while referring to information recorded by the CAS card C2 mounted on the CAS card mounting unit 24. At this time, if the CAS card C2 corresponds to the selected channel, the control processing unit 21 uses the information recorded by the CAS card C2 to perform processing for releasing the viewing restriction applied to the broadcast stream. . The control processing unit 21 releases video data and audio data from the broadcast stream by releasing the viewing restriction applied to the broadcast stream, and causes the HD unit 231 or the drive unit 232 to record the reproduced video data and audio data. .

  An interface unit 272 configured according to the HDMI standard is connected to the control processing unit 21, and a control signal processing unit 271 that processes a CEC control signal is connected to the control processing unit 21 and the interface unit 272. ing. In the broadcast receiving system of the present invention, the receiver 1 is connected to the interface unit 272 via a signal line. The control processing unit 21 transmits / receives various types of information including video data to / from the receiver 1 via the interface unit 272, receives a CEC control signal, and performs an operation according to the received control signal. . For example, the control processing unit 21 receives the video data and audio data from which the viewing restriction on the broadcast stream from the tuner 25 is removed, or the video data and audio data read by the HD unit 231 or the drive unit 232 via the interface unit 272. It can be transmitted to the receiver 1. Further, for example, the control processing unit 21 controls the power on / off of the receiving device 2 in accordance with a control signal from the receiver 1.

  FIG. 1 shows a state where one receiver 2 is connected to the receiver 1, but a plurality of receivers including the receiver 2 are connected to the receiver 1 via the interface unit 172. May be. When a plurality of receiving devices are connected, the receiver 1 distinguishes each receiving device based on which of the plurality of terminals of the interface unit 172 is connected. When a plurality of receiving devices are connected to the receiver 1, the plurality of receiving devices do not have to be recording devices, and any of the receiving devices may be a tuner device or a set top box.

  FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing the contents of the channel information recorded by the memory 16. In the channel information, each channel of the digital broadcast, the number of the remote control key, and a corresponding device that is a device that can release the restriction on viewing of the digital broadcast on that channel are associated with each other. As information for specifying a digital broadcast channel, a broadcast station name, a channel number, and a broadcast wave frequency are included in the channel number. Among the information indicating the compatible devices, the own device indicates the receiver 1 itself, and HDMI 1 indicates a receiving device connected to the first HDMI terminal of the interface unit 172 such as the receiving device 2. HDMI2 indicates a receiving device connected to the second HDMI terminal of the interface unit 172. For example, the receiver 1 corresponds to the channel of the △ broadcast assigned to the remote control key No. 5, and the first HDMI terminal to the channel of the television Δ × assigned to the remote control key No. 6 It is shown that the receiving device connected to is compatible.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a setting screen for setting the contents of channel information. The control processor 11 of the receiver 1 receives a signal from the remote controller 3 operated by the viewer by the remote controller receiver 12 to accept a channel information setting instruction, and displays a setting screen as shown in FIG. To display. In the setting screen, an input frame for inputting a channel and a corresponding device is displayed corresponding to the number of the remote control key. On the setting screen, the viewer can move the cursor by operating the remote controller 3, and place the cursor on one of the input frames to specify a specific item. For example, when the cursor is placed on a channel input frame, options of a plurality of channels such as XX broadcast, XX broadcast,... Are displayed, and a channel is input by designating one of the channels. It is possible to input in the same way for compatible devices. The control processing unit 11 generates channel information that associates the remote control key number, the channel, and the corresponding device input on the setting screen with each other, and causes the memory 16 to record the channel information. The channel may be specified not by the broadcast station name but by the channel number or frequency. Thereby, channel information in which the channel and the corresponding device are associated is recorded in the memory 16.

  Next, the operation of the broadcast receiving system of the present invention will be described. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are flowcharts showing a procedure of processing in which the broadcast receiving system of the present invention performs channel selection. While the receiver 1 is operating, the control processing unit 11 waits for reception of an instruction to display an EPG for channel selection by the viewer performing a predetermined operation on the remote controller 3 (S101). When an EPG display instruction is received by receiving a signal from the remote controller 3 on which the viewer has performed a predetermined operation by the remote controller receiver 12 (S101: YES), the control processor 11 receives the tuner 15 Then, the display of each channel in the EPG represented by the demodulated EPG data is associated with the display indicating the corresponding device associated with the channel in the channel information recorded in the memory 16, and the EPG is displayed on the display unit 131. (S102).

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an EPG display screen displayed by the receiver 1. On the EPG display screen, a program table representing programs broadcast at each time is displayed in association with each channel. In the EPG according to the present invention, a corresponding device corresponding to a channel is displayed in association with each channel by displaying characters such as “TV” or “HDMI1 connection”. Among these, “TV” indicates the receiver 1 itself, and “HDMI1 connection” indicates a receiving apparatus connected to the first HDMI terminal. Since the corresponding device corresponding to each channel is included and displayed in the EPG, the viewer can check the device corresponding to each channel by displaying the EPG on the receiver 1.

  Next, the control processing unit 11 instructs the remote controller receiving unit 12 to perform a predetermined operation on the remote control receiving unit 12 by visually confirming the EPG, and designate any channel on the EPG to designate a channel to be received. (S103). If no instruction for specifying a channel is received (S103: NO), the control processing unit 11 continues to receive an instruction for specifying a channel. If no EPG display instruction is accepted in step S101 (S101: NO), the control processing unit 11 instructs the viewer to specify a channel to be received by performing a predetermined operation on the remote control receiving unit 12. (S104). At this time, the viewer presses the remote control key corresponding to the channel, operates the channel up / down button of the remote control 3, or specifies the channel number by operating the numeric input buttons of the remote control 3, etc. Specify the channel. When using the remote control key, the channel associated with the number of the remote control key pressed by the viewer in the channel information is designated.

  When a signal from the remote controller 3 is received by the remote control receiver 12, an instruction to specify a channel is received in step S103 (S103: YES), or an instruction to specify a channel is received in step S104 (S104: YES), the control processing unit 11 determines whether or not the information indicating the channel specified by the received instruction is included in the channel information recorded in the memory 16 (S105). When the information indicating the designated channel is included in the channel information (S105: YES), the control processing unit 11 is a device that can release the restriction on viewing of the digital broadcast on the designated channel with the channel information. It is determined whether the receiver 1 is compatible as a compatible device (S106). If the receiver 1 corresponds to the designated channel (S106: YES), the control processing unit 11 selects the designated channel as a digital broadcast channel to be received by the tuner 15, and selects the channel. The tuner 15 starts to receive digital broadcast on the selected channel (S107), and the channel selection process ends.

  After the tuner 15 starts receiving the digital broadcast, the tuner 15 receives the broadcast signal of the digital broadcast on the selected channel, and inputs the broadcast stream obtained by demodulating the received broadcast signal to the control processing unit 11. The control processing unit 11 releases the viewing restriction applied to the broadcast stream based on information recorded by the CAS card C1 attached to the CAS card attachment unit 14, and reproduces video data and audio data from the broadcast stream. The control processing unit 11 further performs a process of causing the display unit 131 to display a video based on the reproduced video data and causing the audio output unit 132 to output a sound based on the reproduced audio data. When further changing the channel, the control processing unit 11 repeats the channel selection process from step S101.

  In step S106, when the receiving device 2 connected to the interface unit 172 corresponds to the designated channel (S106: NO), the control processing unit 11 selects the receiving device corresponding to the designated channel. (S108). Next, the control processing unit 11 determines whether or not the selected receiving device 2 has already been activated (S109). At this time, the control processing unit 11 transmits a predetermined signal to the receiving device 2 via the interface unit 172, or stores in advance information indicating whether the receiving device 2 is activated. The determination is performed by a method such as reading out.

  When the receiving device 2 corresponding to the designated channel has not been activated yet (S109: NO), the control processing unit 11 instructs the receiving device 2 to activate via the interface unit 172 to the control signal processing unit 171. Transmit (S110). The receiving device 2 receives the activation instruction at the interface unit 272 (S111), and the control processing unit 21 executes processing for activating the receiving device 2 according to the received activation instruction (S112). Next, the control processing unit 21 transmits an activation completion notification indicating that the activation of the receiving device 2 is completed from the interface unit 272 to the receiver 1 (S113). The receiver 1 receives the activation completion notification from the receiving device 2 through the interface unit 172 (S114).

  If the receiving apparatus 2 has already been activated in step S109 (S109: YES), or if step S114 has been completed, the control processing unit 11 issues a channel selection instruction that instructs to select the designated channel. Then, the data is transmitted from the interface unit 172 to the receiving device 2 (S115). At this time, the control processing unit 11 sets the receiver 1 to an external input state in which video data and audio data are input from the receiving device 2 connected to the interface unit 172. The receiving device 2 receives the channel selection instruction at the interface unit 272 (S116), and the control processing unit 21 selects a designated channel as a digital broadcast channel to be received by the tuner 25 and selects the selected channel. Thus, the tuner 25 starts to receive digital broadcasting (S117), and the channel selection process ends.

  After the tuner 25 starts receiving the digital broadcast, the tuner 25 receives the digital broadcast broadcast signal on the selected channel, and inputs the broadcast stream obtained by demodulating the received broadcast signal to the control processing unit 21. Based on the information recorded by the CAS card C2 attached to the CAS card attachment unit 24, the control processing unit 21 releases the viewing restriction applied to the broadcast stream and reproduces video data and audio data from the broadcast stream. Further, the control processing unit 21 transmits the reproduced video data and audio data from the interface unit 272 to the receiver 1. The receiver 1 receives the video data and the audio data from the receiving device 2 by the interface unit 172, and the control processing unit 11 displays the video on the display unit 131 based on the received video data, and converts the received audio data into the received audio data. Based on this, the voice output unit 132 performs a process of outputting voice. When further changing the channel, the control processing unit 11 repeats the channel selection process from step S101.

  As described above, the receiver 1 of the present invention, when switching the channel of the digital broadcast that the viewer is viewing, selects the channel if the receiver 1 can release the viewing restriction, In the case of a channel in which the viewing restriction cannot be lifted by the receiver 1 and the viewing restriction can be lifted by the receiving device 2, an external input state is automatically entered, and the receiving device 2 selects the channel. The receiver 1 determines a channel based on channel information that associates a channel with a corresponding device that can release the restriction on viewing of digital broadcasting on the channel. This channel information is manually set by the operation of the viewer.

  Therefore, when a viewer wants to watch a digital broadcast of a specific channel, even if the CAS card corresponding to the specific channel is attached to the receiving device 2 instead of the receiver 1, the CAS card is manually operated. Thus, it is possible to automatically view a specific channel without requiring the viewer to change the position of the receiver 1 or manually set the receiver 1 to an external input state. For example, even if a CAS card corresponding to a pay broadcast channel is attached to the receiving device 2, the pay broadcast channel can be automatically viewed by the viewer specifying the pay broadcast channel. . That is, in the present invention, if a CAS card corresponding to a specific channel is attached to either the receiver 1 or the receiving device 2, the viewer can perform the operation on the specific channel only by specifying the specific channel. Digital broadcasting can be viewed. In addition, since the receiver 1 determines the corresponding device for each channel based on the channel information recorded in the memory 16, the viewer designates the channel without being aware of the correspondence between the channel and the CAS card or the corresponding device. can do. Further, even when the channel information is not set or the channel information is insufficient, the broadcast receiving system of the present invention performs channel selection by the following processing.

  In step S105, when the information indicating the channel specified by the received instruction is not included in the channel information recorded in the memory 16 (S105: NO), the control processing unit 11 uses the specified channel for the tuner 15 The digital broadcast is received, and based on the information recorded by the CAS card C1 attached to the CAS card attachment unit 14, the viewing restriction applied to the broadcast stream demodulated by the tuner 15 from the broadcast signal is tried (S201). ). The control processing unit 11 determines whether or not the viewing restriction of the digital broadcast on the designated channel can be removed from the trial result of the viewing restriction removal (S202). If the viewing restriction can be removed (S202: YES), the control processing unit 11 associates the receiver 1 with the channel as a compatible device that can remove the viewing restriction of the digital broadcast on the designated channel. The channel information recorded in the memory 16 is corrected so as to add information (S203). Next, the control processing unit 11 selects a designated channel as a digital broadcast channel to be received by the tuner 15, and causes the tuner 15 to start receiving the digital broadcast using the selected channel (S204). End the station processing. The tuner 15 receives the broadcast signal of the digital broadcast on the selected channel, and the control processing unit 11 releases the viewing restriction applied to the broadcast stream based on the information recorded by the CAS card C1, and the display unit A process of causing the audio output unit 132 to output an image and outputting an audio to the audio output unit 132 is performed.

  When it is impossible to release the viewing restriction in step S202 (S202: NO), the control processing unit 11 selects one receiving device 2 from the receiving devices connected to the interface unit 172. (S205). Next, the control processing unit 11 determines whether or not the selected receiving device 2 has already been activated (S206). If the receiving device 2 has not been activated yet (S206: NO), the control processing unit 11 causes the control signal processing unit 171 to transmit an activation instruction to the receiving device 2 via the interface unit 172 (S207). The receiving device 2 receives the activation instruction at the interface unit 272 (S208), and the control processing unit 21 executes processing for activating the receiving device 2 according to the received activation instruction (S209). Next, the control processing unit 21 transmits an activation completion notification indicating that the activation of the receiving device 2 is completed from the interface unit 272 to the receiver 1 (S210). The receiver 1 receives the activation completion notification from the receiving device 2 by the interface unit 172 (S211).

  If the selected receiving apparatus 2 has already been activated in step S206 (S206: YES), or if step S211 has ended, the control processing unit 11 cancels the restriction on viewing of the digital broadcast on the designated channel. A trial instruction is transmitted from the interface unit 172 to the receiving device 2 (S212). The receiving device 2 receives the trial instruction at the interface unit 272 (S213), and the control processing unit 21 causes the tuner 25 to receive the digital broadcast on the designated channel, and the CAS card C2 mounted on the CAS card mounting unit 24. Is attempted to release the viewing restriction applied to the broadcast stream demodulated by the tuner 25 from the broadcast signal (S214). Next, the control processing unit 21 transmits the result of trial of releasing the viewing restriction from the interface unit 272 to the receiver 1 (S215).

  The receiver 1 receives the trial result from the receiving device 2 by the interface unit 172 (S216), and the control processing unit 11 receives the viewing restriction of the digital broadcast on the designated channel from the trial result of the viewing restriction release. It is determined whether or not the device 2 can be released (S217). When it is possible to release the viewing restriction by the receiving device 2 (S217: YES), the control processing unit 11 sets the receiving device 2 as a corresponding device that can remove the viewing restriction of the digital broadcast on the designated channel. The channel information recorded in the memory 16 is corrected so as to add information associated with the channel (S218). The control processing unit 11 transmits a channel selection instruction for instructing channel selection to the receiving device 2 from the interface unit 172 (S219).

  The receiving device 2 receives a channel selection instruction at the interface unit 272 (S220), and the control processing unit 21 selects a designated channel as a digital broadcast channel to be received by the tuner 25 and selects the selected channel. Thus, the tuner 25 starts to receive digital broadcasting (S221), and the channel selection process ends. The tuner 25 receives the broadcast signal of the digital broadcast on the selected channel, and the control processing unit 21 releases the viewing restriction applied to the broadcast stream based on the information recorded by the CAS card C2, and the broadcast stream The video data and audio data reproduced from is transmitted from the interface unit 272 to the receiver 1. The control processing unit 11 performs processing for displaying video on the display unit 131 based on the video data received from the receiving device 2 and outputting audio to the audio output unit 132 based on the received audio data.

  In step S217, when it is impossible to release the viewing restriction by the receiving device 2 (S217: NO), the control processing unit 11 is not selected among the receiving devices connected to the interface unit 172. It is determined whether there is still a receiving device (S222). If there is still an unselected receiving device (S222: YES), the process returns to step S205 to select one receiving device from among the unselected receiving devices. If there is no unselected receiving device in step S222 (S222: NO), the control processing unit 11 outputs an error by displaying an error message such as “cannot view the specified channel” on the display unit 131. (S223), and the tuning process is terminated.

  As described above, in the present invention, when the corresponding device for the designated channel is unknown, the receiver 1 or the receiver 2 tries to release the viewing restriction of the digital broadcast on the channel, and the viewing restriction is released. The receiver 1 records the channel information with the device that has been able to do as the corresponding device for the designated channel. Next, when the same channel is designated, the receiver 1 can determine the corresponding device based on the channel information. By this processing, even when the channel information is not set or the channel information is insufficient, the broadcast receiving system of the present invention can automatically view the specific channel, and the viewer can select the specific channel. It is possible to view a digital broadcast on a specific channel simply by performing an operation for designating. Further, in the present invention, channel information is automatically corrected by trying to release the viewing restriction on the designated channel, so that it is possible to save the viewer from manually setting the channel information.

  In the present invention, since the receiver 1 and the receiving device 2 are connected using HDMI, it is possible to transmit and receive video data for which viewing restrictions on digital broadcasting are removed, and the operation of the receiving device 2 can be performed. It is possible to control the receiver 1 uniformly. Therefore, the viewer can perform necessary processing only by operating the receiver 1 using the remote controller 3, and the viewer can easily watch the digital broadcast. The interface for connecting the receiver 1 and the receiving device 2 is not limited to HDMI, and the present invention can be realized as long as it is a bidirectional communication interface.

  In the present embodiment, the receiver 1 of the present invention has shown a form in which processing is performed based on channel information recorded in the memory 16, but may be in a form in which processing is performed without using channel information. . In the case of this embodiment, after the processing of steps S101 to S104 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is executed, the processing of steps S201 to S221 shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 8 and 9 is executed. At this time, the processes of steps S203 and S218 are not executed. In other words, in this mode, every time a channel is designated, an attempt is made to remove the viewing restriction of the digital broadcasting on the designated channel, and the digital broadcasting can be received and viewed by a device that can remove the viewing restriction. The process is automatically performed. Also in this embodiment, if a CAS card corresponding to a specific channel is attached to either the receiver 1 or the receiver 2, the viewer can perform digital broadcasting on the specific channel only by performing an operation for specifying the specific channel. Can be viewed.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows the external appearance of the broadcast receiving system of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the receiver of this invention which comprises a part of broadcast reception system of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the receiver which comprises a part of broadcast receiving system of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the content of the channel information which a memory records. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a setting screen for setting the content of channel information. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process in which the broadcast receiving system of this invention selects a channel. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process in which the broadcast receiving system of this invention selects a channel. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process in which the broadcast receiving system of this invention selects a channel. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process in which the broadcast receiving system of this invention selects a channel. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a display screen of EPG which a receiver displays.

Explanation of symbols

1 receiver 12 remote control receiver (accepting means)
14 CAS card mounting part 15 Tuner 16 Memory (recording means)
172 Interface unit 2 Receiving device 24 CAS card mounting unit 25 Tuner 3 Remote controller (remote controller)
C1, C2 CAS card (recording medium)

Claims (6)

Each includes a receiver and a receiver capable of receiving digital broadcasts,
In the broadcast receiving system in which the receiver and the receiving device are each mounted with a recording medium in which information for canceling the viewing restriction applied to the digital broadcast is recorded for a predetermined channel,
The receiver is
The channel that can release the viewing restriction using the information recorded on the attached recording medium, and the receiving device removes the viewing restriction using the information recorded on the recording medium attached to the receiving device. Recording means for recording information indicating possible channels;
Accepting means for accepting an instruction for designating a digital broadcast channel to be received;
Means for determining whether the channel designated by the instruction accepted by the accepting means is a channel whose viewing restriction can be removed by the receiver or the receiving device, based on the information recorded by the recording means;
Means for receiving a digital broadcast on the channel designated by the instruction when the channel designated by the instruction is a channel capable of releasing the viewing restriction by the receiver;
Means for transmitting, to the receiving device, an instruction to receive a digital broadcast on the channel designated by the instruction when the channel designated by the instruction is a channel that can release the viewing restriction by the receiving device;
The receiving device is:
Means for receiving a digital broadcast on the channel according to the instructions received from the receiver;
Means for canceling the viewing restriction of the received digital broadcast using the information recorded on the recording medium that is mounted;
Means for transmitting the digital broadcast data for which viewing restrictions have been released to the receiver,
The receiver further comprises:
A broadcast receiving system comprising means for outputting a video based on the data received from the receiving device. The receiver further comprises:
Means for receiving a digital broadcast on a channel designated by an instruction received by the accepting means, and using information recorded on the attached recording medium, and attempting to remove the viewing restriction of the received digital broadcast; ,
Means for causing the recording means to record information that sets the channel as a channel from which the viewing restriction can be removed by the receiver, when the means can remove the viewing restriction of the digital broadcast;
Means for transmitting an instruction to the digital broadcast viewing restriction release trial to the receiving device when the digital broadcast viewing restriction cannot be removed,
The receiving device further includes:
Means for receiving a digital broadcast on the channel in accordance with the instruction received from the receiver and attempting to remove the viewing restriction of the received digital broadcast using information recorded on the recording medium mounted; ,
Means for transmitting information indicating a trial result by the means to the receiver,
The receiver further comprises:
When the trial result indicated by the information received from the receiving device is a result of releasing the viewing restriction of the digital broadcast, information for setting the channel as a channel from which the viewing restriction can be removed by the receiving device is stored in the recording unit. The broadcast receiving system according to claim 1, further comprising a recording unit. The receiver further comprises:
Means for displaying an electronic program guide and displaying information indicating a device capable of releasing the restriction on viewing of digital broadcasting on the channel indicated by the information recorded by the recording means in association with the display of the channel in the electronic program guide The broadcast receiving system according to claim 1, further comprising: Each includes a receiver and a receiver capable of receiving digital broadcasts,
In the broadcast receiving system in which the receiver and the receiving device are each mounted with a recording medium in which information for releasing the viewing restriction applied to the digital broadcast is recorded for a predetermined channel,
The receiver is
Accepting means for accepting an instruction for designating a digital broadcast channel;
Means for trying to remove the restriction on viewing of the digital broadcast on the channel specified by the instruction received by the reception means, using the information recorded on the recording medium mounted;
Means for transmitting an instruction to receive the digital broadcast on the channel to the receiving device when the digital broadcast viewing restriction cannot be removed by the means;
The receiving device is:
Means for receiving a digital broadcast on the channel according to the instructions received from the receiver;
Means for trying to remove the viewing restriction of the received digital broadcast using the information recorded in the recording medium installed;
Means for transmitting the digital broadcast data to which the viewing restriction has been removed to the receiver, when the digital broadcasting viewing restriction can be removed by the means;
The receiver further comprises:
A broadcast receiving system comprising means for outputting a video based on the data received from the receiving device.   The broadcast receiving system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the receiver and the receiving device are connected to each other by HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface). In a receiver that is capable of receiving digital broadcasts and is equipped with a recording medium that records information for releasing viewing restrictions applied to the digital broadcasts for a predetermined channel,
Recording means for recording a channel capable of releasing the viewing restriction using the information recorded in the recording medium mounted, and information indicating a channel from which the viewing restriction can be removed by a predetermined external receiving device;
Accepting means for accepting an instruction for designating a digital broadcast channel to be received;
Means for determining, based on information recorded by the recording means, whether the channel specified by the instruction received by the receiving means is a channel for which viewing restriction can be removed by itself or a predetermined external receiving device;
Means for receiving a digital broadcast on the channel designated by the instruction when the channel designated by the instruction is a channel by which viewing restriction can be released by itself;
Means for transmitting, to the receiving device, an instruction to receive a digital broadcast on the channel specified by the instruction when the channel specified by the instruction is a channel whose viewing restriction can be removed by a predetermined external receiving device; A receiver characterized by that.

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