JP2010171486A - Information distribution system, information distribution apparatus, information receiving apparatus, information distribution method, and information receiving method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To distribute content through another communication means within a broadcasting area without imposing a special operation on the user. <P>SOLUTION: An information distribution system 10 includes: a radio station (broadcasting station 20) for sending radio waves; an information distribution apparatus (broadcasting station 20) distributing, by means of another communication means (IP communication network 50), information sent from the radio station through radio waves and/or information other than the information sent from the radio station through the radio waves; and an information receiving apparatus (receiver 40) which receives, by means of another communication means, the information sent from the radio station through the radio waves. In the information distribution system 10, the information distribution apparatus uses another communication means to distribute the information sent from the radio station through radio waves and/or information other than the information sent from the radio station through radio waves according to a radio wave receiving state of the information receiving apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information distribution system, an information distribution device, an information reception device, an information distribution method, and an information reception method.

  In the case of distributing contents in terrestrial digital broadcasting, it is necessary to obtain a broadcasting license for performing a broadcasting business for each broadcasting target area. However, if the content is distributed via the IP communication network, the content is broadcast, so that the content is also distributed outside the broadcast target area for which the broadcast license is acquired. Therefore, when the content transmitted by the broadcast station is redistributed via the IP communication network, the content is distributed to a mobile terminal, TV, or STB (set top box) that exists only in the broadcast target area. It is necessary to control access by region.

  For example, as one method of performing access control depending on the area where the receiver is installed, a TTL (Time To Live) value included in the header of the IP data, that is, the number of hops of the router through which it is set in advance for each broadcast target area Have been proposed (see Patent Document 1). When content is distributed with such settings, even if it is redistribution by broadcast or IP multicast specifying only a specific IP address range, if the TTL value set in this IP data becomes zero, the content is Since the transferring router discards the IP data in the middle, the content can be transmitted only to the broadcast target area even through the IP communication network.

  As another aspect, when a user lives in an area where broadcast waves can be received and has a portable receiver, the access control method is used when the location where the user wants to receive content is outside the area. As one, a device using a receiver equipped with a storage medium storing information indicating reception permission in a specific registered area has been proposed (see Patent Document 2). If the content is redistributed by adopting such a configuration, it is possible for a legitimate user to receive the content via the IP communication network even when the user is outside the registered area.

JP 2007-336022 A (summary etc.) JP 2008-141429 A (summary etc.)

  However, with the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, regardless of whether content is distributed for the first time or redistributed, it can be distributed only within the broadcast target area unless the TTL value is strictly set for each broadcast target area. Not like that. Also, depending on the routing protocol adopted by each passing router, the route to the arrival of content may be different even within the same broadcast target area, and the TTL value does not necessarily reach only within the broadcast target area. It is not guaranteed that the value is possible. Therefore, since there is a possibility that the content is not distributed even within the broadcast target area, or the content may be distributed even outside the broadcast target area, the access control method using the TTL value of the IP data is There is a problem from the viewpoint of reliability.

  In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, a storage medium storing information indicating permission of reception must be attached to the receiver regardless of whether content is distributed for the first time or redistributed. Therefore, even if the user has a receiver in the broadcast target area, the content is not distributed unless the storage medium is always mounted on the receiver. Further, in order to adopt this method throughout Japan, it is necessary to manage information indicating reception permission for each user, which is unified by all broadcasting stations.

  Therefore, in view of the above-described problems, the present invention provides an information distribution system that allows content to be received via other communication means within a broadcasting target area of a wireless station without imposing a special operation on the user. An object is to provide an information distribution device, an information reception device, an information distribution method, and an information reception method.

  An information distribution system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a wireless station that transmits radio waves, information that is transmitted by radio stations by radio waves, and / or information other than information that is transmitted by radio stations by radio waves. Information distribution device that can be distributed via communication means and information other than information transmitted by radio station and / or information transmitted by radio station via radio wave is received from information distribution device via other communication means In an information distribution system having an information receiving device capable of receiving information, the information distribution device transmits information transmitted from the radio station by radio waves and / or the radio station transmits by radio waves according to the reception status of the radio waves in the information receiving device. Information other than information is distributed to the information receiving device via other communication means.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the information distribution system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a reception status detection unit that detects a received electric field strength and / or reception error rate value of a radio wave from a radio station. And a reception status transmitter that transmits the received electric field strength and / or reception error rate values to the information distribution apparatus.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the information distribution system according to one aspect of the present invention is a broadcast station that transmits content using broadcast waves, and the information distribution apparatus receives broadcast waves in the information reception apparatus. A content distribution server capable of distributing content transmitted by a broadcast station and / or content other than content transmitted by a broadcast station via a broadcast wave according to a situation via an IP communication network. It is a receiver that transmits the reception status of the broadcast wave from the content distribution server and receives the content from the broadcast station or the content distribution server and / or other content other than the content transmitted by the broadcast station using the broadcast wave. preferable.

  In addition, the information distribution apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention provides information other than information transmitted from the radio station by radio waves and / or information transmitted from the radio station by radio waves via communication means other than radio waves. In an information distribution device that can be distributed to a reception device, the information distribution device sends out information indicating the reception status of the radio wave in the information reception device from the information reception device via other communication means. Information other than the information to be transmitted and / or the information transmitted by the radio station by radio waves is distributed to the information receiving device via other communication means according to the information indicating the reception status.

  In addition, the information distribution method according to one aspect of the present invention provides information other than information transmitted by radio stations and / or information transmitted by radio stations via radio waves. In an information distribution method used for an information distribution device that can be distributed to a reception device, a step of receiving information indicating reception status of radio waves in the information reception device from other information means from the information reception device; Distributing information other than information to be transmitted and / or information transmitted by radio stations via radio waves to the information receiving device via other communication means in accordance with the information indicating the reception status. is there.

  In addition, an information receiving apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention can receive radio waves transmitted from a radio station and distribute information other than information transmitted by radio waves and / or information transmitted by radio waves. In an information receiving device capable of communicating with a distribution device via communication means other than radio waves, the information receiving device detects the reception status of radio waves from a radio station, and sends information indicating the reception status to the information distribution device. Depending on the information indicating the reception status, other information other than information transmitted from the information distribution device by radio waves from the wireless station and / or information transmitted by radio waves is sent to other communication means. Is received via

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the information reception device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a reception status detection unit that detects a value of a reception electric field intensity and / or a reception error rate of a radio wave from a radio station, and a reception electric field intensity. And / or a reception status transmission unit that transmits the value of the reception error rate to the information distribution apparatus.

  In addition, the information receiving method according to one aspect of the present invention can receive radio waves transmitted from a radio station and distribute information other than information transmitted by radio waves and / or information transmitted by radio waves. In an information receiving method used for an information receiving apparatus capable of communicating with a distribution apparatus via a communication means other than radio waves, a step of detecting a reception status of radio waves from a radio station and information indicating the reception status are distributed. Depending on the step of transmitting to the device via other communication means and the information indicating the reception status, information transmitted from the information distribution device by radio waves from the radio station and / or other information other than information transmitted by radio waves Receiving via other communication means.

  According to the present invention, an information distribution system, an information distribution device, an information reception device, and an information can be received through other communication means within a broadcast target area without imposing a special operation on the user. A distribution method and an information reception method can be provided.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the information delivery system which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the broadcasting station shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the receiver shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the receiver shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a reception error rate detection circuit for performing the detection process of step S4 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the broadcasting station shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the broadcasting station and receiver which are contained in the information delivery system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

  First, the information distribution system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an information distribution system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the information distribution system 10 includes a broadcast station 20 and a receiver 40. 1 illustrates one broadcasting station 20 and two receivers 40, the information distribution system 10 may include a plurality of broadcasting stations 20 and three or more receivers 40.

  In the information distribution system 10, the receiver 40 detects the reception status of the broadcast wave from the broadcast station 20, transmits the detection information to the broadcast station 20 via the IP communication network 50, and the broadcast station 20 uses the detection information as the detection information. In response, the content is transmitted to the receiver 40. Note that the IP communication network 50 as another communication means is a communication network for performing communication between the broadcasting station 20 and the receiver 40. The IP communication network 50 may be constituted by a network using any one of the Internet, CATV, dedicated line, VPN (virtual LAN), WAN, etc. using a communication protocol such as TCP / IP, or a combination thereof. Good. Note that other communication protocols other than IP communication may be used as other communication means in the claims.

  The broadcast station 20 sends content for broadcast programs as stream data in accordance with the broadcast schedule. Also, the broadcasting station 20 can superimpose data broadcast and EPG (Electronic Program Guide) information on the broadcast wave and transmit it. In addition, the broadcast station 20 uses the IP communication network 50 to provide related content such as still images, audio, and moving images related to the broadcast program, or unique content that is independently produced regardless of the broadcast program (for example, a homepage provided by the broadcast station 20). , Text information, still picture information, moving picture information) can be provided to the receiver 40.

  In other words, the broadcast station 20 is linked to the video and audio of the broadcast program, and provides data broadcast that provides independent information such as information related to the broadcast program, weather forecasts and news, and EPG information referred to as an electronic program guide. In addition to being a radio station that can emit and transmit broadcast waves from an antenna, it is also an information distribution device that can transmit the above-described information to the receiver 40 via the IP communication network 50. The broadcast station 20 corresponds to a radio station, an information distribution device, and a content distribution server that transmit the radio waves in the claims.

  The receiver 40 receives the broadcast wave from the broadcast station 20 described above, and outputs video, audio and EPG information of the received broadcast program. In addition, when the reception state of the broadcast wave transmitted from the antenna of the broadcast station 2 is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the receiver 40 is identical to the content transmitted by the broadcast station 20 through the broadcast wave and / or Content related to the content and other different content can be received via the IP communication network 50. The receiver 40 corresponds to the information receiving device in the claims.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the broadcasting station 20 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the broadcast station 20 includes a content stream creation unit 21, an EPG information creation unit 22, a data broadcast creation unit 23, a MUX (MultipleXer) unit 24, a reception unit 25, a transmission availability determination unit 26, and a content generation unit. 27, the transmission unit 28, the broadcast content DB 21a, the broadcast schedule DB 22a, the data broadcast content DB 23a, the transmittable information DB 26a, and the content DB 27a are main components. In this embodiment, the broadcasting station 20 corresponds to the claimed wireless station, information distribution device, and content distribution server, but functions as a wireless station (content stream creation unit 21, EPG information creation unit 22, Data broadcast creation unit 23, MUX unit 24, broadcast content DB 21a, broadcast schedule DB 22a, function equivalent to data broadcast content DB 23a) and functions as an information distribution device or content distribution server (reception unit 25, transmission permission / inhibition determination unit) 26, the content generation unit 27, the transmission unit 28, the transmittable information DB 26a, and the function as the content DB 27a) may be realized by separate devices.

  Here, the information processing realized by the functions of the content stream creation unit 21, the EPG information creation unit 22, the data broadcast creation unit 23, the transmission availability determination unit 26, and the content generation unit 27 described above controls the entire broadcast station 20. This is realized by the control unit 29 executing in cooperation with hardware resources (not shown). Specifically, the control unit 29 includes a CPU, which is a hardware resource (not shown), and the CPU reads various programs stored in a ROM (not shown) into the RAM (not shown) and executes them in cooperation. It is realized by doing.

  The broadcast content DB 21a, the broadcast schedule DB 22a, the data broadcast content DB 23a, the transmittable information DB 26a, and the content DB 27a are stored in the storage unit 30. The storage unit 30 is, for example, from an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) or the like. Composed.

  The content stream creation unit 21 creates broadcast content with reference to the broadcast content DB 21a. In the present embodiment, the broadcast content is described as being encoded and multiplexed in conformity with the MPEG2-TS (Motion Photographic Coding Experts Group-2 Transport Stream) standard. In the MPEG2-TS standard, video and audio of transmitted content are generated as an encoded ES (Elementary Stream), and a PES (Packetized Elementary Stream) in which ES is packetized for each meaningful unit is generated. Is done. Further, a TS (Transport Stream) packet obtained by dividing the PES is transmitted from the broadcast station 20.

  In addition, by assigning a 13-bit packet identifier called PID to the header of each TS packet, it is possible to classify whether each TS packet is video data, audio data, control data, or the like of broadcast content. .

  Further, the control data here refers to data called SI / PSI (Service Information / Program Specific Information). SI of SI / PSI includes information necessary for creating EPG information, and PSI is control data including information for performing basic control. The TS packet is subjected to an encryption process (hereinafter referred to as “scramble process”) for preventing viewing contrary to the intention of the broadcast station 20. Here, for example, Multi2 can be used as the scrambling method. This Multi2 is one of the methods for encrypting digital data, and is widely used in BS digital broadcasting and terrestrial digital broadcasting. Note that the broadcast content described above is stored in the broadcast content DB 21a.

  The EPG information creation unit 22 creates EPG information with reference to the broadcast schedule DB 22a. The broadcast schedule DB 22a stores a broadcast schedule of the broadcast station 20 and broadcast schedule information of other broadcast stations 20.

  The data broadcast creation unit 23 creates a data broadcast such as weather forecasts and information related to programs from the data broadcast content DB 23a. The data broadcasting will be described on the assumption that the data broadcasting is encoded and multiplexed in conformity with the MPEG2-TS standard in the same manner as the broadcasting content described above. The data broadcasting content DB 23a includes URL (Uniform Resource Locator) information and P2P (Peer to Peer) information provided by the broadcasting station 20 related to the program, in addition to data broadcasting such as weather forecasts and information related to the program. ) Search query information that can be used in the method may be stored. The data broadcast creation unit 23 supplies these information together to the MUX unit 24.

  The MUX unit 24 includes content data created by the content stream creation unit 21 with reference to the broadcast content DB 21a, EPG information created by the EPG information creation unit 22 with reference to the broadcast schedule DB 22a, and data created by the broadcast creation unit 23. Broadcast data is generated by multiplexing data broadcast program data created with reference to the broadcast content DB 23a. Then, the broadcast data is transmitted as a broadcast wave from the antenna of the broadcast station 20.

  The receiving unit 25 is a communication interface that can receive a content request from the receiver 40 via the IP communication network 50. The receiving unit 25 receives information (for example, reception field strength and / or reception error rate) indicating the reception status of the broadcast wave transmitted from the broadcast station 20 from the receiver 40.

  The transmission permission / inhibition determination unit 26 determines whether the content can be transmitted from information indicating the reception status of the broadcast wave received by the reception unit 25. Specifically, if the receiver 40 can determine that the content can be received according to the reception status of the broadcast wave transmitted from the broadcast station 20, it determines that the content can be transmitted from the broadcast station 20. When the content requested from the receiver 40 is not limited to the area, the content can be transmitted to the receiver 40 regardless of the result of the broadcast station 20 reception determination. Note that the transmission permission / inhibition determination unit 26 may transmit content also to the receiver 40 when the broadcasting station 20 is not temporarily determined to be receivable by referring to the transmission permission information DB 26a. Note that the transmission result information DB 26a stores in advance determination result information as to whether or not the receiver 40 has been able to transmit in the past.

  When the transmission permission determination unit 26 refers to the transmission permission information DB 26a and determines that the content can be transmitted to the receiver 40, the content generation unit 27 refers to the content DB 27a and transmits to the receiver 40. Generate content to be used. Here, the content to be transmitted to the receiver 40 may be a content requested by the receiver 40, or a content linked to the broadcast program may be generated. The selected content may be generated when the receiver 40 requests specific content, and program-linked content may be automatically generated and transmitted otherwise. Note that, depending on whether or not the broadcast station 20 can be received by the receiver 40, whether or not a specific content can be transmitted is determined. However, depending on whether or not reception is possible, access to a specific site operated by the broadcast station 20 is restricted. Also good.

  Various contents are stored in the content DB 27a. The content stored in the content DB 27a stores program-linked content, content that can be accessed even after the end of broadcasting, content that is not limited to an area, and the like. Specific examples of content include still images, moving images, and audio. The information is described in a markup language such as XML (extensible Markup Language) or BML (Broadcast Markup Language). By using such a markup language, the compatibility with the IP communication network 50 is achieved. Can be made good.

  The transmission unit 28 is a communication interface that receives a content request from the receiver 40 via the IP communication network 50 and transmits the content to the receiver 40.

  Next, the receiver 40 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a block configuration of the receiver 40 shown in FIG. The receiver 40 is, for example, a terminal that receives a TV broadcast or a radio broadcast, and may be a fixed receiving terminal or a portable mobile terminal. The receiver 40 also outputs information received from the broadcast station 20 to the display device 60 and the audio reproduction device 70. Note that the receiver 40 according to the present embodiment is a separate device from the display device 60 and the audio playback device 70. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the receiver 40, the display device 60, and the audio reproduction device 70 may be provided in the same housing, for example, a television set. Further, the receiver 40 and the display device 60 may be provided in the same casing, and only the audio reproduction device 70 may be provided in another casing. That is, there are no particular limitations on the devices in which the three receivers 40, the display device 60, and the audio reproduction device 70 are provided. The receiver 40 may have a recording function and a recording function.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the receiver 40 includes an operation input unit 41, a control unit 42, a tuner 43, a descrambler unit 44, a DEMUX (DEMMultipleXer) unit 45, decoding units 46a and 46b, a video / audio output unit 47, and a recording unit. 48 and the communication part 49 are made into the main components. Here, the control unit 42 includes, for example, a CPU, which is a hardware resource (not shown), and reads various programs stored in the recording unit 48, the ROM, and the like into the RAM, and cooperates with various arithmetic processes. As a result, the information processing performed by the function of each unit of the receiver 40 can be realized.

  The operation input unit 41 is composed of, for example, a remote control or a touch panel, but may be configured to allow voice input or the like. In addition, the operation input unit 41 receives an operation input from the user and transmits a user instruction to the control unit 42. The user can perform an operation input to the receiver 40 by operating the operation input unit 41. The operation input to the receiver 40 may be input to an operation input unit 41 provided in the receiver 40 via a radio signal (operation signal) such as infrared rays. The operation signal input to the operation input unit 41 is input to the control unit 42 via a bus (not shown).

  The control unit 42 is configured by a CPU (not shown) and the like, and is a central processing unit that analyzes an operation signal input to the operation input unit 41 and controls operations of each unit constituting the receiver 40 or a part thereof. . For example, when the user inputs a channel selection instruction using the operation input unit 41, a signal indicating the content of the channel selection instruction is input to the control unit 42 via the operation input unit 41 and a bus (not shown). As a result, the control unit 42 transmits a channel selection instruction for the channel selected by the user to the tuner 43 via a bus (not shown). The control unit 42 also operates as a reception status detection unit in claims, and details thereof will be described together with the operation of the receiver 40 described later.

  The tuner 43 receives the broadcast wave of the broadcast station 20 with an antenna, demodulates the received RF (Radio Frequency) signal, performs error correction, etc., and outputs a TS signal composed of TS packets to the descrambler unit 44. In FIG. 3, only one tuner 43 is shown for receiving digital terrestrial broadcasting. However, when receiving analog broadcasting, the tuner 43 is provided for analog broadcasting, and two tuners 43 are provided. Also good.

  The descrambler unit 44 performs processing for releasing the TS signal composed of the TS packet that is superimposed on the RF signal received by the tuner and scrambled and transmitted to the normal signal according to the instruction of the control unit 42. Do. The descrambler unit 44 supplies the DEMUX unit 45 with a TS signal including the TS packet from which the scramble process has been released. If the scramble process is not performed, the received broadcast data may be directly supplied to the DEMUX unit 45 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 42.

  The DEMUX unit 45 converts a TS signal composed of the TS packet from which the scramble processing has been released (that is, broadcast data obtained by multiplexing a plurality of streams such as video and audio in the MUX unit 24 of the transmission-side broadcast station 20), A process of separating into stream data such as voice and section format data such as SI / PSI is performed. Each data separated by the DEMUX unit 45 is supplied to the decoding unit 46 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 42.

  The decoding unit 46a decodes broadcast content, EPG information, data broadcast, and the like according to instructions from the control unit 42. The decoding unit 46 a supplies the decoded data to the recording unit 48. The data supplied from the decoding unit 46a to the recording unit 48 may be supplied as it is as a data signal without being decoded as a video signal or an audio signal. In this case, a decoding unit 46 a may be provided between the recording unit 48 and the video / audio output unit 47.

  The decoding unit 46a decodes the above-described broadcast content, EPG information, data broadcast, and the like to generate audio data, video data, and program data, respectively. The decoded audio data is supplied to the audio reproduction device 70 described above. The audio reproduction device 70 performs D / A conversion processing on the supplied audio data and outputs it as an audio signal. The decoding unit 46 a supplies the decoded video data and program data to the video / audio output unit 47. The decoding unit 46b will be described together with a communication unit 49 described later.

  The video / audio output unit 47 stores the supplied program data in a RAM (not shown). The video / audio output unit 47 generates EPG information by drawing program data. Then, the video / audio output unit 47 generates a synthesized screen obtained by synthesizing the screen based on the EPG information on the screen based on the video data from the decoding unit 46 a and sends the synthesized screen to the display device 60. The display device 60 displays this composite screen.

  The recording unit 48 stores the data decoded by the decoding units 46 a and 46 b according to the recording instruction from the control unit 42.

  The communication unit 49 is a communication interface that communicates with the broadcast station 20 via the IP communication network 50. The communication unit 49 uploads information indicating the reception status from the control unit 42 to the broadcast station 20. The broadcasting station 20 receives the information indicating the reception status transmitted from the communication unit 49 of the receiver 40 by the receiving unit 25, and presents whether or not the content can be downloaded and downloadable content. The communication unit 49 of the receiver 40 receives data from the transmission unit 28 of the broadcast station 20, and sends the data to the decoding unit 46b. The decoding unit 46 b decodes the data received from the communication unit 49 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 42 and supplies it to the video / audio output unit 47. Similarly, the data supplied to the video / audio output unit 47 is output to the display device 60 and / or the audio reproduction device 70. The communication unit 49 corresponds to a reception status transmission unit in the claims.

  Subsequently, the operation of the receiver 40 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the receiver 40 shown in FIG. In the following processing, it is assumed that there are a plurality of broadcasting stations 20 and broadcast waves are transmitted from each broadcasting station 20.

  START: When receiving the operation input signal from the operation input unit 41, the control unit 42 of the receiver 40 starts processing.

  Step S1: The control unit 42 of the receiver 40 determines whether or not there is an access request to the broadcast station 20 as a content distribution server. If there is an access request, the process proceeds to step S2. If there is no access request, the determination process in step S1 is repeated until there is an access request. It may be monitored until an access request is made.

  Step S2: The control unit 42 of the receiver 40 detects whether or not a broadcast wave is being received from the broadcast station 20 having an access request. The control unit 42 shifts the process to step S4 when receiving (step), and shifts the process to step S3 when not receiving.

  Step S3: The control unit 42 of the receiver 40 tunes to the broadcast station 20 having the access request, receives the broadcast wave, and shifts the processing to step S4.

  Step S4: The control unit 42 of the receiver 40 detects the reception state of the broadcast wave from the broadcast station 20, and shifts the processing to step S5. Specifically, the control unit 42 detects the electric field reception intensity and / or reception error rate of the broadcast wave.

  Here, as a method for detecting the electric field reception intensity of the broadcast wave by the control unit 42 as the reception status detection unit of the claims, an electric field reception intensity signal generation circuit (not shown) capable of generating an electric field reception intensity signal is used as a receiver. 40 so that a value obtained from the generation circuit is output to the control unit 42. For example, a known RSSI (Receive Signal Strength Indication) circuit is provided as the generation circuit so that an electric field reception intensity signal can be obtained from the RSSI circuit. Any circuit may be used as long as the electric field reception intensity can be detected.

Further, as a method for detecting the broadcast wave reception error rate by the control unit 42 as the reception status detection unit of the claims, the receiver 40 is provided with a reception error rate detection circuit, and a detection signal obtained from the detection circuit Is output to the control unit 42. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the reception error rate detection circuit 80 for performing the detection process of step S4 shown in FIG. For example, the detection circuit includes a reception error detection unit 81 that can detect a reception error, a main counter 82 that increments by one each time the reception error detection unit 81 inspects bits of reception data, and an error detection unit 81. An error bit counter 83 that increments each time an error bit of received data is detected, a reception error rate calculation unit 84 that always calculates an error rate from the count values of the main counter 82 and the error bit counter 83, and A detection signal is output when the error rate calculated by comparing the error rate calculated by the error rate calculation unit 84 with the memory 85 that holds a preset reference value and the reference value of the memory 85 exceeds the reference value. And a determination unit 86 to perform. For example, 4 × 2 × 10 ⁻² , 2 × 10 ⁻³ , 2 × 10 ⁻⁴ , and 2 × 10 ⁻⁵ are stored as reference values preset in the memory 85, and the calculated error rate is calculated. The reception error rate can be detected by allowing the determination unit 86 to output the respective detection signals to the control unit 42 when the reference value exceeds any of these reference values. The reception error rate detection circuit 80 described above is merely an example, and any circuit may be used as long as the reception error rate can be detected.

  By using the electric field reception intensity signal obtained from the electric field reception intensity signal generation circuit and / or the detection signal obtained from the reception error rate detection circuit 80, the reception state of the broadcast wave can be detected.

  Step S5: The control unit 42 of the receiver 40 uploads information indicating the reception status of broadcast waves to the broadcast station 20 via the IP communication network 50, and shifts the processing to step S6.

  Step S6: The control unit 42 of the receiver 40 receives content corresponding to the information uploaded from the broadcast station 20 in step S5. Specifically, the information indicating that the content cannot be distributed because the information indicating the reception status is bad, or the region-limited content transmitted from the broadcast station 20 because the information indicating the reception status is good. Distributed from the broadcasting station 20.

  Step S7: The control unit 42 of the receiver 40 outputs the received content to the display device 60 and the audio reproduction device 70 as video and audio output data.

  Next, the operation of the broadcast station 20 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the broadcast station 20 shown in FIG. It is assumed that the broadcast station 20 is transmitting a broadcast wave as a premise for the following processing.

  START: The control unit 29 of the broadcasting station 20 starts processing when the receiving unit 25 receives information transmitted from the receiver 40.

  Step S10: The control unit 29 of the broadcast station 20 detects the reception status of the broadcast wave transmitted from the receiver 40, and shifts the processing to step S11.

Step S11: The control unit 29 of the broadcast station 20 determines whether or not the receiver 40 can receive the broadcast wave from the broadcast station 20 from the information indicating the reception status detected in Step S10. Specifically, the information indicating the detected reception status includes at least a value such as a received electric field strength and / or a reception error rate. For example, if the received electric field strength, a predetermined value (for example, 60 dB or more) is set. It is determined whether or not it exceeds or a BER (Bit Error Rate) is a predetermined value (for example, 2 × 10 ⁻⁴ ) or less if it is a reception error rate. In this embodiment, either the reception field strength value or the reception error rate is used to broadcast depending on whether the detected reception field strength value or the reception error rate value satisfies a predetermined value. It is determined whether or not a wave can be received, but it is determined that a broadcast wave can be received when both of the received electric field strength value and the reception error rate value are satisfied and each satisfies a predetermined value, or Alternatively, it may be determined that a broadcast wave can be received when any one of these satisfies a predetermined value. When the control unit 29 of the broadcast station 20 determines that the broadcast wave from the broadcast station 20 cannot be received at a predetermined level, the control unit 29 proceeds to step S12 and receives the broadcast wave at the predetermined level. If it is determined that it can be performed, the process proceeds to step S13.

  Step S12: The control unit 29 of the broadcast station 20 transmits content indicating that the broadcast wave from the broadcast station 20 cannot be received to the receiver 40.

  Step S13: On the other hand, if the control unit 29 of the broadcast station 20 determines in step S11 that the receiver 40 can receive at a predetermined level, whether or not there is any content that can be transmitted to the receiver 40. Determine whether. When there is content that can be transmitted to the receiver 40, the control unit 29 of the broadcast station 20 proceeds to step S14, and when there is no content that can be transmitted, the control unit 29 proceeds to step S15. Here, the content that can be transmitted to the receiver 40 refers to content that is transmitted in conjunction with the program broadcast time for content related to a program broadcast by the broadcast station 20.

  Step S14: Since there is no content to be transmitted, the control unit 29 of the broadcast station 20 transmits the content to that effect to the receiver 40.

  Step S15: On the other hand, since there is content to be transmitted, the control unit 29 of the broadcast station 20 transmits the content to the receiver 40.

  By using such an information distribution system 10, it is possible to cause the receiver 40 to receive content via the IP communication network 50 within the broadcast target area without imposing a special operation on the user. In other words, the content can be distributed only to the receiver 40 that can receive the broadcast wave.

  Next, an information distribution system 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Unlike the information distribution system 1 according to the first embodiment, the information distribution system 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention receives the reception when the receiver 40A receives information from the broadcast station 20A by broadcast waves. It is possible to receive content linked to the information. The information distribution system 1A according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as the information distribution system 1 shown in FIG. 1 except for the operations of the broadcasting station 20A and the receiving device 40A. Description is omitted. The broadcast station 20A corresponds to a radio station, an information distribution device, and a content distribution server that transmit the claimed radio wave, and the receiver 40A corresponds to the information reception device of the claims.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing operations of the broadcasting station 20A and the receiver 40A included in the information distribution system 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the following processing, it is assumed that there are a plurality of broadcast stations 20A and broadcast waves are transmitted from each broadcast station 20A.

  START: When receiving the operation input signal from the operation input unit 41, the control unit 42 of the receiver 40A starts processing.

  Step S20: When the control unit 42 of the receiver 40A receives a broadcast wave from the broadcast station 20 by the user's operation or the like (the user views the broadcast), the control unit 42 proceeds to the process of step S21.

  Step S21: The control unit 42 of the receiver 40A detects whether there is content linked to the program from the broadcast wave. Specifically, the control unit 42 of the receiver 40A analyzes and detects EPG information and data broadcast information included in the broadcast wave. As a result, if there is content linked to the program (YES in step S21), the control unit 42 of the receiver 40A proceeds to the process of step 22, and if not (NO in step S21), the determination in step S21. Repeat the process.

  Step S22: The control unit 42 of the receiver 40A notifies that there is content linked to the program, and proceeds to the process of step S23. The notification method is, for example, a menu screen that is displayed by a predetermined icon on the display screen of the display device 60, or a screen that displays EPG information, and that is called by a user performing a specific operation. May be displayed.

  Step S23: The control unit 42 of the receiver 40A detects whether or not there is a request for program-linked content from the user. When the user reserves the display of linked content for a specific program or when there is a program-linked content and the setting is such that the linked content is played back again, the user requests the program-linked content. Is determined (YES in step S23). In addition, in this step S23, when there are a plurality of program-linked contents, the method for acquiring the contents is also set. Specifically, all contents are downloaded or only specific contents are downloaded. When there is no request for program-linked content from the user (NO in step S23), control unit 42 of receiver 40A repeats the process of step S23 until a request for program-linked content is received.

  Step S24: When there is a request for program-linked content in step S23, the control unit 42 of the receiver 40A detects the reception status of the broadcast wave from the broadcast station 20A of the receiver 40, and proceeds to the process of step S25. . The method for detecting the broadcast wave reception status is the same as the process in step S4 in FIG.

  Step S25: The control unit 42 of the receiver 40A, the information indicating the reception status as the information of the receiver 40A detected in Step S24 and the terminal information (for example, the ID and codec correspondence of the receiver 40, the communication speed, the displayable image size) ) Is transmitted to the broadcast station 20 via the IP communication network 5. If there are a plurality of contents, the set acquisition method is also transmitted. When the control unit 42 of the receiver 40A completes the process of step S25, the process of step S26 is started on the broadcasting station 20A side.

  Step S26: The control unit 29 of the broadcast station 20A receives the information of the receiver 40A including the information indicating the reception status through the IP communication network 50 in Step S25.

  Step S27: The control unit 29 of the broadcasting station 20A determines from the information of the receiver 40A whether the receiver 40A may transmit the linked content. Specifically, it is determined from information indicating the reception status of the receiver 40A, for example, whether the received electric field strength and / or the reception error rate exceeds a predetermined value. If the control unit 29 of the broadcasting station 20A determines that the receiver 40A may transmit linked content (YES in step S27), the process may proceed to step S28 and transmit the linked content. If it is determined that it is not the receiver 40A (NO in step S27), the process proceeds to step S29.

  Step S28: The control unit 29 of the broadcast station 20A transmits linked content to the receiver 40A. When there are a plurality of linked contents, the contents are transmitted based on the acquisition method set by the receiver 40A. If there is no particular setting, before sending the linked content, after sending the content indicating which linked content to acquire, the linked content according to the request of the receiver 40A may be sent. One content or all of the content may be transmitted. When the process of step S28 is performed, the process of step S31 is started on the receiver 40A side.

  Step S29: The control unit 29 of the broadcasting station 20A transmits content notifying the receiver 40A that the linked content may not be transmitted to the receiver 40A. When the process of step S29 is performed, the process of step S30 is started on the receiver 40A side.

  Step S30: The control unit 42 of the receiver 40A receives and reproduces content indicating that linked content cannot be transmitted from the broadcast station 20A, and ends the processing.

  Step S31: The control unit 42 of the receiver 40A receives the linked content transmitted in step S28. When the reception of the linked content is completed, the control unit 42 of the receiver 40A proceeds to the process of step S32.

  Step S32: The control unit 42 of the receiver 40A reproduces the linked content by the set method. Specifically, it is possible to reproduce with a broadcast wave on two screens, or to reproduce a still image or a moving image on the display device 60 when the broadcast is audio such as radio broadcast.

  By using such an information distribution system 10A, it is possible to cause the receiver 40A to receive content via the IP communication network 50 within the broadcast target area without imposing a special operation on the user. That is, the content can be distributed only to the receiver 40A that can receive the broadcast wave. In addition, such an information distribution system 10A makes it possible to distribute content linked to a broadcast program only for users who are viewing the broadcast program. Also, the user can view various contents provided by the broadcast station 20A only by viewing the broadcast program.

  The information distribution systems 10 and 10A have been described as exemplary embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. .

  For example, the presence or absence of program-linked content may be notified by voice. Alternatively, the presence / absence of linked content may be notified during broadcast broadcasting of a broadcast wave. Specifically, the presenter may introduce the program in a program or stream it as a telop. When notification is made during program broadcast, the presence or absence of linked content may be detected by voice recognition or image recognition.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the information indicating the reception status is determined and whether or not the content can be transmitted is determined. However, the content limited to the region and the content not limited to the region on the HP of the broadcasting station. May be prepared, and the processing may be performed when reproduction of content limited to a region is requested.

  Further, in the information distribution systems 10 and 10A according to the above-described embodiments, the client server type network method for downloading content from the broadcast stations 20 and 20A is adopted. However, the information distribution system 10 and 10A is performed by the P2P type network method. Also good. In this case, a request for content to the broadcast stations 20 and 20A is transmitted as a search query, information indicating the reception status is also transmitted, and a peer that owns the content only when the information indicating the reception status satisfies a reference value. May be transmitted to download content from the peer.

  Further, all or some of the functions of the respective parts described in the information distribution systems 10 and 10A according to the above-described embodiments may be configured by a program, and this program may be installed in an information processing apparatus (computer). . Specifically, it can be a program for functioning as a computer. The program can be directly installed on a computer from a medium recorded in an executable state, but it may be installed on a remote computer via a network.

10, 10A information distribution system, 20, 20A broadcast station (wireless station, information distribution apparatus, content distribution server), 21 content stream creation unit, 22 EPG information creation unit, 23 data broadcast creation unit, 24 MUX unit, 25 reception unit , 26 transmission availability determination unit, 27 content generation unit, 28 transmission unit, 29 control unit, 30 storage unit, 21a broadcast content DB, 22a broadcast schedule DB, 23a data broadcast content DB, 26a transmittable information DB, 27a content DB, 40, 40A receiver (information receiving device), 41 operation input unit, 42 control unit (reception status detection unit), 43 tuner, 44 descrambler unit, 45 DEMUX unit, 46 decoding unit, 47 video / audio output unit, 48 recording unit, 49 communication unit (reception status transmission unit), 50 IP communication network (other communication means), 60 display device, 70 audio reproduction device, 80 reception error rate detection circuit, 81 error detection unit, 82 main counter, 83 error bit counter, 84 error rate calculation unit, 85 determination unit, 86 memory

Claims (8)

A radio station that transmits radio waves,
An information delivery device capable of delivering information other than information transmitted by the radio station and / or information transmitted by the radio station via the communication means other than the radio wave;
An information receiving device capable of receiving information transmitted from the radio station by the radio wave and / or information other than information transmitted by the radio station from the radio wave from the information distribution device via the other communication means; In an information distribution system having
The information distribution device transmits information other than information transmitted from the radio station and / or information transmitted from the radio station by the radio wave according to the reception status of the radio wave by the information reception device. An information distribution system for distributing to the information receiving apparatus via another communication means. The information distribution system according to claim 1,
The information receiving device includes:
A reception status detection unit for detecting a value of a received electric field strength and / or a reception error rate of the radio wave from the radio station;
A reception status transmitter for transmitting the received electric field strength and / or the value of the reception error rate to the information distribution device;
An information distribution system comprising: In the information delivery system according to claim 1 or 2,
The wireless station is a broadcasting station that sends out content by broadcast waves,
The information distribution apparatus transmits IP content other than the content transmitted by the broadcast station and / or the content transmitted by the broadcast station according to the reception state of the broadcast wave in the information reception apparatus. A content distribution server that can be distributed via a communication network,
The information receiving device transmits the reception status of the broadcast wave from the broadcast station to the content distribution server, and the content and / or the broadcast station sends out the broadcast wave from the broadcast station or the content distribution server. An information distribution system that is a receiver that receives content other than the content to be received. In an information distribution apparatus capable of distributing information other than information transmitted by radio stations and / or information transmitted by radio stations to the information receiving apparatus via communication means other than the radio waves,
The information distribution device receives information indicating the reception status of the radio wave in the information reception device from the information reception device via the other communication means, and information transmitted by the radio station with the radio wave and / or Alternatively, information distribution characterized in that information other than information transmitted by the radio station via the radio waves is distributed to the information receiving device via the other communication means according to the information indicating the reception status. apparatus. Information that is transmitted by radio stations and / or information other than information that the radio stations transmit by radio waves is used in an information distribution apparatus that can distribute to information receiving apparatuses via other communication means other than the radio waves. Information delivery method,
Receiving information indicating the reception status of the radio wave in the information receiving device from the information receiving device via the other communication means;
The information transmitted by the radio station using the radio wave and / or the information other than the information transmitted by the radio station using the radio wave are transmitted via the other communication means according to the information indicating the reception status. Delivering to the receiving device;
An information distribution method characterized by comprising: An information distribution device capable of receiving radio waves transmitted from a radio station and distributing information transmitted by the radio waves and / or information other than information transmitted by the radio waves, and communication means other than the radio waves In the information receiving apparatus that can communicate via
The information receiving device detects the reception status of radio waves from the wireless station,
Sending information indicating the reception status to the information distribution device via the other communication means,
In response to the information indicating the reception status, the information delivery device receives information transmitted by the radio wave from the radio station and / or other information other than the information transmitted by the radio wave via the other communication means. An information receiving apparatus. The information receiving device according to claim 6,
A reception status detection unit for detecting a value of a received electric field strength and / or a reception error rate of the radio wave from the radio station;
A reception status transmitter for transmitting the received electric field strength and / or the value of the reception error rate to the information distribution device;
An information receiving apparatus comprising: An information distribution device capable of receiving radio waves transmitted from a radio station and distributing information transmitted by the radio waves and / or information other than information transmitted by the radio waves, and communication means other than the radio waves In an information receiving method used for an information receiving apparatus capable of communicating via
Detecting the reception status of radio waves from the wireless station;
Transmitting information indicating the reception status to the information distribution device via the other communication means;
In response to the information indicating the reception status, the information delivery device receives information transmitted by the radio wave from the radio station and / or other information other than the information transmitted by the radio wave via the other communication means. And steps to
An information receiving method characterized by comprising:

Images