JP2012089952A - Information output device and information output method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information output device which excellently controls output of content information indicating existence of a content including reproduction limitation information.SOLUTION: The information output device of this embodiment is provided with setting means, detection means, and information output restriction means. The setting means sets first restriction information for restricting viewing by a person younger than a first age. The detection means detects, from a content, second restriction information which restricts viewing by a person younger than a second age. The information output restriction means restricts the output of the content information indicating existence of the content on the basis of the first and second restriction information.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an information output apparatus and an information output method.

  In recent years, recorders capable of recording content provided by satellite broadcasting or the like and content distributed via a network have become widespread. In recent years, digital television broadcast receivers capable of recording the content have also appeared.

  As described above, various contents are provided. Among the provided contents, harmful contents including sexual expression or violent expression also exist. For example, the harmful content includes reproduction restriction information (parental lock). For example, when the content reproduction apparatus detects reproduction restriction information from harmful content, it requests a password input. The content reproduction device permits reproduction of harmful content and reproduces harmful content on condition that a registered password registered in advance matches an input password input in response to the request.

  In this way, the content reproduction device restricts the reproduction of harmful content. In addition, techniques for restricting the reproduction of harmful content by various methods have been proposed.

JP 2010-98528 A

  For example, the content reproduction apparatus displays a content list including harmful content. Even if the content reproduction apparatus restricts the reproduction of harmful content by a password, the content reproduction apparatus notifies the existence of the harmful content. A user in a position of managing harmful content is inconvenient when he / she does not want others to know the existence of harmful content.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an information output device and an information output method excellent in output control of content information indicating the presence of content including reproduction restriction information.

  The information output apparatus according to the embodiment includes setting means, detection means, and information output control means. The setting means sets first restriction information for restricting viewing under the first age. The detection means detects second restriction information for restricting viewing under the second age from the content. The information output restriction unit restricts output of content information indicating the presence of the content based on the first and second restriction information.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a digital television broadcast receiving apparatus (information output apparatus) common to the first and second embodiments. It is a flowchart explaining an example of the information output control which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining an example of the information output control which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a content list. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a content list. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a content list.

  The first and second embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a digital television broadcast receiving apparatus (information output apparatus) common to the first and second embodiments. In the first and second embodiments, information output control by a digital television broadcast receiver will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to the information output control by the digital television broadcast receiver. Information output control described below can also be realized by various recorders and players. Examples of the various recorders and players include an HDD recorder, a BD (Blu-ray) (registered trademark) player, a BD recorder, a DVD player, and a DVD recorder.

  A digital television broadcast receiver 100 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, a satellite digital television broadcast signal received by an antenna 47 for BS / CS digital broadcast reception is supplied to a satellite digital broadcast tuner 49 via an input terminal 48, and the tuner 49 is designated. The broadcast signal of the selected channel is selected.

  The broadcast signal selected by the tuner 49 is supplied to a PSK (phase shift keying) demodulation module 50, demodulated into a digital video signal and audio signal, and then output to the signal processing module 51.

  The terrestrial digital television broadcast signal received by the terrestrial broadcast receiving antenna 52 is supplied to the terrestrial digital broadcast tuner 54 via the input terminal 53, and the tuner 54 receives the broadcast signal of the designated channel. select.

  The broadcast signal selected by the tuner 54 is supplied to an OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) demodulation module 55, demodulated into a digital video signal and audio signal, and then output to the signal processing module 51. .

  The terrestrial analog television broadcast signal received by the terrestrial broadcast receiving antenna 52 is supplied to the terrestrial analog broadcast tuner 56 via the input terminal 53, and the tuner 56 receives the broadcast signal of the designated channel. select. The broadcast signal selected by the tuner 56 is supplied to the analog demodulation module 57, demodulated into an analog video signal and audio signal, and then output to the signal processing module 51.

  Here, the signal processing module 51 selectively performs predetermined digital signal processing on the digital video signal and audio signal supplied from the PSK demodulation module 50 and the OFDM demodulation module 55, respectively, and the graphic processing module 58. And output to the audio processing module 59.

  The signal processing module 51 is connected to a plurality (four in the illustrated case) of input terminals 60a, 60b, 60c, and 60d. These input terminals 60 a to 60 d can input analog video signals and audio signals from the outside of the digital television broadcast receiver 100.

  The signal processing module 51 selectively digitizes the analog video signal and audio signal supplied from the analog demodulation module 57 and the input terminals 60a to 60d, respectively, and the digitized video signal and audio signal. Are subjected to predetermined digital signal processing and then output to the graphic processing module 58 and the audio processing module 59.

  Among them, the graphic processing module 58 has a function of superimposing and outputting the OSD signal generated by the OSD (on screen display) signal generation module 61 on the digital video signal supplied from the signal processing module 51. The graphic processing module 58 can selectively output the output video signal of the signal processing module 51 and the output OSD signal of the OSD signal generation module 61, and can also output a combination of both outputs.

  The digital video signal output from the graphic processing module 58 is supplied to the video processing module 62. The video signal processed by the video processing module 62 is supplied to the video display unit 14 and also supplied to the output terminal 63. The video display unit 14 displays video based on the video signal. When an external device is connected to the output terminal 63, the video signal supplied to the output terminal 63 is input to the external device.

  The audio processing module 59 converts the input digital audio signal into an analog audio signal that can be reproduced by the speaker 15, and then outputs the analog audio signal to the speaker 15 for audio output, and via the output terminal 64. Derived outside.

  Note that the control module 65 of the digital television broadcast receiving apparatus 100 comprehensively controls all processes and operations including the signal processing described above. The control module 65 is configured by a CPU (central processing unit) or the like. The control module 65 controls each module so that the operation content is reflected based on the operation information from the operation unit 16 or the operation information sent from the remote controller 17 and received via the light receiving unit 18. Yes.

  In this case, the control module 65 mainly includes a read only memory (ROM) 66 that stores a control program executed by the CPU, a random access memory (RAM) 67 that provides a work area for the CPU, various setting information and control. A nonvolatile memory 68 in which information and the like are stored is used.

  The control module 65 is connected via a card I / F (interface) 69 to a card holder 70 in which the memory card 19 can be mounted. As a result, the control module 65 can perform information transmission via the memory card 19 attached to the card holder 70 and the card I / F 69.

  The control module 65 is connected to the LAN terminal 21 via the communication I / F 73. Thereby, the control module 65 can transmit and receive information via the LAN cable connected to the LAN terminal 21 and the communication I / F 73. For example, the control module 65 can receive content distributed from the server via the LAN cable and the communication I / F 73.

  Further, the control module 65 is connected to the HDMI terminal 22 via the HDMI I / F 74. As a result, the control module 65 can perform information transmission with the HDMI compatible device connected to the HDMI terminal 22 via the HDMI I / F 74.

  Further, the control module 65 is connected to the USB terminal 24 via the USB I / F 76. As a result, the control module 65 can perform information transmission with the USB compatible device connected to the USB terminal 24 via the USB I / F 76.

  Further, the control module 65 refers to the recording reservation information included in the recording reservation list stored in the nonvolatile memory 68, and controls the recording operation of the content based on the received signal. As a recording destination, for example, there are an internal HDD 101 and a USB-HDD 102.

  Further, the control module 65 controls the brightness of the backlight of the video display unit 14 based on the brightness detection level from the brightness sensor 71. Further, the control module 65 determines the presence / absence of the user at the opposite position of the video display unit 14 based on the moving image information from the camera 72 and controls the video on the video display unit 14 on / off.

  Next, an example of information output control of content information indicating the presence of content including reproduction control information by the digital television broadcast receiver 100 will be described. For example, the content information is a display item including information such as a content title and a content reproduction time.

(First embodiment)
The first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  For example, the content is content received via the tuners 49 and 54 or the communication I / F 73. Further, it is assumed that the content includes reproduction control information (parental information) set for the content.

  The user can input age restriction information (hereinafter referred to as first age restriction information) via the operation module 16 or the remote controller 17, and the operation module 16 or the remote controller 17 receives the first age restriction information. Corresponding to the input of information, first age restriction information is set (ST101). The first age restriction information is information for restricting viewing under the first age. For example, the nonvolatile memory 68 stores the set first age restriction information.

  The nonvolatile memory 68 stores a registered password set in advance, and the control module 65 requests input of a password in response to a request for input and change of the first age restriction information. In response to this, the user inputs a password via the operation module 16 or the remote controller 17, and the control module 65 sets the first age restriction information on condition that the registered password and the input password match. The first age restriction information is set, or the set first age control information is changed.

  Subsequently, the user can request a list display of a plurality of contents stored in, for example, the internal HDD 101 via the operation module 16 or the remote controller 17. For example, when the user requests a content list display via the operation module 16 or the remote controller 17, the control module 65 displays each content stored in the built-in HDD 101 (hereinafter, first and first for ease of explanation). The content list output control (display control) is executed based on the reproduction control information included in the second and third contents).

  Upon receiving the content list display request (ST102), the control module 65 detects the first playback control information from the first content, detects the second playback control information from the second content, Third reproduction control information is detected from the content. Furthermore, the control module 65 detects the second age restriction information set for the first content from the first reproduction control information, and the third age set for the second content from the second reproduction control information. Age restriction information is detected, and fourth age restriction information set for the third content is detected from the third reproduction control information (ST103, YES). The control module 65 limits the output (display) of the content list based on the set first age restriction information and the detected second, third, and fourth age restriction information. The second age restriction information is information for restricting viewing under the second age, and the third age restriction information is information for restricting viewing under the third age, The fourth age restriction information is information for restricting viewing under the fourth age.

  For example, the control module 65 determines that the second age of the second age restriction information exceeds the first age of the first age restriction information, and the third age of the third age restriction information is the first age restriction. When the first age of the information is exceeded and the fourth age of the fourth age restriction information exceeds the first age of the first age restriction information (ST104, YES), the first, second, third A first content list that does not include the first, second, and third content information indicating the presence of content is output (ST105). In response to this, the video display unit 14 displays the first content list (see FIG. 4). Note that the first content list is a content list that does not include the first, second, and third content information corresponding to the non-display condition.

  When the user selects content information included in the first content list, for example, via the operation module 16 or the remote controller 17, the control module 65 starts playback of the content corresponding to the selected content information. The video display unit 14 displays a video of content corresponding to the selected content information. That is, the user cannot instruct reproduction of the first, second, and third contents from the first content list, and cannot know the existence of the first, second, and third contents.

  In addition, the control module 65 determines that the second age of the second age restriction information does not exceed the first age of the first age restriction information, and the third age of the third age restriction information is the first age. If the first age of the restriction information does not exceed the first age and the fourth age of the fourth age restriction information does not exceed the first age of the first age restriction information (ST104, NO), the first, second, A second content list including the first, second, and third content information indicating the presence of the third content is output (ST106). In response to this, the video display unit 14 displays the second content list (see FIG. 5). The second content list is a content list including all content information.

  When the user selects, for example, the first content information included in the second content list via the operation module 16 or the remote controller 17, the control module 65 corresponds to the selected first content information. The reproduction of the first content is started, and the video display unit 14 displays the video of the first content corresponding to the selected first content information. That is, the user can instruct the reproduction of the first, second, and third contents from the second content list, and can also know the presence of the first, second, and third contents.

  In addition, the control module 65 determines that the second age of the second age restriction information exceeds the first age of the first age restriction information, and the third age of the third age restriction information is the first age restriction. If the first age of the information does not exceed the fourth age of the fourth age restriction information does not exceed the first age of the first age restriction information (ST104, YES), the presence of the first content is determined. The third content list including the second and third content information indicating the presence of the second and third contents without including the first content information is output (ST105). In response to this, the video display unit 14 displays the third content list (see FIG. 6). Note that the third content list is a content list that does not include the first content information corresponding to the non-display condition.

  When the user selects, for example, the second content information included in the third content list via the operation module 16 or the remote controller 17, the control module 65 corresponds to the selected second content information. The reproduction of the second content is started, and the video display unit 14 displays the video of the second content corresponding to the selected second content information. That is, the user can instruct the reproduction of the second and third contents from the third content list and can know the existence of the second and third contents. Playback cannot be instructed, and the presence of the first content cannot be known.

(Second Embodiment)
The second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In the second embodiment, content list output control (display control) using a release password (for example, a personal identification number) for releasing the output restriction of the content list described in the first embodiment will be described.

  The nonvolatile memory 68 stores a preset release password. For example, the user inputs a release password via the operation module 16 or the remote controller 17, and the control module 65 is provided on condition that the preset release password matches the input release password. Release or temporarily release the content list output restriction. Note that the release password may be input before the content list is displayed or during the display of the content list.

  For example, when the release password is input before the content list is displayed and the preset release password matches the input release password, the control module 65 receives the request for content list display. The second content list including the first, second, and third content information indicating the presence of the first, second, and third content is output. That is, the control module 65 determines that the second age of the second age restriction information exceeds the first age of the first age restriction information, and the third age of the third age restriction information is the first age restriction. Even when the information exceeds the first age and the fourth age of the fourth age restriction information exceeds the first age of the first age restriction information, the second content list is output. In response to this, the video display unit 14 displays the second content list.

  When the control module 65 receives a request for content list display (ST201, YES), for example, the first content list is displayed (ST202). If there is no instruction to stop displaying the content list (ST203, YES), the release password is input (ST204), and the release password set in advance matches the input release password (ST205). , YES), the control module 65 stops outputting the first content list, and instead outputs the second content list. In response to this, the video display unit 14 stops displaying the first content list, and instead displays the second content list (ST206).

  Next, a case where the content list output restriction is temporarily canceled will be described. That is, the timing for restarting the output restriction of the content list will be described.

  For example, as described above, when the first content list is displayed (ST202), the release password is input (ST204, YES), and the preset release password matches the input release password. (ST205, YES), the control module 65 stops outputting the first content list and outputs the second content list instead. Furthermore, after a predetermined time has elapsed (YES in ST207), the control module 65 resumes the output restriction, stops outputting the second content list, and outputs the first content list instead. In response to this, the video display unit 14 displays the first content list, then stops displaying the first content list, displays the second content list, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, 2 is stopped, and instead, the first content list is displayed (ST202). As a result, the user who temporarily canceled the output restriction leaves the video display unit 14 and, after a predetermined time elapses, even if another user looks at the screen of the video display unit 14, the user who temporarily canceled the output restriction hides it. The existence of the first content or the like to be made is not known to another user.

  Further, after the control module 65 outputs the second content list based on the temporary release of the output restriction of the content list, the user instructs the output stop of the content list via the operation module 16 or the remote controller 17. Then, the control module 65 stops the output of the second content list and resumes the output restriction of the content list. Therefore, after that, when the user instructs the output of the content list via the operation module 16 or the remote controller 17, the control module 65, for example, based on the output restriction of the content list, for example, the first content list or the third Output content list. Thereby, even if the user who temporarily canceled the output restriction leaves the video display unit 14 and then another user instructs the output of the content list, the second content list is not displayed. The existence of the first content or the like that the user who temporarily canceled the output restriction wants to hide is not known to another user.

  In addition, after the control module 65 outputs the second content list based on the temporary release of the output restriction of the content list, the user can change the contents of the first content list via the operation module 16 or the remote controller 17. When the first content information is selected, the control module 65 starts reproduction of the first content. Thereafter, when the user gives an instruction to stop playback via the operation module 16 or the remote controller 17, the control module 65 stops playback of the first content and resumes output restriction of the content list. Therefore, after that, when the user instructs the output of the content list via the operation module 16 or the remote controller 17, the control module 65, for example, based on the output restriction of the content list, for example, the first content list or the third Output content list. As a result, the user whose output restriction has been temporarily released reproduces the first content to be hidden, stops the reproduction, then leaves the video display unit 14, and then another user outputs the content list. Even if the instruction is given, the second content list is not displayed, and another user does not know the existence of the first content that the user who temporarily canceled the output restriction wants to hide.

  The first embodiment and the second embodiment described above will be summarized below.

  In recent years, programs (for example, adult content) in which viewing age restrictions are set have been broadcast. An increasing number of recorders are equipped with a digital media server (DMS) function for receiving and recording viewing age-restricted programs via a LAN. The recorder can reproduce the recorded viewing age-restricted program with a digital media player (DMP) function. Further, the recorder can output display information for displaying a list of titles of a plurality of distributed contents. Correspondingly, a display unit such as a TV displays a list of titles of a plurality of distributed contents. When the title of one content is selected from the list display, the recorder plays back the content corresponding to the selected title. However, when the users A and B use one recorder, the user A may record the viewing age restricted program, and the user A may not want to show the viewing age restricted program to the user B (for example, a child). Furthermore, user A may not want to show user B the presence of a viewing age restricted program. That is, the user A wants to limit the presence notification of the viewing age restricted program.

  The digital television broadcast receiver 100 described in the first and second embodiments has a function of playing back content distributed from a server and inquiring and playing back content instructed from a digital media controller (DMC) to the server. , The parental information in the stream of the content to be played back was acquired, the viewing age limit set in advance was compared with the viewing age limit included in the acquired parental information, and included in the parental information If the viewing age limit exceeds the preset viewing age limit, a list that does not include a title bar indicating the presence of the content to be played back is displayed. In other words, the digital television broadcast receiver 100 controls the title bar indicating the presence of the content to be reproduced to be hidden.

  Further, in response to the input of the release password for releasing the output restriction of the content list, the digital television broadcast receiver 100 releases the output restriction or temporarily releases the title bar controlled to be hidden. It can be displayed or displayed temporarily. That is, the user can confirm the display of the title bar and the like controlled to be hidden only by inputting the release password. Further, as described above, the digital television broadcast receiver 100 can temporarily cancel the output restriction and temporarily display the title bar controlled to be hidden, so that the user can resume the output restriction. The title bar that should be controlled to be non-displayed can be controlled to be non-displayed again by resuming the output restriction at the timing when the user wants to perform the control. Thus, even if the user forgets to reset the output restriction, the existence of the content that the user wants to hide is not known to another user.

  The module described above may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by software using a CPU or the like.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Digital television broadcast receiver, 14 ... Video display part, 15 ... Speaker, 16 ... Operation part, 17 ... Remote controller, 18 ... Light-receiving part, 19 ... Memory card, 21 ... LAN terminal, 22 ... HDMI terminal, 24 ... USB terminal, 47 ... antenna, 48 ... input terminal, 49 ... tuner, 50 ... PSK demodulation module, 51 ... signal processing module, 52 ... antenna, 53 ... input terminal, 54 ... tuner, 55 ... OFDM demodulation module, 56 ... Tuner 57 ... Analog demodulation module 58 ... Graphic processing module 59 ... Audio processing module 60a-60d ... Input terminal 61 ... OSD signal generation module 62 ... Video processing module 65 ... Control module 66 ... ROM 67 ... RAM, 68 ... nonvolatile memory, 69 ... card I / F, 0 ... card holder, 73 ... communication I / F, 74 ... HDMII / F, 76 ... USBI / F, 101 ... internal HDD

Claims (11)

Setting means for setting first restriction information for restricting viewing under the first age;
Detecting means for detecting second restriction information for restricting viewing under the second age from the content;
Information output restriction means for restricting output of content information indicating the presence of the content based on the first and second restriction information;
An information output device.   The information output device according to claim 1, wherein the information output restriction unit outputs a first content list that does not include the content information when the second age exceeds the first age.   The information output device according to claim 2, wherein the information output restriction unit outputs a second content list including the content information when the second age does not exceed the first age.   The information output device according to claim 3, further comprising a reproducing unit that reproduces the content in response to selection of the content information included in the second content list. Registration means for registering first release information for releasing the information output restriction;
Input means for inputting second release information;
With
5. The information according to claim 3, wherein the information output restriction unit releases the restriction on the output of the content information based on the coincidence of the first and second release information, and outputs the second content list. Output device.   The information output restriction unit outputs the second content list for a predetermined time based on the coincidence of the first and second release information, and stops outputting the second content list after a predetermined time has elapsed. The information output apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first content information is output.   The information output restriction unit outputs the second content list based on the coincidence of the first and second release information, and outputs the second content list in response to an output stop instruction of the list information. 7. The information output apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first content list is output in response to an instruction to output the list information after the output of the list information is stopped.   The information output restriction unit outputs the second content list based on the coincidence of the first and second release information, and corresponds to the selection of the content information included in the second content list 8. The information output device according to claim 5, wherein the first content list is output in response to an output instruction of list information after the content is reproduced.   The information output device according to claim 3, further comprising display means for displaying the first or second content list.   The information output device according to claim 1, further comprising recording means for recording the content based on a received signal. Set the first restriction information to restrict viewing under the first age,
Detect second restriction information that restricts viewing under the second age from the content,
An information output method for restricting output of content information indicating the presence of the content based on the first and second restriction information.

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