JP3837753B2 - Scramble broadcasting system, scramble method, scramble device, and descramble device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to a scramble broadcasting system, a scramble method, a scramble device, and a descramble device, for example, a scramble broadcast system, a scramble method, a scramble device, and a descramble device suitable for use in a pay broadcast system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In pay broadcasting, a broadcasting system called scramble broadcasting is often used. In this scrambled broadcast, the original signal is intentionally disrupted by a predetermined method on the broadcast station side, so that even if a person who is not contracted with the broadcast station receives the broadcast, normal images, sound, data, etc. It is to prevent it from being used. That is, the decoder of the person who has contracted with the broadcasting station is given a key signal for canceling this scramble, and the decoder scrambles the data scrambled to the original form by this key signal so that a normal image can be obtained. , Voice, data and so on. The case where the contract is made on a channel basis is called flat, and the case where the user is charged according to the program viewed is called pay per view. Among pay-per-views, even if the viewer suddenly wants to watch a predetermined program, those that can be viewed by simply performing a predetermined operation and that do not require prior contact are particularly called impulse pay-per-views.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As a method for controlling pay broadcasting, “Consultation No. 17“ Technical Conditions Related to Pay System in Television Broadcasting by Broadcasting Satellite ”” of “Report of the Telecommunications Technology Council” in 1988 is well known. However, in this Advisory No. 17 report, although a temporary framework of the above technical conditions is specified, a specific control procedure and a method for realizing impulse pay-per-view are not specified.
[0004]
In addition, for example, an effective method for preventing illegal viewing and a method of immediately collecting viewing information for a high-priced program such as a new movie or a title match have not been proposed.
[0005]
In recent years, video / audio compression techniques such as MPEG2 (Moving Picture Experts Group Phase 2) have been established, and digitized video / audio signals can be transmitted at a low bit rate. As a result, it has become possible to realize digital broadcasting in which multi-channel video / audio is multiplexed by a transmission line that transmits one channel of conventional analog broadcasting.
[0006]
However, the above No. 17 report has been studied for conventional analog broadcasting, and has a problem in that it is not suitable for multi-channel control.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and even a program without a viewing contract can be viewed with a pay-per-view with a simple operation, thereby suppressing unauthorized viewing. At the same time, quick viewing information can be collected.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In the scrambled broadcasting system of the present invention, the scrambled program is charged according to the first type of program that is contracted in units of channels and the program that is viewed, and is charged at a predetermined cycle. Billing is performed according to the two types of programs and the programs that have been viewed, and the billing process is performed at the time after the contract request from the viewer on the receiving terminal side even before the provision time in a predetermined cycle. The broadcast supply side scrambles the program.And output a scrambled programScramble means toBy scramble meansAn encryption means for encrypting scramble information for descrambling the scrambled program;By encryption meansEncrypted scramble information and program type information indicating the type of program are added to the programAnd output multiplexed programsAdding means for decoding, and decryption information for decrypting the scramble information encrypted by the encryption meansThe decoding information assigned to the third type program is different from the decoding information assigned to the first type program and the second type program.And output means for outputting predetermined contract information corresponding to the contract form, decryption information from the output means, supply means for supplying the contract information to the receiving terminal, and viewing information provided from the receiving terminal side Charging means for performing a charging process, and the receiving terminal stores the decryption information from the broadcast supply side, the storage means for storing the contract information, and the broadcast supply sideMultiplexedprogramEncrypted fromExtraction means for extracting scramble information and program type information;Encrypted extracted by extraction meansDecoding means for decoding the scramble information based on the decoding information stored in the storage means; instruction means for the viewer to instruct which program among the scrambled programs is to be viewed;Extracted by extraction meansDetermining means for determining the type of program based on the program type information;Stored in storage meansThe type of the contract information identified by the program discriminating means instructed by the instructing meansIsWhen it is shown that the program can be viewed, the descrambling means for descrambling the program using the scramble information decoded by the decoding means, and the second type program is instructed by the instruction means The predetermined viewing information related to the program is provided to the billing means on the broadcast supply side at a predetermined cycle, and when the third type program is instructed by the instruction means, the predetermined viewing information related to the program is Providing means for providing to the billing means on the broadcast supply side at a time point before the provision time point according to the period.
[0010]
  pluralThird type of programIn addition,First type program and second type programUnlike the decoding information assigned to, the common decoding information can be assigned.
[0011]
  Multi-channelThird type of programIn addition,First type program and second type programUnlike the decoding information assigned to, the common decoding information can be assigned.
[0012]
  In the scrambled broadcasting system of the present invention, the scrambled program is charged according to the first type of program that is contracted in units of channels and the program that has been viewed, and is charged at a predetermined cycle. Billing is performed according to the second type of program and the program that has been viewed, and billing processing is performed at the time after the contract request from the viewer on the receiving terminal side, even before the provision point in a predetermined cycle. Scramble the program on the broadcast supply side.Scrambled program is outputThe scramble information for descrambling the scrambled program is encrypted, and the encrypted scramble information and the program type information indicating the program type are added to the program.Multiplexed programs are outputDecryption information for decrypting encrypted and scrambled informationThe decoding information assigned to the third type program is different from the decoding information assigned to the first type program and the second type program., And predetermined contract information corresponding to the contract form is output, the output decryption information and the contract information are supplied to the receiving terminal, and billing processing is performed based on the viewing information provided from the receiving terminal side. The terminal stores the decryption information and contract information from the broadcast supply side.MultiplexedprogramEncrypted fromScramble information and program type information are extracted,Extracted encryptedThe scramble information is decoded based on the decoding information stored in the storage means, and the viewer indicates which program among the scrambled programs is to be viewed,ExtractedBased on the program type information, the type of program is determined,RememberedThe contract information indicates the identified type of the indicated programIsWhen it is shown that the program can be viewed, the program is descrambled using the decoded scramble information, and when the second type of program is designated, predetermined viewing information related to the program is predetermined. When the third type program is instructed to the broadcast supply side at a predetermined period, predetermined viewing information related to the program is provided to the broadcast supply side at a time point before the provision time point according to the predetermined period. The
[0013]
  In the scramble apparatus of the present invention, the scrambled program is charged according to the first type of program that is contracted in units of channels and the program that is viewed, and the charging process is performed at a predetermined cycle. And a third type in which billing processing is performed at the time after the contract request from the viewer on the receiving terminal side, even before the provision time point in a predetermined cycle. And scramble the programAnd output a scrambled programScramble means toBy scramble meansAn encryption means for encrypting scramble information for descrambling the scrambled program;By encryption meansEncrypted scramble information and program type information indicating the type of program are added to the programAnd output multiplexed programsAdding means for decoding, and decryption information for decrypting the scramble information encrypted by the encryption meansThe decoding information assigned to the third type program is different from the decoding information assigned to the first type program and the second type program.Output means for outputting predetermined contract information corresponding to the contract form, decoding means from the output means, supply means for supplying the contract information to the receiving terminal, and viewing information of the program provided from the receiving terminal side And charging means for performing charging processing based on the charging process.
[0015]
  Different decoding information assigned to the first type program and the second type program may be assigned to a plurality of third type programs, and common decoding information may be assigned.
[0016]
  Different decoding information assigned to the first type program and the second type program can be assigned to the third type program of a plurality of channels, and common decoding information can be assigned.
[0017]
  According to the scramble method of the present invention, the scrambled program is charged according to the first type of program that is contracted in units of channels and the program that has been viewed, and the charging process is performed at a predetermined cycle. And a third type in which billing processing is performed at the time after the contract request from the viewer on the receiving terminal side, even before the provision time point in a predetermined cycle. And scramble the programAnd output a scrambled programScramble step to perform,In the scramble step processAn encryption step for encrypting scrambled information for descrambling the scrambled program;In the encryption step processEncrypted scramble information and program type information indicating the type of program are added to the programAnd output multiplexed programsAnd decryption information for decrypting the scramble information encrypted by the encryption step processingThe decoding information assigned to the third type program is different from the decoding information assigned to the first type program and the second type program., And an output step for outputting predetermined contract information corresponding to the contract form, a decoding step output in the process of the output step, a supply step for supplying the contract information to the receiving terminal, and a program provided from the receiving terminal side And a billing step for performing billing processing based on the viewing information.
[0018]
  In the scramble apparatus and method of the present invention, the scrambled program is charged according to the first type of program that is contracted in units of channels and the program that is viewed, and is charged at a predetermined cycle. The second type of program is charged according to the program that has been viewed and the billing process is performed at the time after the contract request from the viewer on the receiving terminal side, even before the provision time in a predetermined cycle. 3 types of programs and scramble the programsScrambled program is outputThe scramble information for descrambling the scrambled program is encrypted, and the encrypted scramble information and the program type information indicating the program type are added to the program.Multiplexed programs are outputDecryption information for decrypting encrypted and scrambled informationThe decoding information assigned to the third type program is different from the decoding information assigned to the first type program and the second type program., And predetermined contract information corresponding to the contract form is output, the output decryption information and contract information are supplied to the receiving terminal, and charging processing is performed based on the viewing information of the program provided from the receiving terminal side .
[0019]
  According to the descrambling apparatus of the present invention, the scrambled program is charged according to the first type of program that is contracted in units of channels and the program that is viewed, and the charging process is performed at a predetermined cycle. Billing is performed according to the two types of programs and the programs that have been viewed, and the billing process is performed at the time after the contract request from the viewer on the receiving terminal side even before the provision time in a predetermined cycle. Decryption information for decrypting encrypted scramble information for descrambling the scrambled program from the broadcast supply side.The decoding information assigned to the third type program is different from the decoding information assigned to the first type program and the second type program.Storage means for storing predetermined contract information corresponding to the contract form, and from the broadcast supply sideMultiplexedprogramEncrypted fromExtraction means for extracting scramble information and program type information;Encrypted extracted by extraction meansDecoding means for decoding the scramble information based on the decoding information stored in the storage means; instruction means for the viewer to instruct which program among the scrambled programs is to be viewed;Extracted by extraction meansDetermining means for determining the type of program based on program type information indicating the type of program added to the program;Stored in storage meansThe type of the contract information identified by the program discriminating means instructed by the instructing meansIsWhen it is shown that the program can be viewed, the descrambling means for descrambling the program using the scramble information decoded by the decoding means, and the second type program is instructed by the instruction means The predetermined viewing information related to the program is provided to the broadcast supply side at a predetermined cycle for billing, and when the third type program is instructed by the instruction means, the predetermined viewing information related to the program is provided. Providing means for providing the information to the broadcast supply side for billing at a time before the provision time in a predetermined cycle.
[0021]
  Different decoding information assigned to the first type program and the second type program may be assigned to a plurality of third type programs, and common decoding information may be assigned.
[0022]
  Different decoding information assigned to the first type program and the second type program can be assigned to the third type program of a plurality of channels, and common decoding information can be assigned.
[0023]
  According to the descrambling method of the present invention, the scrambled program is charged according to the first type of program that is contracted in units of channels and the program that has been viewed, and is charged at a predetermined cycle. Billing is performed according to the two types of programs and the programs that have been viewed, and the billing process is performed at the time after the contract request from the viewer on the receiving terminal side even before the provision time in a predetermined cycle. Decryption information for decrypting encrypted scramble information for descrambling the scrambled program from the broadcast supply side.The decoding information assigned to the third type program is different from the decoding information assigned to the first type program and the second type program., And a storage step for storing predetermined contract information corresponding to the contract form, and from the broadcast supply sideMultiplexedprogramEncrypted fromAn extraction step for extracting scramble information and program type information;Encrypted extracted in the process of extraction stepA decoding step for decoding the scramble information based on the decoding information stored in the process of the storage step; an instruction step for the viewer to instruct which program among the scrambled programs is to be viewed;Extracted in the processing of the extraction stepA determination step for determining the type of the program based on the program type information indicating the type of the program added to the program;Memorized in memory step processingThe type in which the contract information is identified in the process in the program identification step instructed in the instruction stepIsWhen it is shown that the program can be viewed, a descrambling step for descrambling the program using the scramble information decoded in the decoding step process and a second type program in the instruction step process are instructed. In such a case, the predetermined viewing information related to the program is provided to the broadcast supply side at a predetermined cycle for billing, and when the third type program is instructed in the instruction step processing, A providing step of providing predetermined viewing information related to the program to the broadcast supply side for billing at a time point before the provision time point according to a predetermined period.
[0024]
  In the descrambling apparatus and method of the present invention, the scrambled program is charged according to the first type of program for which a contract is made on a channel-by-channel basis and the program that has been viewed, and is charged at a predetermined cycle. Charged according to the second type of program to be performed and the program that was viewed, and charging processing is performed at the time after the contract request from the viewer on the receiving terminal side, even before the provision time in a predetermined cycle Decryption information for decrypting the encrypted scramble information for descrambling the scrambled program from the broadcast supply side.The decoding information assigned to the third type program is different from the decoding information assigned to the first type program and the second type program., And predetermined contract information corresponding to the contract form is stored, from the broadcast supply sideMultiplexedprogramEncrypted fromScramble information and program type information are extracted,Extracted encryptedThe scramble information is decoded based on the decode information stored in the process of the storage step, and the viewer indicates which program among the scrambled programs is to be viewed,ExtractedBased on the program type information indicating the type of program added to the program, the type of program is determined,RememberedThe contract information indicates the identified type of the indicated programIsIf it indicates that the program can be viewed, the program is descrambled using the decoded scramble information, and when a second type of program is indicated, the predetermined viewing information regarding the program is For billing, provided to the broadcast supply side at a predetermined cycle, and when a third type program is instructed, the predetermined viewing information related to the program is at a point in time before the provision point in the predetermined cycle. , Provided to the broadcast supply side for billing.
[0028]
【Example】
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a pay broadcast system to which the present invention is applied. The encoder 1 of the transmission side system digitizes and compresses video signals and audio signals. The multiplexer 2 (addition means) time-division multiplexes a plurality of encoder outputs and a plurality of related information. Here, the related information refers to “program information” including information related to a program and a scramble key for descrambling, contract information for each subscriber (viewer) (for example, a contract form such as flat or pay-per-view), and common information. It shall consist of “individual information” including a contract key for decryption.
[0029]
The scrambler 3 selectively scrambles a predetermined output signal from the multiplexer 2 with a scramble key from a related information transmission device 4 (encryption means) described later.
[0030]
  Scramble control system 6 (output means,SupplyThe means) supplies the contract key to the related information transmitting apparatus 4, encrypts the contract key with the individual key unique to the receiving terminal, and supplies it to the multiplexer 2 as a part of the individual information.
[0031]
The related information transmission device 4 supplies the scramble key to the scrambler 3 and encrypts the scramble key with the contract key supplied from the scramble control system 6, and the multiplexer 2 as a part of the common information (program information). It is made to supply to.
[0032]
The program control system 5 generates a predetermined control signal and controls the encoder 1 according to the program. That is, it controls the digitization and compression method. Also, the program ID of the program encoded by the encoder 1 and the channel ID of the corresponding channel are generated and supplied to the related information transmitting device 4. The viewing information collection processing system 7 processes viewing information (for example, a channel ID corresponding to a viewed program and a viewing time) uplinked from a large number of receiving terminals and a contract request from the viewer, as contract information. The scramble control system 6 is supplied.
[0033]
  On the other hand, the decoder 8 (extraction means) of the receiving terminal uses a built-in descrambler to perform a security module 9 (storage means, determination means,DescrambleThe scrambled signal is descrambled to the original signal by the scramble key supplied from the means and the provision means. Also, individual information and program information added to the program are extracted and output.
[0034]
The security module 9 is composed of, for example, an IC card, stores an individual key unique to the terminal, takes in the unscrambled individual information supplied via the decoder 8, decrypts the individual information with the individual key, The contract information is retrieved and stored. Further, common information accompanying the program supplied via the decoder 8 is fetched, the common information is decrypted with the contract key, a scramble key is taken out, and supplied to the decoder 8.
[0035]
Next, the operation will be described. First, an operation when individual information is transmitted from the transmission side system to the reception terminal will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the individual information includes a contract key number corresponding to the contract key, a contract key, a channel ID corresponding to the contracted channel, a contract type, and the like. The individual information also includes information corresponding to the ID number of the destination receiving terminal.
[0036]
The contract key is transmitted together with, for example, an 8-bit contract key number so that a plurality of contract keys can be used properly. The contracted channel ID is represented by, for example, 16-bit Service_id. The contract type can identify flat, pay-per-view, and special contract, and is 4 bits, for example.
[0037]
This individual information is encrypted in the scramble control system 6 by using a specific key unique to the receiving terminal to which the individual information is to be transmitted. The scramble control system 6 stores, for all receiving terminals, an individual key unique to the receiving terminal corresponding to the ID number of the receiving terminal, and searches for the individual key from the ID number of the receiving terminal of the transmission destination. Can be done. Accordingly, the individual key corresponding to the ID number of the destination receiving terminal is searched, and the individual information is encrypted based on the retrieved key. The encrypted individual information is supplied to the multiplexer 2.
[0038]
In the multiplexer 2, the digitized and compressed video signal and audio signal corresponding to the predetermined program supplied from the encoder 1 and the individual information supplied from the scramble control system 6 are time-division multiplexed. , Supplied to the scrambler 3. Only the program portion of the digital signal supplied to the scrambler 3 is scrambled using the scramble key supplied from the related information sending device 4, and the individual information portion is sent to the transmission line 10 without being scrambled.
[0039]
The transmission of the individual information to the receiving terminal is performed as needed when the individual information needs to be updated. This individual information includes the contract information described above.
[0040]
Next, an operation when a normal program and program information added thereto (components of common information) are transmitted from the transmission side system to the reception terminal will be described.
[0041]
For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the program information includes a contract type, a contract key number indicating a contract key number, an encrypted scramble key, a Service_id corresponding to a channel ID, a program ID for identifying a program, and the like. It is out. Further, the contract type includes a flag for identifying whether or not the program is a special program.
[0042]
The predetermined program information having the above-described configuration generated in the related information transmitting device 4 is encrypted with the contract key supplied from the scramble control system 6 and then supplied to the multiplexer 2. In the multiplexer 2, the digitized and compressed video signal and audio signal corresponding to the predetermined program supplied from the encoder 1 and the program information supplied from the related information transmitting device 4 are time-division multiplexed. Supplied to the scrambler 3.
[0043]
In the scrambler 3, a compressed video signal or audio signal constituting the program supplied thereto and a digital signal in which program information is time-division multiplexed are divided into program parts by the scramble key supplied from the related information sending device 4. Only the program information part is sent to the transmission line 10 without being scrambled.
[0044]
In this way, a predetermined program and program information associated therewith are transmitted from the transmitting system to the receiving terminal.
[0045]
Next, the operation on the receiving terminal side will be described.
[0046]
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a principle operation in the case where viewing permission control is performed in the receiving terminal. The decoder 8 includes, for example, a descrambler 21, a second decoder 22 (decoding means), and a first decoder 23.
[0047]
The individual information is transmitted to the receiving terminal of the viewer who has formally contracted. When a receiving terminal receives a scrambled predetermined program transmitted via the transmission path 10 and a digital signal in which individual information not scrambled is time-division multiplexed from the transmission side system, the scrambled program is received. A digital signal corresponding to is supplied to the descrambler 21.
[0048]
On the other hand, the individual information that has not been scrambled is first compared with the ID number of the receiving terminal added to the non-encrypted part and the ID number of the receiving terminal stored in advance in the security module 9, and the two match. In the case, it is supplied to the first decoder 23.
[0049]
The individual information supplied to the first decoder 23 is decrypted with the individual key unique to the receiving terminal stored in the security module 9, the contract key and the contract information are extracted, supplied to the security module 9, and stored. Is done. This contract key is used for decoding program information to be described later. The contract information is used when determining whether or not the received program is a contracted program.
[0050]
When the viewer is watching the program at the receiving terminal, the receiving terminal receives the scrambled predetermined program transmitted through the transmission path 10 and the program information associated therewith. A digital signal corresponding to the scrambled predetermined program is supplied to the descrambler 21, and program information associated therewith is supplied to the second decoder 22.
[0051]
When the contract key corresponding to the channel of the predetermined program is extracted from the individual information already decrypted by the first decryptor 23 and stored in the security module 9 as described above, the second decryptor 22 The program information is decrypted by the contract key supplied from the security module 9. After the program information is decrypted, the scramble key included in the program information is extracted.
[0052]
Next, the program information is read by the security module 9 and collated with the contract information already stored. As a result, when it is recognized that the program to which the program information is added is a contracted program, the scramble key obtained in the second decoder 22 is supplied to the descrambler 21. In the descrambler 21, the scrambled digital signal of the predetermined program is descrambled by the scramble key supplied from the second decoder 22, returned to the original signal that can be normally viewed, and then output. .
[0053]
When a predetermined channel is contracted in a flat state, individual information including contract information corresponding to the contracted channel and Service_id corresponding to the channel, contract information including contract type, etc. is transmitted from the transmitting system to the receiving terminal. Is stored in the security module 9. If there are a large number of channels to be contracted, the above-described procedure is repeatedly executed.
[0054]
In the case of flat viewing, Service_id in the program information accompanying the received program is stored in the security module 9, and the contract key indicated by the contract key number in the program information is stored in the security module 9, and When the contract type corresponding to Service_id is flat, the program information is decrypted by the second decoder 22, the obtained scramble key is supplied to the descrambler 21, and the descrambler 21 operates. As a result, video and audio in which a predetermined program is normally descrambled can be obtained, and the program can be viewed.
[0055]
In the case of a pay-per-view contract, when a contract is made, a contract key corresponding to the contracted channel, Service_id corresponding to the channel, and individual information including the contract type are transmitted from the transmitting system to the receiving terminal, and the security module 9 is connected via the decoder 8. To be stored and stored. If there are many channels to subscribe to, this procedure will be repeated.
[0056]
Even if you have a flat contract, when you want to be able to view a pay-per-view operation when viewing a special program with a large amount of money, you can use the receiving system to allow the receiving terminal to view the special program. The individual information including the contract key, the Service_id corresponding to the channel of the special program, and the contract type indicating the special contract are transmitted. This individual information is supplied to and stored in the security module 9. This procedure is repeated when there are many special programs and individual contract keys are assigned to them.
[0057]
High-priced special programs are often requested by program suppliers to promptly charge for viewing fees and to quickly collect audience ratings. In the normal pay-per-view method, for example, monthly viewing information is collected from the security module 9 on the receiving terminal side, and a monthly pay-per-view fee is calculated from the result. Therefore, it is not possible to quickly collect viewing fees for special programs.
[0058]
Therefore, this special program is preliminarily made only for the viewer who has previously notified the transmitting system that he / she wishes to view a predetermined special program by telephone contact or operating the receiving terminal. Send the corresponding contract key. As a result, the viewer who has made prior contact can view the special program by performing the same operation as in the pay-per-view. In this case, since the transmission side system recognizes the viewer who has made prior contact, it is possible to quickly grasp the audience rating and to promptly perform billing processing for these people. In addition, since the contract key is transmitted only to the viewer who has made prior contact, the possibility that the contract key is illegally decrypted can be reduced.
[0059]
On the other hand, since the viewer who has not made prior contact has not received the contract key for viewing the special program from the transmission side system, the viewer cannot view the special program.
[0060]
Even if a special program is requested to be viewed by prior notice, it can be canceled by contacting the sending system before the program starts. For example, when the viewer notifies the sending system of cancellation of an application for viewing a predetermined special program by telephone contact or operation of the receiving terminal, the sending system receives a special message based on this contact from the viewer. In order to delete the contract key for the program, the individual information including the predetermined information is transmitted again to the receiving terminal on the viewer side via the transmission path 10.
[0061]
For example, a dedicated flag indicating cancellation of reservation may be prepared in the individual information, but the value 000000000000000000 (hexadecimal number) is set in the contract key in the individual information, and this is assigned for cancellation. It is also possible to use it. In this case, the transmitting side system transmits individual information as shown in FIG. 5 to the receiving terminal. When the receiving terminal receives the individual information from the transmission side system, the receiving terminal recognizes that the value set in the contract key therein is 000000000000000000 (hexadecimal number), and can view the predetermined program corresponding to the contract key number. In addition to recognizing the cancellation by the viewer, the contract key number and the contract key corresponding to the contract key number already stored in the security module 9 are deleted.
[0062]
Accordingly, even when a special program is transmitted, the contract key number in the program information transmitted together with the special program and the contract key corresponding to the contract key number do not exist in the security module 9, and the reception of the viewer The terminal cannot descramble this special program, and the viewer cannot view the special program.
[0063]
If advance notification requesting viewing of a predetermined program is requested from a large number of viewers to the transmission side system at the same time, there is a possibility that the reception processing of the transmission side system may not be in time by the start time of the program. In addition, when a large number of applications are generated immediately before the start of the program in this way, it is necessary to transmit a large number of individual information in a short time, and there is a possibility that the start time of the program may not be in time.
[0064]
Therefore, a special program contract key is included in advance in individual information and transmitted to not only viewers who have made prior contact but also to other viewers, that is, all viewers. Like that. The receiving terminal that has received the individual information stores the contract key of the special program in the security module 9 together with the contract key number. Therefore, all receiving terminals that have received the special program already store the contract key corresponding to the contract key number of the special program in the security module 9.
[0065]
On the other hand, on the receiving terminal side, when the viewer makes a prior contact by operating the receiving terminal, the information that the prior contact has been made is stored in the security module 9 together with the applied channel ID and program ID. To keep. When the special program is received, the receiving terminal recognizes that it is a special program by the contract type in the program information transmitted together with the special program. In this case, the contract key corresponding to the contract key number of the special program is already stored in the security module 9, but if the receiving terminal is a special program, the channel stored together with the information that prior contact has been made It is determined whether or not the ID and the program ID match Service_id and the program ID in the program information, respectively, and only when they match, the descrambler 21 is descrambled to descramble the transmitted special program. Supply the scramble key in the program information. As a result, only the viewer who has made prior contact can view the special program.
[0066]
As a result, even if the application is inundated immediately before the start of the program, there is no need to send a large number of individual information to the receiving terminal in a short time, and the inconvenience that the start time of the program is not in time can be eliminated. In addition, it is possible to promptly charge a viewer who has made prior contact.
[0067]
Here, when the viewer cancels the reservation for viewing the program, that is, when the cancellation of the reservation for the predetermined program is instructed by operating the reception terminal, the reception terminal receives a predetermined signal corresponding to the reservation cancellation. Is transmitted to the transmission side system via the telephone line 11, and the channel ID and the program ID of the reserved program already stored in the security module 9 are deleted. This makes it impossible for the receiving terminal to view the program whose reservation has been canceled.
[0068]
In multi-channel digital broadcasting, when there are many special programs as described above, it is possible to assign different contract keys to each other, but in this case, the transmission side system transmits to the receiving terminal. The number of individual information to be increased. Thus, by using a common contract key for a plurality of special programs, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of individual information transmitted to the receiving terminal. Further, it is possible to shorten the time required until all necessary individual information is taken into the security module 9 and stored.
[0069]
In addition, an increase in the number of individual information can be suppressed by assigning a common contract key to a plurality of special programs even between a plurality of channels. In this case, since the channel ID cannot be specified, for example, a value 0000 (hexadecimal number) indicating unspecified is assigned to the Service_id transmitted together with the contract key. On the receiving terminal side, the contract key in which the value 0000 (hexadecimal) is set in Service_id is used for the special program having the corresponding contract key number regardless of the channel ID.
[0070]
The necessary individual information is captured in advance and stored in the security modules 9 of all the receiving terminals, and then the program can be viewed. However, the flow may vary depending on the viewing mode. As described above, the program information transmitted along with the program includes the encrypted scramble key, the contract key number indicating the contract key number corresponding to the encrypted scramble key, the Service_id corresponding to the channel ID, and the special program. A flag (included in the contract type) for identifying whether or not is included.
[0071]
Next, a method for performing viewing control by changing the form of transmitting the contract key for decrypting the scramble key according to the viewing form will be described.
[0072]
In the case of flat viewing, Service_id in the program information accompanying the received program is stored in the security module 9, and the contract key indicated by the contract key number in the program information is stored in the security module 9. When the contract type corresponding to Service_id is flat, the scramble key is decrypted and supplied to the descrambler 21 to operate the descrambler 21. The descrambler 21 descrambles the scrambled video / audio signal corresponding to a predetermined program supplied from the transmission system, obtains the original video / audio signal, and enables viewing of the program.
[0073]
For pay-per-view viewing, Service_id in the program information associated with the received program is stored in the security module 9, and the contract key indicated by the contract key number in the program information is stored in the security module 9. When the contract type corresponding to Service_id is pay-per-view, it is possible to view the program by performing a pay-per-view operation such as pressing a “pay confirmation” button 12 (instruction means) provided on the receiving terminal. it can.
[0074]
When a pay-per-view operation is performed, a viewing history including, for example, the channel ID, program ID, viewing time, and the like of the viewed program is stored in the security module 9 each time. The viewing information stored in the security module 9 is transmitted to the transmitting system via the telephone line 11 at predetermined intervals, for example, every month. The transmission side system performs a charging process for each reception terminal based on the viewing information transmitted from the reception terminal.
[0075]
In the case of special program viewing, Service_id in the program information accompanying the received program is stored in the security module 9, and the contract key indicated by the contract key number in the program information is stored in the security module 9. If the contract type in the program information indicates that the program is a special program, that is, if a flag indicating that the program is a special program is set, the same operation as in the pay-per-view described above is performed. Thus, it is possible to view a special program. In this case, the Service_id corresponding to the special program, the contract key number, and the contract key corresponding to the Service_id corresponding to the special program are transmitted from the transmitting system to the receiving terminal and are already stored in the security module 9.
[0076]
In this way, even if there is no prior contact, the special program can be viewed by performing the same operation as in the pay-per-view. In this case, the viewing history is transmitted to the transmission system at a predetermined cycle, for example, every month, as in the case of normal pay-per-view. Therefore, in this case, even if the transmission side system is a special program, the billing process is performed at a predetermined cycle as in the case of a normal program.
[0077]
Also, when the special program is operated so that the special program is not viewed when there is no prior contact, the channel ID and the program ID in the program information associated with the received special program are stored in the security module 9 at the receiving terminal. It is determined whether or not the channel ID and the program ID match each other. When it is determined that they do not match, the scramble key included in the program information is not supplied to the descrambler 21. As a result, the special program cannot be viewed.
[0078]
On the other hand, if it is determined that the channel ID and program ID in the program information associated with the received special program match the channel ID and program ID stored in the security module 9, they are included in the program information. Control is performed so that the scramble key is supplied to the descrambler 21. As a result, this special program can be viewed.
[0079]
Here, the channel ID and the program ID stored in the security module 9 are stored when the viewer applies for a reservation for viewing a predetermined special program in advance by operating the receiving terminal. is there. At that time, a signal corresponding to the advance application is also transmitted to the transmission side system. Therefore, in the transmission side system, it is possible to carry out a prompt charging process for the prior contact person.
[0080]
When sharing a contract key for a special program among a plurality of channels, the above-mentioned special program viewing is not stored in the security module 9 without Service_id in the program information accompanying the program received by the receiving terminal. When the contract key corresponding to the contract key number is stored in the security module 9 and the flag indicating the special program is set in the contract type in the program information, the same operation as in the pay-per-view is performed. By doing so, a special program can be viewed.
[0081]
As described above, according to the present invention, control of call-ahead pay-per-view that enables viewing only for flat, impulse pay-per-view, special programs, and pre-applicants is possible according to the contract key, Service_id, and contract-type transmission forms. It becomes possible to do it uniformly.
[0082]
In the above embodiment, the individual information is supplied to the receiving terminal by broadcast radio waves. However, the individual information is transmitted to the receiving terminal via a telephone line or by an IC card or other recording medium. It is also possible.
[0083]
In the above embodiment, the transmission line 10 is described as a broadcast wave. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an optical fiber cable or other transmission medium can be used.
[0084]
Furthermore, in the above embodiment, as an example, 4 bits are assigned to the contract type, 8 bits are assigned to the contract key number, 64 bits are assigned to the contract key and the scramble key, and 16 bits are assigned to the Service_id and the program ID. The present invention is not limited, and any other arbitrary number of bits can be assigned.
[0085]
  According to the present invention,Regardless of the contract form, a predetermined special program can be broadcast and viewed in pay-per-view. In addition, by preserving viewing of a program in advance, the broadcast supply side can quickly collect viewing information. Furthermore, it is possible to suppress unauthorized viewing by supplying the decryption information only to those who have reserved viewing of the program.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a pay broadcasting system to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a part of individual information.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a part of program information.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the principle of operation of a receiving terminal.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a part of individual information transmitted when a program is canceled.
[Explanation of symbols]
  1 Encoder
  2Multiplexer
  3 Scrambler
  4Related information sending device
  5 Program control system
  6Scramble control system
  7 Viewing information collection processing system
  8decoder
  9Security module
  10 Transmission path
  11 Telephone line
  21Descrambler
  22 Second decoder
  23 First decoder

Claims (11)

In a scramble broadcasting system that receives a scrambled program of a predetermined channel transmitted from a broadcast supply side at a receiving terminal on the viewer side and descrambles the received program,
The scrambled program includes a first type of program that is contracted in units of channels, a second type of program that is charged according to the viewed program and that is charged at a predetermined cycle, and A third type of program that is charged according to the program that is viewed and that is charged at the time after the contract request from the viewer on the receiving terminal side, even before the provision time of the predetermined period. Including
The broadcast supply side
Scrambling means for scrambling the program and outputting the scrambled program ;
Encryption means for encrypting the scramble information for descrambling the scrambled the program by the scrambling means,
Adding means for outputting the multiplexed program by adding the scramble information encrypted by the encryption means and the program type information indicating the type of the program to the program ;
Decryption information for decrypting the scramble information encrypted by the encryption means, and decryption information assigned to the third type program is included in the first type program and the second type program. Output means for outputting decryption information different from the assigned decryption information and predetermined contract information corresponding to the contract form;
Supply means for supplying the decryption information from the output means and the contract information to the receiving terminal;
Charging means for performing charging processing based on viewing information provided from the receiving terminal side,
The receiving terminal is
Storage means for storing the decryption information from the broadcast supply side and contract information;
Extracting means for extracting the scrambled information encrypted from the multiplexed program from the broadcast supply side and the program type information;
Decryption means for decrypting the encrypted scramble information extracted by the extraction means based on the decryption information stored in the storage means;
An instruction means for the viewer to instruct which of the scrambled programs to view;
Determining means for determining the type of the program based on the program type information extracted by the extracting means ;
If the contract information stored in the storage means, a type discriminated by said discriminating means of the program which is instructed indicates that it is possible to view the program by said instruction means, said decoding said program Descrambling means for descrambling using the scramble information decoded by the means;
When the second type program is instructed by the instruction unit, predetermined viewing information regarding the program is provided to the billing unit on the broadcast supply side at a predetermined cycle, and the third unit is provided by the instruction unit. Providing means for providing predetermined viewing information related to the program to the billing means on the broadcast supply side at a time prior to the provision time according to the predetermined period when a program of this type is instructed A scrambled broadcast system. The decoding information that is different from the decoding information that is assigned to the first type of program and the second type of program and that is common to the plurality of third type programs is assigned to the plurality of third type programs. Item 2. The scramble broadcasting system according to Item 1. The decoding information that is different from the decoding information assigned to the first type program and the second type program and is assigned to the third type program of a plurality of channels is characterized in that: The scramble broadcasting system according to claim 1. In a scramble device for transmitting a scrambled program of a predetermined channel to a receiving terminal on the viewer side,
The scrambled program includes a first type of program that is contracted in units of channels, a second type of program that is charged according to the viewed program and that is charged in a predetermined cycle, and A third type of program that is charged according to the program that is viewed and that is charged at the time after the contract request from the viewer on the receiving terminal side, even before the provision time of the predetermined period. Including
Scrambling means for scrambling the program and outputting the scrambled program ;
Encryption means for encrypting the scramble information for descrambling the scrambled the program by the scrambling means,
Adding means for outputting the multiplexed program by adding the scramble information encrypted by the encryption means and the program type information indicating the type of the program to the program ;
Decryption information for decrypting the scramble information encrypted by the encryption means, and decryption information assigned to the third type program is included in the first type program and the second type program. Output means for outputting decryption information different from the assigned decryption information and predetermined contract information corresponding to the contract form;
Supply means for supplying the decryption information from the output means and the contract information to the receiving terminal;
A scrambler comprising: billing means for performing billing processing based on viewing information of the program provided from the receiving terminal side. The decoding information that is different from the decoding information that is assigned to the first type of program and the second type of program and that is common to the plurality of third type programs is assigned to the plurality of third type programs. Item 5. The scrambler according to Item 4. The decoding information that is different from the decoding information assigned to the first type program and the second type program and is assigned to the third type program of a plurality of channels is characterized in that: The scramble apparatus according to claim 4. In a scramble method of transmitting a scrambled program of a predetermined channel to a receiving terminal on the viewer side,
The scrambled program includes a first type of program that is contracted in units of channels, a second type of program that is charged according to the viewed program and that is charged in a predetermined cycle, and A third type of program that is charged according to the program that is viewed and that is charged at the time after the contract request from the viewer on the receiving terminal side, even before the provision time of the predetermined period. Including
Scrambling to scramble the program and output a scrambled program ;
An encryption step of encrypting the scramble information for descrambling the scrambled the program in the processing of the scrambling step,
An adding step of outputting the multiplexed program by adding the scramble information encrypted in the process of the encryption step and the program type information indicating the type of the program to the program ;
Decryption information for decrypting the scramble information encrypted in the process of the encryption step, and decryption information assigned to the third type program includes the first type program and the second type program. An output step for outputting decryption information that is different from the decryption information assigned to the program , and predetermined contract information corresponding to the contract form;
A supply step of supplying the decryption information output in the processing of the output step and the contract information to the receiving terminal;
A scramble method comprising: a charging step of performing a charging process based on viewing information of the program provided from the receiving terminal side. In a descrambling device that receives a scrambled program of a predetermined channel transmitted from a broadcast supply side by a receiving terminal on the viewer side and descrambles the received program,
The scrambled program includes a first type of program that is contracted in units of channels, a second type of program that is charged according to the viewed program and that is charged at a predetermined cycle, and A third type of program that is charged according to the program that is viewed and that is charged at the time after the contract request from the viewer on the receiving terminal side, even before the provision time of the predetermined period. Including
Decryption information for decrypting encrypted scramble information for descrambling the scrambled program from the broadcast supply side, the decryption information assigned to the third type of program being the first type Storage means for storing decryption information that is different from the decryption information assigned to the program of the first type and the program of the second type , and predetermined contract information corresponding to the contract form;
Extracting means for extracting the scrambled information encrypted from the multiplexed program from the broadcast supply side and the program type information;
Decryption means for decrypting the encrypted scramble information extracted by the extraction means based on the decryption information stored in the storage means;
An instruction means for the viewer to instruct which of the scrambled programs to view;
Determining means for determining the type of the program based on program type information indicating the type of the program added to the program extracted by the extracting means ;
If the contract information stored in the storage means, a type discriminated by said discriminating means of the program which is instructed indicates that it is possible to view the program by said instruction means, said decoding said program Descrambling means for descrambling using the scramble information decoded by the means;
When the second type program is instructed by the instruction means, predetermined viewing information relating to the program is provided to the broadcast supply side at a predetermined cycle for billing, and the instruction means Providing means for providing predetermined viewing information relating to the program to the broadcast supply side for billing at a time before the provision time according to the predetermined period when a third type of program is instructed; A descrambling device comprising: The decoding information that is different from the decoding information that is assigned to the first type of program and the second type of program and that is common to the plurality of third type programs is assigned to the plurality of third type programs. Item 9. A descrambling apparatus according to Item 8. The decoding information that is different from the decoding information assigned to the first type program and the second type program and is assigned to the third type program of a plurality of channels is characterized in that: The descrambling apparatus according to claim 8. In a descrambling method of receiving a scrambled program of a predetermined channel transmitted from a broadcast supply side by a receiving terminal on a viewer side and descrambling the received program,
The scrambled program includes a first type of program that is contracted in units of channels, a second type of program that is charged according to the viewed program and that is charged at a predetermined cycle, and A third type of program that is charged according to the program that is viewed and that is charged at the time after the contract request from the viewer on the receiving terminal side, even before the provision time of the predetermined period. Including
Decryption information for decrypting encrypted scramble information for descrambling the scrambled program from the broadcast supply side, the decryption information assigned to the third type of program being the first type A storage step for storing decryption information that is different from decryption information assigned to a program of one type and a program of a second type , and predetermined contract information corresponding to a contract form;
An extraction step of extracting the scrambled information encrypted from the multiplexed program from the broadcast supply side and the program type information;
A decryption step of decrypting the encrypted scramble information extracted in the process of the extraction step based on the decryption information stored in the process of the storage step;
An instruction step for the viewer to instruct which of the scrambled programs to watch;
A determination step of determining the type of the program based on program type information indicating the type of the program added to the program extracted in the process of the extraction step;
If the said contract information stored in the processing storage step, the type is determined by the processing determination step of the program which is instructed by the processing of the instruction step indicate that it is possible to view the program, A descrambling step for descrambling the program using the scramble information decoded in the decoding step;
When the second type of program is instructed in the process of the instructing step, predetermined viewing information regarding the program is provided to the broadcast supply side at a predetermined period for billing, and the instructing step When the third type of program is instructed in the process, predetermined viewing information related to the program is provided to the broadcast supply side for billing at a time prior to the provision time according to the predetermined period. And a providing step. A descrambling method comprising:

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