JP5468858B2 - Remote control device, content viewing system, control method for remote control device, control program for remote control device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote control device used for a television receiver capable of receiving a video program or the like, a set top box for IPTV, a set top box for cable television, or the like, and a content viewing system including the remote control device. The present invention relates to a control method for a remote control device and a control program for the remote control device.

  In television receivers, set-top boxes (STB) for IPTV (Internet Protocol TeleVision), STBs for cable television, and the like that can use an EPG (Electronic Program Guide) are widely used. . At that time, even if the EPG is displayed on the television receiver, the number of programs in recent IPTV, cable television, etc. becomes enormous, and it is not possible to list all of them in the program table, and the screen scrolls repeatedly. In many cases, it is necessary to input a search keyword, and it is not easy for a user to search for a desired program. Therefore, a program table corresponding to the analysis result of the viewing time (for example, Patent Document 1) and the preference situation (for example, Patent Document 2) of a program selected by a user with a remote control such as a television receiver in the past is stored in the TV receiver. it's shown. Then, the user selects a desired program from the program table edited for each user with the horizontal axis as the channel and the vertical axis as the broadcast time, and views or schedules recording.

  On the other hand, products that use an infrared light emitting element provided in a mobile phone terminal and can use the mobile phone terminal as a remote control for a television receiver or the like are already on the market, and proposals relating to this have been made (for example, patent Reference 3). When a mobile phone terminal is used as a remote control for a television receiver or the like, program information is acquired using a mobile phone communication line, and a program guide is displayed on the display screen of the mobile phone terminal. Then, by selecting a desired program from the displayed program guide, a remote control signal for viewing and reservation of the corresponding program is output from the mobile phone terminal.

Japanese Patent No. 4159744 JP 2008-005225 A JP 2005-150831 A

  However, when watching TV while doing something like “watching while”, which is one of the features of TV watching forms in recent years, when watching the watching time as assumed in Patent Document 1 There are few cases where the complexity of the operation of searching for a desired program may not change so much in recombination of the program display based on the viewing time. Moreover, the viewer does not want to select a channel but selects a desired program, and there is no need to stick to the program table along the channel axis and the time axis as in Patent Document 2. .

  Further, when using a mobile phone terminal as in Patent Document 3, a receiving device (TV receiver, STB, etc.) to be operated by a remote controller and application software (hereinafter referred to as a mobile app) operating on the mobile phone terminal. It was difficult to use because it was necessary to set the remote control directivity in advance. Furthermore, as shown in Patent Document 3, it is preferable to display thumbnails of all programs on a mobile phone terminal and select a desired program at hand. However, in order to realize the thumbnail display, a TV reception function is incorporated. A mobile phone terminal is assumed, and although it is a thumbnail display, it is difficult to display a list of all programs on the mobile phone terminal. In addition, it is easier for the user to use the remote control device attached to the reception device than to activate the mobile phone remote control application and use it as a remote control device.

  In addition to these broadcasts, VOD (Video On Demand) has become a so-called long-tailed content, and a lot of content that is unlikely to be viewed is prepared, and the number of content that can be viewed is enormous. . Therefore, it is difficult to search for the content desired by the user, regardless of which conventional method is used.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a remote control device, a content viewing system, a control method for a remote control device, and a control program for the remote control device that allow a user to easily select desired content.

  The present invention proposes the following matters in order to solve the above problems. In addition, in order to make an understanding easy, although the code | symbol corresponding to embodiment of this invention is attached | subjected and demonstrated, it is not limited to this.

(1) The present invention is a remote control device (300) used in a content receiving device (200) capable of receiving a plurality of contents, and a user authentication extracting means (301) for identifying and authenticating a user, User information, which is information related to the user authenticated by the user authentication extracting means, is transmitted to an external recommendation server (600), and is information related to content, and is sent from the recommendation server according to the user information. A communication means (302) for receiving the transmitted content information, a display means (303) for displaying the content information obtained by the communication means, and a user among the content information displayed on the display means The operation means (303) capable of operating and inputting the content to be selected, and the content selected by the operation input by the operating means. Remote control signal transmitting means (304) for transmitting a remote control signal to the external content receiving device according to the message, and collecting the usage status for each user and transmitting the usage status to the recommendation server via the communication means. Use status collecting means (307) for providing a comment sending history collecting means (307d) for collecting a history of the user sending comments to the outside regarding the content viewed by the user. Including a remote control device characterized in that

According to the present invention, the user authentication extraction unit identifies and authenticates the user. The communication means transmits user information, which is information related to the user authenticated by the user authentication extraction means, to an external recommendation server, and is information related to the content and is sent from the recommendation server according to the user information. Receive content information. The display means displays the content information obtained by the communication means. The operation unit enables operation input of content selected by the user from the content information displayed on the display unit. The remote control signal transmitting means transmits a remote control signal to an external content receiving apparatus according to the content selected by the operation input by the operating means. The usage status collection unit collects the usage status for each user and transmits the usage status to the recommendation server via the communication unit. The usage status collection unit includes a comment transmission history collection unit (307d) that collects a history of the user sending a comment to the outside regarding the content viewed by the user. Therefore, user information can be collected efficiently, and content information useful for users close to the user's preferences can be provided. Therefore, the user can easily select the desired content with the remote controller at hand without looking at the television receiver.

(2) The present invention proposes a remote control device (300) characterized in that in the remote control device according to (1), the communication means (302) communicates with the outside via a wireless communication line. .

  According to the present invention, the communication means communicates with the outside via the wireless communication line. Therefore, even if the content reception device is a reception-only device that does not transmit a signal to the outside, user information can be transmitted to the outside.

(3) The present invention proposes a remote control device according to (1), wherein the communication means communicates with the outside via the content receiving device.

  According to the present invention, the communication means communicates with the outside via the content receiving device. Therefore, the communication means provided in the remote control device can be simplified.

(4) According to the present invention, in the remote control device according to any one of (1) to (3), the usage status collection unit (307) collects a history of operations performed by the operation unit (303). Collection means (307a), viewing history collection means (307b) for collecting history of content viewed by the user, and history of user performing at least one of evaluation and evaluation voting regarding the content viewed by the user The remote control device (300) is characterized by including at least one of content evaluation voting history collection means for collecting .

According to the present invention, the usage status collection means includes an operation history collection means for collecting history operated by the operation means, a viewing history collection means for collecting history of content viewed by the user, and a user viewed. It includes at least one of content evaluation voting history collection means for collecting a history of the user performing at least one of evaluation and evaluation voting on the content . Therefore, the usage status of the user can be collected in detail and efficiently, and content information more useful to the user can be provided.

(5) The present invention provides the remote control device according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the operation means (303) includes a touch panel using the display means. 300).

  According to the present invention, the operation means includes a touch panel using display means. Therefore, the user can easily perform a content selection operation or the like with the remote controller at hand without looking at the television receiver, and the user can easily select desired content.

(6) The present invention is capable of receiving a remote control device (300), a content transmission device (500) that performs at least one of content distribution and content broadcasting, and content that is distributed or broadcast by the content transmission device, and A content viewing system including a content receiving device (200) capable of receiving a remote control signal emitted from the remote control device and a recommendation server (600), wherein the remote control device is used for identifying and authenticating a user. User authentication extraction means (301) and user information, which is information related to the user authenticated by the user authentication extraction means, is transmitted to the recommendation server, and is information related to content and is used from the recommendation server. Communication means (302) for receiving content information sent in response to person information, Display means (303) for displaying the content information obtained by the communication means, operation means (303) capable of operating and inputting content selected by the user from the content information displayed on the display means, Remote control signal transmitting means (304) for transmitting a remote control signal to the content receiving apparatus according to the content selected by the operation input by the operating means, and collecting the usage situation for each user, and via the communication means Usage status collection means (307) for transmitting the usage status to the recommendation server, and the usage status collection means further includes a history of the user sending comments to the outside regarding the content viewed by the user. includes a comment outgoing history collection means (307d) for collecting the recommendation server, from said remote control device Proposing a content viewing system that generates the content information according to the obtained usage situation for each user and transmits the content information to the remote control device according to the user information. .

According to the present invention, the user authentication extraction unit identifies and authenticates the user. The communication means transmits user information, which is information related to the user authenticated by the user authentication extraction means, to the recommendation server, and is information related to the content, which is sent from the recommendation server according to the user information. Receive information. The display means displays the content information obtained by the communication means. The operation unit enables operation input of content selected by the user from the content information displayed on the display unit. The remote control signal transmitting means transmits a remote control signal to the content receiving apparatus according to the content selected by the operation input by the operating means. The usage status collection unit collects the usage status for each user and transmits the usage status to the recommendation server via the communication unit.
Further, the usage status collection means includes comment transmission history collection means for collecting a history of the user sending comments to the outside regarding the content viewed by the user. The recommendation server generates content information according to the usage status of each user acquired from the remote control device, and transmits the content information to the remote control device according to the user information. Therefore, user information can be collected efficiently, and content information useful for users close to the user's preferences can be provided. Therefore, the user can easily select the desired content with the remote controller at hand without looking at the television receiver.

(7) The present invention is capable of receiving a remote control device (300), a content transmission device (500) that performs at least one of content distribution and content broadcasting, and content that is distributed or broadcast by the content transmission device, and , A remote control device control method in a content viewing system including a content receiving device (200) capable of receiving a remote control signal emitted by the remote control device and a recommendation server (600), wherein the remote control device User authentication extraction step (S304, S602) for identifying and authenticating, and user information transmission step (S304) for transmitting user information, which is information related to the user authenticated by the user authentication extraction step, to the recommendation server. , S602) and the content information A content information receiving step (S609) for receiving content information sent in response to the user information from a server, a display step (S610) for displaying the content information obtained by the content information receiving step, and the display An operation step (S401, S701) in which content selected by the user from the content information displayed in the step can be input, and a remote control signal according to the content selected in the operation step. A remote control signal transmission step (S404) for transmitting to the content receiving device, and a usage status collection step (S402, S702, S802, S803, S902) for collecting usage status for each user and transmitting the usage status to the recommendation server. , S904, S1102 S1104, and S1202), the execution, further, said in usage collection step in to comment outgoing history collection to collect the history that the user has sent a comment to the outside with respect to the content the user is viewing (S1102, S1104) that the execution has proposed a method of controlling a remote control device according to claim.

According to this invention, in the user authentication extraction step, the user is specified and authenticated. In the user information transmission step, user information, which is information related to the user authenticated in the user authentication extraction step, is transmitted to the recommendation server. In the content information receiving step, content information that is content-related information sent from the recommendation server according to the user information is received. In the display step, the content information obtained in the content information receiving step is displayed. In the operation step, content selected by the user from the content information displayed in the display step can be input. In the remote control signal transmission step, a remote control signal is transmitted to the content receiving device in accordance with the content selected by the operation input in the operation step. In the usage status collection step, the usage status for each user is collected, and the usage status is transmitted to the recommendation server. Further, in the utilization status collection step, comment transmission history collection is performed for collecting a history of the user transmitting comments to the outside regarding the content viewed by the user. Therefore, user information can be collected efficiently, and content information useful for users close to the user's preferences can be provided. Therefore, the user can easily select the desired content with the remote controller at hand without looking at the television receiver.

(8) The present invention is capable of receiving a remote control device (300), a content transmission device (500) that performs at least one of content distribution and content broadcasting, and content that is distributed or broadcast by the content transmission device, and A control program for a remote control device in a content viewing system including a content receiving device (200) capable of receiving a remote control signal emitted by the remote control device and a recommendation server (600), wherein User authentication extraction step (S304, S602) for identifying and authenticating the user, and user information transmission step for transmitting user information, which is information related to the user authenticated by the user authentication extraction step, to the recommendation server ( S304, S602) and information on content A content information receiving step (S609) for receiving content information sent from the recommendation server according to the user information, and a display step (S610) for displaying the content information obtained by the content information receiving step. An operation step (S401, S701) in which a content selected by the user from the content information displayed in the display step can be operated and input, and according to the content selected by the operation input in the operation step. A remote control signal transmitting step (S404) for transmitting a remote control signal to the content receiving device, and a usage status collecting step (S402, S702, S802) for collecting usage status for each user and transmitting the usage status to the recommendation server. , S803, S902, S 04, S1102, S1104, S1202) and a remote control device control program for causing execution, further, the at usage collection step, the user of that content the user has viewed is originated the comment to the outside A control program for a remote control device for executing comment transmission history collection (S1102, S1104) for collecting history is proposed.

According to this invention, in the user authentication extraction step, the user is specified and authenticated. In the user information transmission step, user information, which is information related to the user authenticated in the user authentication extraction step, is transmitted to the recommendation server. In the content information receiving step, content information that is content-related information sent from the recommendation server according to the user information is received. In the display step, the content information obtained in the content information receiving step is displayed. In the operation step, content selected by the user from the content information displayed in the display step can be input. In the remote control signal transmission step, a remote control signal is transmitted to the content receiving device in accordance with the content selected by the operation input in the operation step. In the usage status collection step, the usage status for each user is collected, and the usage status is transmitted to the recommendation server. Further, in the usage status collection step, comment transmission history collection is performed to collect a history of the user transmitting comments to the outside regarding the content viewed by the user. Therefore, user information can be collected efficiently, and content information useful for users close to the user's preferences can be provided. Therefore, the user can easily select the desired content with the remote controller at hand without looking at the television receiver.

  According to the present invention, a user can easily select desired content from content information (personalized content) recommended for each user by using a remote control device at hand without looking at the television receiver. There is an effect.

1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a content viewing system including a remote control device according to the present invention. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a remote control device 300. FIG. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the remote control device. It is a flowchart which shows the power-on of the television receiver 100 and STB200, the multichannel broadcast display on a television screen, and a normal EPG display. 10 is a flowchart showing power-on of remote control device 300 when user authentication is not performed and an operation for displaying a cross key and a numeric key on a screen of remote control device 300. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of user authentication on a screen of remote control device 300. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation when a multi-channel broadcast program is selected on the screen of remote control device 300 when there is user authentication. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation when a multi-channel broadcast program is selected on the screen of remote control device 300 when there is no user authentication. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of displaying content information (personalized content) recommended for each user on the screen of remote control device 300. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of program browsing, such as a promotion video or related information, on the screen of the remote control device. 4 is a flowchart showing content selection and purchase on the screen of remote control device 300 and content display operations on the screen of television receiver 100. 7 is a flowchart showing program evaluation and voting operations on a screen of remote control device 300. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of updating a user profile on the screen of remote control device 300. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of comment transmission by the social network on the screen of the remote control device 300. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of programming recording reservation for multi-channel broadcasting on the screen of remote control device 300.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
Note that the constituent elements in the present embodiment can be appropriately replaced with existing constituent elements and the like, and various variations including combinations with other existing constituent elements are possible. Therefore, the description of the present embodiment does not limit the contents of the invention described in the claims.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a content viewing system including a remote control device according to the present invention.
The content viewing system of the present embodiment includes a television receiver 100, an STB 200, a remote control device 300, a radio base station 400, a content distribution server 500, a recommendation server 600, an authentication / billing server 700, and an external server 800. It has. In FIG. 1, a broken line surrounding the television receiver 100, the STB 200, and the remote control device 300 indicates that it is provided in the user's home.

The television receiver 100 is a content receiving device that supports terrestrial digital broadcasting, and includes an RF signal transmission / reception unit 101 and a display unit 102.
The RF signal transmission / reception unit 101 is connected to the RF signal transmission / reception unit 203 of the STB 200 and transmits / receives content.
The display unit 102 is a display unit such as a liquid crystal display device that displays a video received by a receiving unit (not shown) of the television receiver 100 via a broadcast wave, a video received via the RF signal transmitting / receiving unit 101, or the like. is there.

The STB 200 is a content reception apparatus including a video / control signal transmission / reception unit 201, a content recording unit 202, an RF signal transmission / reception unit 203, and a remote control signal reception unit 204.
The video / control signal transmission / reception unit 201 transmits / receives a video signal and a control signal to / from the content distribution server 500 via a broadband line or a cable TV line.
The content recording unit 202 is a memory or a hard disk device that records the content obtained by the video / control signal transmission / reception unit 201.
The RF signal transmission / reception unit 203 is connected to the RF signal transmission / reception unit 101 of the television receiver 100 and transmits / receives content.
Remote control signal reception unit 204 receives a remote control signal sent from remote control device 300. In this embodiment, the remote control signal receiving unit 204 receives an infrared remote control signal, but may use short-range communication using radio waves.
The television receiver 100 according to the present embodiment can receive broadcast waves such as terrestrial digital broadcasts alone and display video, but will be described below as displaying content obtained from the STB 200.

Remote control device 300 is a device that transmits a remote control signal for remotely controlling STB 200.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of remote control device 300.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an external appearance of the remote control device 300.
The remote control device 300 of this embodiment includes a user authentication extraction unit 301, a communication unit 302, a display operation unit 303, a remote control signal transmission unit 304, a content evaluation voting unit 305, a comment transmission unit 306, a usage status And a collection unit 307.

The user authentication extraction unit 301 identifies who is the user who uses the remote control device 300, and performs authentication. For example, when the remote control device 300 is used by a family of two parents and a child, whether the user operating the remote control device 300 is a father, a mother, or two children It is specifically identified and authenticated. The remote control device 300 is provided with a reading unit 301a for reading a user's fingerprint below the display operation unit 303 (downward in FIG. 3). The user authentication extraction unit 301 identifies the individual user by performing fingerprint authentication using the fingerprint read by the reading unit 301a.
Note that the user authentication extraction unit 301 registers a fingerprint, which is information for identifying an individual user, in advance.

The communication unit 302 transmits user information, which is information related to the user authenticated by the user authentication extraction unit 301, to the external recommendation server 600. Here, the user information is, for example, a unique number that is uniquely assigned to each individual user. Further, the communication unit 302 receives content information sent from the recommendation server 600 according to user information.
Here, the content information is information related to content distributed by the content distribution server 500 described later. Specifically, it is information recommended for each user. The recommended information is information that is likely to be relevant to the user, information for selecting and recommending information that the user is likely to be interested in, and the like.
For example, if the user is identified and authenticated as a father and the content that the father often watches is baseball broadcast, content or advertisements that are highly relevant to baseball are included in the content information. Also, if the user is identified and authenticated as a child, and the content that the child often views is an animation work, the content related to the animation work and educational-related content and information are displayed. Include in content information.
In addition to the information regarding the recommended content, information regarding all the distributed contents may be added to the content information. For example, in addition to recommended recommended program information, information on all programs scheduled to be broadcast may be included in the content information. In that case, it is better to ask the user to select which information to view.
Communication between the communication unit 302 and the recommendation server 600 uses a wireless communication line provided by a mobile phone service provider.

  The display operation unit 303 functions as a display unit that displays content information obtained by the communication unit. The display operation unit 303 also functions as an operation unit that can input the content selected by the user from the displayed content information. Specifically, in this embodiment, a liquid crystal display device having a touch panel input function is provided. FIG. 3 shows an example in which three recommended contents are displayed as information recommended for the user “Mr. A”.

  The remote control signal transmission unit 304 transmits a remote control signal to the external STB 200 in accordance with the content selected by the operation input from the display operation unit 303. As described above, in the present embodiment, the remote control signal transmission unit 304 transmits an infrared remote control signal.

  The content evaluation voting unit 305 votes the evaluation of the viewed content by the user who has viewed the content. Specifically, the content evaluation voting unit 305 presents a display for prompting evaluation to the user through the display operation unit 303 when the user has finished viewing the content. When the user makes an evaluation in response to this, the evaluation result is sent to the recommendation server 600. The evaluation may be a simple evaluation such as a five-level evaluation of satisfaction, for example, or an evaluation including a comment similar to a comment by the comment transmission unit 306 described later.

  The comment transmission unit 306 transmits a comment about the viewed content to a social network provided on the external server 800, a web page, or the like by a user who has viewed the content.

The usage status collection unit 307 collects the usage status for each user, and transmits the collected usage status to the recommendation server 600 through the communication unit 302. Here, the usage status is information such as what operation the user has performed, what content has been viewed, and how much the content has been satisfied. The usage status collection unit 307 of this embodiment includes an operation history collection unit 307a, a viewing history collection unit 307b, a content evaluation vote history collection unit 307c, and a comment transmission history collection unit 307d. The usage status collection unit 307 transmits the history collected by each of these collection units to the recommendation server 600 as the usage status.
When the communication unit 302 cannot communicate with the outside due to a bad radio wave condition, the usage status collection unit 307 displays the collected usage status until a communication can be performed. Remember and keep in

The operation history collection unit 307 a collects a history of operations performed by the user using the display operation unit 303. Here, the operation history includes, for example, a search history when a user searches for content, a browsing history of browsing information included in the content information without viewing the content, and the like.
The viewing history collection unit 307b collects the viewing history of the content viewed by the user.
The content evaluation voting history collection unit 307c collects content evaluation histories performed by the user by the content evaluation voting unit 305.
The comment transmission history collection unit 307d collects the transmission history of comments about the content made by the user by the comment transmission unit 306.

  The wireless base station 400 is a base station of a wireless communication line provided by a mobile phone service provider, and relays wireless communication with the remote control device 300.

The content distribution server 500 is a content transmission device possessed by an IPTV provider or a cable television provider, and distributes content. The content distribution server 500 of this embodiment includes a format conversion unit 501, a content distribution unit 502, and a video / control signal transmission / reception unit 503.
The format conversion unit 501 converts the data format of the content in accordance with the distribution route for distributing the content.
The content distribution unit 502 distributes content to the STB 200 based on a control signal obtained from the STB 200 via the video / control signal transmission / reception unit 503.
The video / control signal transmission / reception unit 503 transmits / receives video signals and control signals to / from the STB 200 via a broadband line or a cable TV line.
The content distribution server 500 is connected to the recommendation server 600, the authentication / billing server 700, and the external server 800 via a closed network.

  The recommendation server 600 generates recommended content information for each user based on the user information obtained from the remote control device 300, and sends the generated content information to the remote control device 300. The recommendation server 600 according to the present embodiment includes a content database (hereinafter referred to as DB) 601, an advertisement / related information DB 602, a user profile DB 603, an EPGDB 604, a distribution content generation unit 605, a recommendation engine unit 606, and the like. And a user profile collection unit 607.

  The content DB 601 stores the content to be distributed and stores various types of information related to the content in association with the content. Here, the various types of information related to the content include, for example, the content genre, content, keyword, target age, and the like. The content DB 601 stores content distributed as a broadcast and content distributed as a VOD.

  The advertisement / related information DB 602 stores advertisements and related information distributed together with content, and stores various types of information related to advertisements and related information in association with the advertisements and related information. Here, the various information related to the advertisement and the related information is the genre, content, keyword, target age, etc. of the advertisement and the related information, as in the various information related to the content. In addition, the related information is general information that is not an advertisement but is desired to be transmitted to the user, and any specific information may be used.

The user profile DB 603 stores profiles for each user collected by a user profile collection unit 607 described later.
The EPG DB 604 stores information related to EPG (Electronic Program Guide) of content distributed as broadcast among the content stored in the content DB.
The distribution content generation unit 605 extracts the content distributed by the content distribution server 500 from the content DB 601 based on various pieces of information on the content information recommended by the recommendation engine unit 606, and sets the content in a distributable state. Also, the distribution content generation unit 605 extracts advertisement / related information related to the content information recommended by the recommendation engine unit 606 from the advertisement / related information DB 602 and generates it as data that can be distributed as one form of content. To do.

  The recommendation engine unit 606 acquires user information from the remote control device 300. Then, the user profile corresponding to the acquired user information is extracted from the user profiles stored in the user profile DB 603. Thereafter, based on the extracted user profile, advertisement / related information related to the recommended content information for each user is generated and transmitted to the remote control device 300.

  The user profile collection unit 607 collects information to be included in the user profile from the usage status of each user acquired from the remote control device 300, and updates the user profile stored in the user profile DB 603. Specifically, an operation history, a content viewing history, a content evaluation history, and a comment transmission history are collected, and the user profile itself is updated.

The authentication billing server 700 performs billing processing performed in connection with content viewing. Here, the billing process includes billing that occurs to view a broadcast for a certain period (for example, in units of one month), billing for pay broadcasting, billing for VOD, and the like. Note that it is not necessary to charge for free content or broadcast. The authentication / billing server 700 includes a user authentication DB 701, a billing DB 702, a user authentication determination unit 703, and a billing unit 704.
The user authentication DB 701 stores user information that has been authenticated and properly registered.
The accounting DB 702 stores accounting information such as how much content and services are charged.
The user authentication determination unit 703 performs user authentication. The user authentication is performed by the remote control device. However, when charging is performed, for example, an additional password input is requested in order to further increase safety.
The charging unit 704 performs a charging process for a user who has been properly authenticated, and sends the result of the charging process to the content distribution server.

  The external server 800 is a server used for other services provided outside, for example. In this embodiment, an example of a social network server is shown, and the external server 800 includes a social network external I / F (interface). On the social network provided in the external server 800, an environment is provided in which comments regarding content distributed by the content viewing system of the present embodiment can be uploaded.

Next, the operation of the content viewing system of the present embodiment will be described based on a flowchart.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing power-on of the television receiver 100 and the STB 200, multi-channel broadcast display and normal EPG display on the television screen.
In step (hereinafter referred to as S) 101, the power of the television receiver 100 and the STB 200 is turned on.
In S102, the RF signal transmission / reception unit 101 requests the STB 200 for multi-channel broadcasting and normal EPG transmission.
In S <b> 103, the RF signal transmission / reception unit 203 transmits a request signal for multi-channel broadcast and normal EPG transmission to the video / control signal transmission / reception unit 201.
In S <b> 104, the video / control signal transmission / reception unit 201 transmits a request signal for multi-channel broadcasting and normal EPG transmission to the recommendation server 600.
In S105, the recommendation engine unit 606 checks whether EPG information exists. Here, a case where there is EPG information will be described.
In S106, the distribution content generation unit 605 generates data for multi-channel broadcasting and normal EPG.
In step S107, the format conversion unit 501 performs content format conversion.
In S108, the content distribution unit 502 distributes content (multi-channel broadcasting) and normal EPG information.
In S109, the video / control signal transmission / reception unit 503 transmits the video signal and the control signal to the STB 200.
In S <b> 110, the video / control signal transmission / reception unit 201 receives a video signal and a control signal from the content distribution server 500.
In S <b> 111, the RF signal transmission / reception unit 203 transmits an RF signal to the television receiver 100.
In S112, the RF signal transmission / reception unit 101 receives the RF signal reception from the STB 200.
In S113, the display unit 102 displays multi-channel broadcasting and normal EPG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the power-on of remote control device 300 when user authentication is not performed and the operation of displaying the cross key and the numeric keys on the screen of remote control device 300.
In step S201, the remote controller 300 is turned on by operating a power switch (not shown).
In S202, the display operation unit 303 displays a start-up screen when the remote control device 300 is turned on.
In S203, the operation history collection unit 307a collects the history of power-on operation of the remote control device 300.
In S204, the user authentication extraction unit 301 confirms that there is no user authentication.
In S205, the display operation unit 303 displays a cross key and a numeric key.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of user authentication on the screen of remote control device 300.
In S301, the display operation unit 303 displays the start of user authentication.
In step S <b> 302, the display operation unit 303 receives a user authentication operation.
In S303, the operation history collection unit 307a collects an operation history of user authentication.
In S304, the user authentication extraction unit 301 confirms the presence of user authentication, performs authentication, and sends user information to the recommendation server 600 and the authentication billing server 700 (user authentication extraction step, user information transmission). Step).
In step S <b> 305, the user authentication determination unit 703 receives and confirms a signal indicating that the authentication is successful by the user authentication extraction unit 301.
In S306, the display operation unit 303 displays the user name.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation when a multi-channel broadcast program is selected on the screen of remote control device 300 in the case of user authentication.
In step S401, the display operation unit 303 accepts multi-channel broadcast content selection by using a cross key or a numeric key by a user or by direct selection using a touch panel function (operation step).
In S402, the operation history collection unit 307a collects the content selection history and transmits the information to the recommendation server 600 (usage status collection step).
In S403, the recommendation server 600 receives information related to the content selection history, and the user profile collection unit 607 collects the content names of the multi-channel broadcast.
In S404, remote control signal transmission unit 304 transmits the content number of the multi-channel broadcast to STB 200 (remote control signal transmission step).
In S405, the remote control signal receiving unit 204 receives a multi-channel broadcast content number.
In S406, the display unit 102 displays the selected content of multi-channel broadcasting.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation when a multi-channel broadcast program is selected on the screen of the remote control device 300 when there is no user authentication.
In step S <b> 501, the display operation unit 303 accepts multi-channel broadcast content selection by using a cross key or a numeric key by a user or by direct selection using a touch panel function.
In S502, the operation history collection unit 307a collects content selection history.
In step S503, the remote control signal transmission unit 304 transmits the multi-channel broadcast content number to the STB 200.
In S504, the remote control signal receiving unit 204 receives a multi-channel broadcast content number.
In S505, the display unit 102 displays the selected content of multi-channel broadcasting.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation for displaying advertisement / related information (personalized content) related to content information recommended for each user on the screen of remote control device 300.
In step S601, the display operation unit 303 displays the start of user authentication and accepts a user authentication operation.
In step S602, the user authentication extraction unit 301 confirms the presence of user authentication, performs authentication, and sends user information to the recommendation server 600 and the authentication billing server 700 (user authentication extraction step, user information transmission). Step).
In step S <b> 603, the user authentication determination unit 703 receives and confirms a signal indicating that the authentication is successful by the user authentication extraction unit 301.
In S <b> 604, the recommendation engine unit 606 confirms the presence / absence of recommendation information corresponding to the user, and notifies the distribution content generation unit 605 of the presence / absence of the recommendation information. Here, description will be made assuming that there is recommendation information.
In step S605, the distribution content generation unit 605 generates personalized content, that is, advertisement / related information related to the recommended content information. Specifically, a plurality of contents that are highly likely to meet the user's preference are extracted as recommended contents for the user. Then, the outline of the extracted content, the broadcast time, and the like are collectively generated as one data (personalized content).
In step S606, the format conversion unit 501 performs format conversion of content information (personalized content).
In S607, the content distribution unit 502 distributes content information.
In S608, the video / control signal transmission / reception unit 503 transmits the content information.
In S609, the communication unit 302 receives content information (content information reception step).
In S610, the display operation unit 303 displays content information (personalized content) (display step) (see FIG. 3).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of browsing a program such as a promotion video or related information on the screen of remote control device 300.
In S <b> 701, the display operation unit 303 receives a content promotion video selection operation (operation step).
In S702, the operation history collection unit 307a collects the selection history of the content promotion video, and transmits the information to the recommendation server 600 (usage status collection step).
In S703, the viewing history collection unit 307b collects the viewing history of the content promotion video.
In step S704, the user profile collection unit 607 collects the names of content promotion videos viewed by the user.
In S705, the display operation unit 303 plays the content promotion video.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing operations for selecting and purchasing content on the screen of remote control device 300 and displaying content on the screen of television receiver 100.
In step S <b> 801, the display operation unit 303 receives a content selection operation.
In S802, the operation history collection unit 307a collects an operation history of content selection and transmits the information to the recommendation server 600 (usage status collection step).
In S803, the viewing history collection unit 307b collects the viewing history of the content and transmits the information to the recommendation server 600 (usage status collection step).
In step S804, the billing unit 704 performs billing processing for content viewing and confirms whether billing has been properly performed. Here, it is assumed that the billing is OK.
In step S805, the user profile collection unit 607 collects content names viewed by the user.
In step S <b> 806, the recommendation engine unit 606 confirms the presence / absence of recommendation information corresponding to the user, and notifies the distribution content generation unit 605 of the presence / absence of the recommendation information. Here, description will be made assuming that there is recommendation information.
In S807, the distribution content generation unit 605 generates the selected content for distribution.
In step S808, the format conversion unit 501 converts the content format.
In S809, the content distribution unit 502 distributes the content.
In S810, the video / control signal transmission / reception unit 503 transmits the video signal and the control signal.
In step S811, the video / control signal transmission / reception unit 201 receives the video signal and the control signal.
In S812, the RF signal transmission / reception unit 203 transmits an RF signal.
In S813, the RF signal transmission / reception unit 101 receives an RF signal.
In S814, the display unit 102 displays the content selected by the user.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing program evaluation and voting operations on the screen of remote control device 300.
In step S901, the display operation unit 303 receives a content evaluation operation.
In S902, the operation history collection unit 307a collects an operation history of content evaluation and transmits the information to the recommendation server 600 (usage status collection step).
In step S <b> 903, the content evaluation voting unit 305 votes the content evaluation result to the recommendation server 600.
In S904, the content evaluation vote history collection unit 307c collects the content evaluation history and transmits the information to the recommendation server 600 (usage status collection step).
In step S905, the user profile collection unit 607 collects content evaluations by users.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation of updating the user profile on the screen of remote control device 300.
In step S1001, the display operation unit 303 receives a user profile manual update operation.
In S1002, the operation history collection unit 307a collects an operation history of user profile manual update.
In step S1003, the user profile collection unit 607 collects and updates the user profile.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation of sending a comment by a social network on the screen of remote control device 300.
In step S1101, the display operation unit 303 accepts an operation for sending a comment by a social network.
In S1102, the operation history collection unit 307a collects the operation history of comment transmission by the social network and transmits the information to the recommendation server 600 (usage status collection step).
In S1103, the comment transmission part 306 performs the comment transmission by a social network.
In S1104, the comment transmission history collection unit 307d collects the content of the comment transmission and transmits the information to the recommendation server 600 (usage status collection step).
In step S1105, the user profile collection unit 607 collects comments from the social network.
In S1106, the social network external I / F 801 receives a comment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of program recording reservation for multi-channel broadcasting on the screen of remote control device 300.
In S <b> 1201, the display operation unit 303 accepts an operation for reserving a multi-channel broadcast content recording on the remote control device 300 screen.
In S1202, the operation history collection unit 307a collects the operation history of content recording reservation and transmits the information to the recommendation server 600 (usage status collection step).
In step S1203, the user profile collection unit 607 collects the content reserved for recording.
In step S1204, the remote control signal transmission unit 304 transmits the content number reserved for recording.
In step S1205, the remote control signal receiving unit 204 receives the content number of the recording reservation.
In step S1206, the content recording unit 202 makes a recording reservation for the content.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the remote control device 300 specifies the user by the user authentication extraction unit 301 and sends the usage status of the user to the recommendation server 600. Then, the recommended content information for each user is acquired from the recommendation server 600 and displayed. Therefore, it is possible to present to the user content that is highly likely to match the user's preference. Therefore, the user can easily select desired content.
In addition, the usage status collection unit 307 collects any of the operation history, viewing history, evaluation vote history, and comment transmission history and sends it to the recommendation server 600, so that the recommendation reflecting the user's preference is reflected. Can perform foundation.

  Control of the remote control device, content viewing system, and remote control device of the present invention is performed by recording the processing of the remote control device on a computer-readable recording medium, causing the remote control device to read and execute the program recorded on the recording medium. A method can be realized. The computer system here includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices.

  Further, the “computer system” includes a homepage providing environment (or display environment) if a WWW (World Wide Web) system is used. The program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the “transmission medium” for transmitting the program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line.

  The program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. Furthermore, what can implement | achieve the function mentioned above in combination with the program already recorded on the computer system, what is called a difference file (difference program) may be sufficient.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to the embodiments, and includes designs and the like that do not depart from the gist of the present invention.

(Deformation)
(1) In the present embodiment, an example in which user authentication is performed by fingerprint authentication has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other biometric authentications such as iris authentication, vein authentication, voice print, face shape, handwriting, and the like are possible. Technology may be used. In addition to biometric authentication, a password or the like may be used, and a short distance communication such as infrared communication or Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Felica ( Authentication may be performed semi-automatically using a registered trademark.

(2) In the present embodiment, the communication unit 302 has been described as an example of communicating with the outside via a wireless communication line. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, communication with the outside may be performed via an STB or a television receiver. If it does in this way, the communication part of a remote control device can be made into a simple form.

(3) In the present embodiment, the remote control device 300 transmits a remote control signal to the STB 200, and the STB 200 receives content. For example, the remote control device may transmit a remote control signal to the television receiver, and the television receiver may receive content.

(4) In the present embodiment, the display operation unit 303 has been described as an example of a display device having a touch panel function. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, a remote control device including a display unit and an operation unit independently may be used.

(5) In the present embodiment, the example in which the remote control device 300 communicates with the outside via the radio base station 400 has been described. For example, the remote control device may be provided with a wireless LAN function to communicate with the outside via the wireless LAN. In this case, a wireless LAN router provided in the user's home may be shared with the television receiver or STB.

(6) In the present embodiment, an example in which the content information is information recommended as information for selecting and recommending information that is likely to be related to the user or information that the user is likely to be interested in will be described. did. Not limited to this, for example, content information generated according to the user is not only user's preference but also information that is easy to use for the user considering other factors such as the user's age, for example It is good. For example, when the user is an elderly person, it may be possible to increase the size of the characters or to reduce the number of options so that the operation can be performed easily. In addition, when the user is a child of an elementary school student, a kanji to be displayed may be selected according to the grade or a furigana may be attached.
In addition to the demographic attributes (gender / age / age / blood group / occupation) described above, psychographic attributes (lifestyle / personality / value) may be considered.
Furthermore, the content information generated according to the user is not limited to information related to the content itself, and may include advertisements and various information highly related to the user.
In addition, the content information generated according to the user is added with decision right information indicating permission or disapproval of payment of paid content, or an age indicating permission or disapproval of content viewing with a viewing age restriction. Restriction release information may be added. As a result, it is possible to prevent the child from being given approval, and to prevent children who have not reached a certain age from watching adult content.

  In addition, although 1st Embodiment and modification can also be used in combination suitably, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Television receiver 101 RF signal transmission / reception part 102 Display part 201 Control signal transmission / reception part 202 Content recording part 203 RF signal transmission / reception part 204 Remote control signal reception part 300 Remote control device 301 User authentication extraction part 301a Reading part 302 Communication part 303 Display operation part 304 Remote control signal transmission unit 305 Content evaluation voting unit 306 Comment transmission unit 307 Usage status collection unit 307a Operation history collection unit 307b Viewing history collection unit 307c Content evaluation vote history collection unit 307d Comment transmission history collection unit 400 Wireless base station 500 Content distribution server 501 Format conversion unit 502 Content distribution unit 503 Control signal transmission / reception unit 600 Recommendation server 601 Content DB
602 Advertising / related information DB
603 User profile DB
604 EPGDB
605 Distribution content generation unit 606 Recommendation engine unit 607 User profile collection unit 700 Authentication billing server 701 User authentication DB
702 Billing DB
703 User authentication determination unit 704 Billing unit 800 External server 801 Social network external I / F

Claims (8)

A remote control device used in a content receiving apparatus capable of receiving a plurality of contents,
User authentication extraction means for identifying and authenticating a user;
User information, which is information related to the user authenticated by the user authentication extracting means, is transmitted to an external recommendation server, and is information related to content, which is sent from the recommendation server according to the user information. A communication means for receiving content information;
Display means for displaying the content information obtained by the communication means;
Operation means capable of operating and inputting content selected by the user from the content information displayed on the display means;
Remote control signal transmitting means for transmitting a remote control signal to the external content receiving device according to the content selected by the operation input by the operating means;
Usage status collection means for collecting usage status for each user and transmitting the usage status to the recommendation server via the communication means;
With
The usage status collection means includes:
Including a comment transmission history collection means for collecting a history of the user sending comments to the outside regarding the content viewed by the user;
A remote control device characterized by. The remote control device according to claim 1,
The communication means communicates with the outside via a wireless communication line;
A remote control device characterized by. The remote control device according to claim 1,
The communication means communicates with the outside via the content receiving device;
A remote control device characterized by. In the remote control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Usage status collection means
Operation history collection means for collecting history operated by the operation means;
Viewing history collection means for collecting the history of content viewed by users;
Content evaluation voting history collection means for collecting a history of the user performing at least one of evaluation and evaluation voting on the content viewed by the user;
Including at least one of
A remote control device characterized by. In the remote control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The operation means includes a touch panel using the display means;
A remote control device characterized by. A remote control device;
A content transmission device that performs at least one of content distribution and content broadcasting;
A content receiver capable of receiving content distributed or broadcast by the content transmitter and receiving a remote control signal emitted from the remote controller;
A recommendation server,
A content viewing system including
The remote control device is
User authentication extraction means for identifying and authenticating a user;
User information that is information related to the user authenticated by the user authentication extracting means is transmitted to the recommendation server, and content is information that is sent from the recommendation server according to the user information. A communication means for receiving information;
Display means for displaying the content information obtained by the communication means;
Operation means capable of operating and inputting content selected by the user from the content information displayed on the display means;
Remote control signal transmitting means for transmitting a remote control signal to the content receiving device according to the content selected by operation input by the operating means;
Usage status collection means for collecting usage status for each user and transmitting the usage status to the recommendation server via the communication means;
With
Further, the usage status collection means includes:
Including a comment transmission history collecting means for collecting a history of the user sending a comment to the outside regarding the content viewed by the user;
The recommendation server generates the content information according to the usage status of each user acquired from the remote control device, and transmits the content information to the remote control device according to the user information;
A content viewing system. A remote control device;
A content transmission device that performs at least one of content distribution and content broadcasting;
A content receiver capable of receiving content distributed or broadcast by the content transmitter and receiving a remote control signal emitted from the remote controller;
A recommendation server,
A remote control device control method in a content viewing system including:
The remote control device is
A user authentication extraction step for identifying and authenticating a user;
A user information transmission step of transmitting user information, which is information about the user authenticated by the user authentication extraction step, to the recommendation server;
A content information receiving step for receiving content information that is information related to content and is sent from the recommendation server according to the user information;
A display step of displaying the content information obtained by the content information receiving step;
An operation step capable of operating and inputting content selected by the user from the content information displayed in the display step;
A remote control signal transmission step of transmitting a remote control signal to the content receiving device according to the content selected by the operation input in the operation step;
A usage status collection step of collecting usage status for each user and transmitting the usage status to the recommendation server;
Run
Furthermore, in the usage status collection step,
Executing comment dispatch history collection that collects the history of comments sent to the outside by the user regarding the content viewed by the user;
A control method for a remote control device. A remote control device;
A content transmission device that performs at least one of content distribution and content broadcasting;
A content receiver capable of receiving content distributed or broadcast by the content transmitter and receiving a remote control signal emitted from the remote controller;
A recommendation server,
A control program for a remote control device in a content viewing system including:
In the computer of the remote control device,
A user authentication extraction step for identifying and authenticating a user;
A user information transmission step of transmitting user information, which is information about the user authenticated by the user authentication extraction step, to the recommendation server;
A content information receiving step for receiving content information that is information related to content and is sent from the recommendation server according to the user information;
A display step of displaying the content information obtained by the content information receiving step;
An operation step capable of operating and inputting content selected by the user from the content information displayed in the display step;
A remote control signal transmission step of transmitting a remote control signal to the content receiving device according to the content selected by the operation input in the operation step;
A usage status collection step of collecting usage status for each user and transmitting the usage status to the recommendation server;
Is a control program of a remote control device for executing
Furthermore, in the usage status collection step,
A control program for a remote control device for executing a comment transmission history collection for collecting a history of a user sending a comment to the outside regarding contents viewed by a user .

Images