JPH10304332A - Digital broadcasting receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoid an unexpected payment request from a broadcasting entrepreneur or the like by providing a warning means for issuing warning when a purchase sum is beyond a designated purchase sum total. SOLUTION: At the time of viewing a pay per view(PPV), a user deicses whether to purchase the PPV (S80) or not. Then, the user knows the sum of a PPV program to be purchased each time by referring to DM- fee- descriptor in additional information related with the program (S82). Also, the user knows the program total sum so far purchased (S84). When the total of the DM- fee- descriptor and the purchased program total sum returned from a card are beyond an upper limit sum preliminarily set for a receiver, a warning is issued to the user by an audible sound from a digital broadcasting receiver and/or a visual display of characters or the like on the screen of a TV monitor indicating that the purchased sum is beyond the upper limit.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital broadcast receiver transmitted via a satellite, a cable, or the like.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a digital broadcast receiver having improved processing when purchasing a pay-per-view program in digital broadcasting.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Digital broadcasting is basically a pay broadcast, so that limited reception is possible according to the contents of a reception contract between a digital broadcasting company and a viewer. Image and audio transport streams are scrambled, and the key to unlock them is also transmitted as one of the transport streams. The key information is also scrambled, and an individual key for decrypting the information is stored in an IC card inserted in the receiver.

A contract between a business operator and a viewer is usually made for each channel except for PPV (pay-per-view). On the other hand, for a PPV program, a fee set for each program is charged each time a trial listening is performed. The billing information is stored in an IC card set in the receiver main body, and is transferred to the broadcaster at regular intervals (every month in the case of the current PerfecTV!) Via a telephone line or the like.

[0004] In a known digital broadcast receiver, a user purchases a PPV program without any restrictions.

[0005]

Therefore, at the time of purchase, the user may continue to pay more pay-per-view programs even though the total purchase amount of the purchased pay-per-view programs has already become large. If you purchase a per-view program and later receive a request for payment from a broadcaster, you may be upset by a very high bill.

An object of the present invention is to provide a digital broadcast receiver which overcomes the above-mentioned problems.

[0007]

The digital broadcast receiver (10) of the present invention has the following (a) to (c). (A) A purchase price total designating means in which a user specifies in advance a total purchase price of a predetermined target pay-per-view program. (B) Calculates a total purchase price of a purchased predetermined target pay-per-view program. (C) When a user tries to purchase a pay-per-view program, if the purchase price is added to the total purchase price of the purchase price total calculation means, the designated purchase price in the purchase price total designating means Warning means to generate a warning if it exceeds the total

[0008] The digital broadcast receiver (20) is not limited to a satellite broadcast, but also includes a cable broadcast.

The warning includes an audible warning by a buzzer or the like and a visual warning by displaying characters on the screen of the television monitor (22).

[0010] When a user purchases a pay-per-view program, he or she purchases the pay-per-view program.
If the total purchase price of the view program is exceeded, a warning will be issued from the warning means.
This eliminates panic and surprises when you receive a V program payment request.

The digital broadcast receiver (10) of the present invention has the following (a) to (c). (A) A purchase price total designating means in which a user specifies in advance a total purchase price of a predetermined target pay-per-view program. (B) Calculates a total purchase price of a purchased predetermined target pay-per-view program. (C) When a user tries to purchase a pay-per-view program, if the purchase price is added to the total purchase price of the purchase price total calculation means, the designated purchase price in the purchase price total designating means Prohibition means to prohibit the purchase if it exceeds the total

[0012] When a user purchases a pay-per-view program, the purchase is made according to the pay-per-view program specified in advance.
If the total purchase price of the view program is exceeded, the purchase will be prohibited by the prohibition means, so when a payment request for the purchased PPV program is later received from a broadcaster etc.,
Eliminate panic and surprise.

Another digital broadcast receiver of the present invention (10)
According to the pay-per-view program of the predetermined object,
(A) one cycle period in which the user pays the total purchase price,
(B) a predetermined period, (c) a holiday, (d) a weekday, and / or (e) a pay-per-view program of a predetermined genre.

[0014] The broadcaster or the like requests the user to pay for the pay-per-view program, for example, every month.
(A) A pay-per-view program for one cycle period in which the user pays the total purchase price. In addition to the management of the amount of money, the pay-per-view program of a predetermined target is also used for managing the viewing time of a family such as a child.
The pay-per-view program may be a predetermined period (b) different from one cycle period in which the user pays the total purchase amount, for example, one week or one day. The predetermined target pay-per-view program is set to (c) a holiday or (d) a weekday pay-per-view program, and weekdays and holidays are distinguished. It is possible to reduce the viewing time of the program. Further, the pay-per-view program of a predetermined target is set as (e) a pay-per-view program of a predetermined genre. Can be higher than the total purchase price.

Another digital broadcast receiver according to the present invention (10)
Has the following (d). (D) Display means for displaying on the television monitor (22) the details of the purchase amount of the pay-per-view program and / or the total purchase amount calculated by the total purchase amount calculation means.

The display means displays the details of the purchase amount of the pay-per-view program on the television monitor (22) and / or the display of the total purchase amount calculated by the total purchase amount calculation means.
Useful as information to the user. In addition, the details of the purchase amount of the pay-per-view program and / or the total purchase amount calculated by the total purchase amount calculation means should be notified to the user through an output to a printer or the like, in addition to the television monitor (22). Can also.

Another digital broadcast receiver of the present invention (10)
According to the above, the display means further comprises:
When attempting to purchase a per-view program, (b) when the warning means generates a warning, and (c) when the prohibiting means sets the pay-per-
The display is executed when the purchase of the view program is prohibited, (d) when the user requests the display, and / or (e) when the television monitor (22) is turned on.

The display means displays the details of the purchase amount of the pay-per-view program on the television monitor (22) and / or the total purchase amount calculated by the total purchase amount calculation means.
The cases (a) to (d) are meaningful as information to the user at the time of purchase, at the time of warning, and at the time of prohibition.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 shows a digital broadcast receiving system. The transmission signal of the digital broadcasting receives radio waves or electric signals from an artificial satellite (not shown) and a cable broadcasting station to a digital broadcasting receiver 20 such as each home 14 via a parabolic antenna 10 and a cable 12. Then, the received signal is signal-processed in the digital broadcast receiver 20 and supplied to the television monitor 22.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are an upper partial view and a lower partial view, respectively, showing a block diagram of the digital broadcast receiver 20 divided vertically above and below a bus. The tuner module 26 selects the frequency of the received digital broadcast transmission signal and outputs it to the channel receiver 28. Channel receiver 28
Are QPSK (QAM) demodulation, analog / digital conversion (ADC) and FEC (Forward Error Correction).
n) A digital data demodulation circuit that performs error correction and the like, and generates a data stream in a format called a transport stream (FIG. 5). The MPEG2 transport demultiplexer 32 converts the input transport stream into MPEG2 Video transport packets, A
audio transport packets and PSI (Progra
m Specific Information) and reconfigures it. Programs of 4 to 8 channels are multiplexed in one transport stream, and a plurality of transport streams are transmitted from a broadcasting company. To select a channel, data such as which transport stream an arbitrary channel is transmitted in and which packet ID is multiplexed in the transport stream is selected from the PSI. The MPEG2 decoder & OSD (OnScreen Display) 34 decodes the MPEG2 video stream and the MPEG2 audio stream, respectively, and outputs the video signal and the audio signal to the video encoder 36 and the DAC 38, respectively. The OSD converts EPG character data and the like into a video signal and outputs the video signal to the video encoder. A video signal such as an NTSC signal is output from the video encoder 36, and the video is reproduced (output) on the television monitor 22.
Is done.

Each channel or program can be reproduced (output) by subscribing, and the information is sent to the IC card interface 44 by sending data (EMM or ECM) in the transport stream to the IC card interface 44.
The card interface 44 sends predetermined data to the transport descrambler 30 in light of the data read from the IC card, and the video and audio can be decoded by the transport descrambler 30 if the conditions are met. The CPU 40 is for controlling each component device of the digital broadcast receiver 20. User interface
Reference numeral 42 is for selecting and operating a channel from the EPG screen, to which a remote controller and a keyboard are connected. The modem 46 transfers the history data of the use of the pay program to the broadcaster.

In digital broadcasting, a program of 100 channels or more is used by utilizing the image compression technology of MPEG2.
It has the advantage of broadcasting over a wide area. In this case, by increasing the number of channels, it is possible to search for a program on the same day, the next day, one week later, etc. from a program table on a print medium such as a newspaper or a magazine, and make a channel selection or recording reservation.
This can be very messy for many viewers. Therefore, as a countermeasure, the data necessary for creating a program table, such as program information, is also stored in an MPEG2 transport stream (for the MPEG2 transport stream, later) so that the viewer can search and select a program on the TV screen. 4 will be described later with reference to FIG. 4). This program guide is called EPG (Electronic Program Guide).

The data necessary to construct the EPG is MPEG2
It is transmitted by the data structure specified by System, and consists of tables and descriptors. The SDT (Ser
viceDescription Table), EIT (Event Information Ta
ble) (Note that SDT and EIT are not general terms used in digital broadcasting, but are used in PerfecTV!
This is a specific term. ), The data of the additional information relating to the channel and the additional information relating to the program are extracted by the MPEG2 transport demultiplexer 32 and processed by a microcomputer or the like to form an EPG (the data structure of SDT and EIT will be described later). The EPG is displayed on the TV screen, the display of the receiver main body, or the display of the remote controller. To display on a TV screen, an IC having an OSD (On Screen Display) function is required.
It is built into the audio / video decoder of the PEG2 decoder 34. Here, the decoded MPEG2 video is overlaid and output.

Perfe as an example of digital satellite broadcasting
cTV! transmits a transmission signal by MPEG2-TS. FIG. 5 is a structural diagram of an MPEG2 transport stream adopted in PerfecTV !. In FIG.
The definitions of (1) to (5) and PID are as follows. (1) Unit start indication This means that a new packet starts from the payload of this transport stream. (2) Transport packet priority Indicates the importance of this packet. (3) Scramble control Indicates whether or not this packet is scrambled and its type. (4) Adaptation field control Indicates the presence or absence of an adaptation field and the presence or absence of a payload in this packet. The above (1) to (4) indicate that there is no adaptation field and that there is a payload. (5) Tour counter Information for detecting whether a packet having the same PID has been partially rejected on the way. Detect from count continuity. PID Program ID If the EIT or the like described above exceeds 184 bytes in the payload (PID = program ID) of the transport packet in FIG. 4, the transport packet is divided into two or more transport packets and transmitted. If a plurality of payloads of the transport packet having the target PID are connected, a bit stream such as the target EIT can be obtained.

The SDT (Service) used in PerfecTV!
The structure of Description Table) is as follows. If the PID is 0 from the transport stream transmitted from the satellite
By collecting and collecting x0011 transport packets, a bit stream according to the following format is completed. The SDT contains information about each Service, that is, each channel. This table (section) is configured for each transport stream.

The SDT has the following meaning depending on the table_id. table_id = 0x42 (SDT_a) Information about channels in the currently received transport stream = 0x46 (SDT_o) Information about channels in other transport streams

The information included in descriptor () of the above data structure includes the following. DM_name_descriptor () Describes the service name (channel name). DM_content_descriptor () Service contents DM_logo_descriptor () Logo of the channel is a bitmap image NVOD_reference_descriptor () Information on near video-on-demand service time_shifted_service_descriptor () service_id mosaic_descriptor () of splitting screen display Information DM_service_type_descriptor () Type of service such as video, audio, and data DM_event_range_descriptor () Information on schedule_EIT that exists in the same TS

As an example, EIT (Event) in PerfecTV!
Information Table) has the following data structure. When a transport packet with a PID of 0x0012 is collected and collected, a bit stream according to the following format is completed. The EIT includes information on each Event, that is, information on each program. This table (section) is configured for each service (channel).

The EIT has the following meaning depending on the table_id. table_id = 0x4E (EIT_p / a) a
ctive_transport_stream, present_following_EIT Information on the currently or next executed program of the currently received TS 0x4F (EIT_p / o) other_transport_
stream, present_following_EIT Information on the current or next program to be executed by another TS 0x50 to 57 (EIT_g / a) active_transport_stream, g
eneral_EIT All program schedule information of the currently received TS (other than program contents) 0x60 to 67 (EIT_g / o) other_transport_stream, ge
neral_EIT All program schedule information of other TSs (other than program contents) 0x58 to 5F (EIT_d / a) active_transport_stream, d
etail_EIT All program schedule information of the currently received TS (program content only) 0x68-6F (EIT_d / o) other_transport_stream, de
tail_EIT All program schedule information of other TS (program content only)

The information included in descriptor () of the above data structure includes the following. DM_name_descriptor Describes the program name. DM_ts_event_descriptor time_shifted_event
In the case of, the service_id and event_id of the parent event are described. Stream_identif of DM_component_descriptor PMT
A stream that matches the component_tag of the ier_descriptor is described. content_descriptor Describes the program genre. parental_rating_descriptor Describes the parental level. DM_fee_descriptor Describes the PPV fee. DM_content_descriptor Describes the program content. DM_copy_control_descriptor Information about MACROVISION is described. DM_function_descriptor Describes a function to be implemented by the receiver. DM_voting_descriptor Information about voting is described. DM_series_descriptor Describes the series number to which the program belongs.

Digital satellite broadcasting currently being broadcast PerfecTV
The data structure of NIT (Network Information Table) in! When transport packets having a PID of 0010h are collected from a transport stream transmitted from a satellite, a bit stream according to the following format is completed. The NIT includes the physical information of the transmission path such as the modulation frequency and the organization channel information. This table is organized for each network (currently there is only one network, that is, only for PerfecTV!).

[0032]

The NIT has the following meaning depending on the table_id. table_id = 40h (NIT_a) Physical information, organization, and channel information of the currently receiving network transmission path. 41h (NIT_o) Physical information on the transmission path of other networks and information on the organization channel.

Descriptor () of the above data structure includes ne
There are twork_descriptors and transport_descriptors, and the information included includes the following. network_descriptors DM_name_descriptor () Describes the network name. DM_offset_time_descriptor () Offset when daylight savings time is in effect DM_message_descriptor () Message for all network recipients DM_copy_management_descriptor () MACR
OVISION process_configuration_data transport_descriptors service_list_descriptor () The existing service_id and its type are listed. satellite_delivery_system_descriptor () Transmission specifications

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a process for displaying a digital broadcast EPG. In S50, an instruction to display the EPG is input by the user interface 42 of the digital broadcast receiver 20, for example, a remote controller. In S52, the SDT data is received, the presence or absence of a program table is confirmed, and the service names of the own and other streams are acquired. Next, in S54, the EIT data is received, and information such as the program name, the start time, the category, and the like in each service of the own and other streams is obtained. In S56, an EPG is constructed from these acquired data. The EPG can be configured in various formats, depending on how the microcomputer program is assembled. For example, it is possible to display by channel or program genre.

To receive the desired channel, use MPEG2S
ystem, PAT (Program Association Tabl
e), PMT (Program Map Table), CAT (Conditional Access
Table) and NIT (Network Information Table). These data are all given IDs. The ID of the video or audio stream (PID: Packet ID) required for a certain program is described in the PMT,
The PID of the PMT for the program is described in the PAT. CAT is the key for conditional access. The NIT describes physical information on a transmission line of a broadcast, a channel included in one transport stream, and the like. The stream number such as video or audio of the selected channel is determined from these data, and the video or audio is received by receiving the stream of the PID.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a process for receiving a desired channel. When the channel number is selected in S60, the PAT is received in S62, and it is determined whether or not the channel number selected in S64 exists. If there is, the PMT of the PID described in the PAT is received (S
66). Since the PMT describes PIDs such as video and audio required for the program, the program can be viewed by receiving and decoding the PID (S68). If the channel number selected in S60 does not exist,
In S70, the NIT is received, and in S72, it is determined whether or not the target channel exists in another RF. If there is, S74
Change the RF (Radio Frequency) being received by
To receive. If not, usually, a default RF and a default channel are received (S76).

Since digital broadcasting is basically a pay broadcast, limited reception is possible according to the contents of a reception contract between a digital broadcasting company and a viewer. The video and audio transport streams are scrambled, and the key to unlock them is also transmitted as one of the transport streams. Further, the information of this key is also scrambled, and an individual key for deciphering the information is stored in an IC card inserted into the digital broadcast receiver 20.

The contract between the operator and the viewer is usually made for each channel, so that the contracted channel can always be viewed. However, a major feature of this digital broadcasting is a contract form called “pay-per-view (PPV)”. This PPV is, for example, a contract method that allows only a certain two-hour movie program to be watched for a fee.
That is, a contract is made for each program.

In the case of a PPV program, a fee set for each program is charged each time a trial listening is performed. The billing information is stored in an IC card set in the receiver main body, and is transferred to the broadcaster at regular intervals (every month in the case of the current PerfecTV!) Via a telephone line or the like.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a warning routine when a user purchases a PPV program. The flowchart of FIG. 1 is an example in which this warning routine is applied to PerfecTV! Currently being broadcast. In this warning routine, when purchasing a program for which a fee is set for each program such as a PPV, if the user exceeds the upper limit set in advance for the digital broadcast receiver 20, Notify (warn) to that effect. The user specifies the total purchase price of a PPV program (not shown) that is the upper limit of the total purchase price per cycle (one month in the case of the current PerfecTV!) That notifies the broadcaster of the total charge of the previewed PPV program. It is specified in advance by a routine.

When viewing the PPV, the user selects whether or not to purchase the PPV. When the user selects the purchase of the PPV, that is, when the user inputs a PPV purchase intention (S8)
0), the amount of the PPV program to be purchased this time
It is acquired with reference to DM_fee_descriptor (S82). In addition, for the total amount of the PPV purchased so far, a command for acquiring the total amount of the program purchase is issued to the IC card mounted on the digital broadcast receiver 20, and the total amount of the program purchase is also acquired (S84). It is determined whether or not the sum of the DM_fee_descriptor and the total purchase amount of the program returned from the card exceeds the upper limit amount set in advance for the receiver (S86). Warning sound from 20 speakers and / or TV monitor
A warning to the effect that the upper limit is exceeded is given to the user such as a buzzer by visual display of characters and the like on the screen 22 (S
88). If No, S88 is skipped and the process returns to the normal purchase operation. When the total charge of the PPV program is transferred to the broadcaster, the total purchase price of the program in the IC card is cleared. In this way, the receiver user does not watch the PPV more than necessary, and the broadcaster does not need to pay a large sum after watching the PPV too much.

In S88, a warning is issued, but the purchase of the PPV program may be prohibited together with or instead of the warning.

In S88, only a warning is issued. However, the total purchase price and / or details of the PPV program up to that point may be displayed on the screen of the TV monitor 22 together with the warning. Alternatively, the total purchase amount and / or the description of the PPV program up to that time is determined between S84 and S86 by TV.
The information may be displayed on the screen of the monitor 22. Further, when the determination in S86 is No, the warning routine is not immediately terminated, but the total purchase price including the purchase price of the current PPV program is displayed on the screen of the TV monitor 22 for a predetermined time or an operation of the user's understanding. Until you do, you can also display.

The PP to the present on the screen of the TV monitor 22
The display of the total purchase amount and / or the details of the V program is independent of this warning routine. For example, (a) when the user requests display separately from this warning routine, (b) TV
The first screen when the monitor 22 is turned on may be displayed for a predetermined time or until the user performs an operation of consent.

In the warning routine, the PPV program in the cycle in which the user pays the total amount of the program purchase to the broadcaster is to be processed. However, the PPV program to be purchased may be as follows. In the following cases, the memory storing the total purchase price of the PPV program is reset every time the target period or the target date has passed. (A) PPV program for a predetermined period such as 1 day, 1 week, 10 days, etc. (b) PPV program on holidays and weekdays: For example, on a weekday with a short time, the viewing time of a family PPV program is made shorter than on holidays. . (C) PPV program of a specific genre: For example, regarding the education of children, the total purchase price of the PPV program of the genre of education or education is set to a higher limit, and the PPV of the genre of entertainment such as animation.
The total purchase price of the program is set lower. (D) Multiplication (AND) of the above (a) to (c): For example, the total purchase price is limited only for the purchase of a PPV program whose holiday genre is entertainment.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a warning routine when a user purchases a PPV program.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a digital broadcast receiving system.

FIG. 3 is an upper partial view showing a block diagram of the digital broadcast receiver divided vertically above and below a bus.

FIG. 4 is a lower partial view showing a block diagram of the digital broadcast receiver, which is divided into upper and lower parts with a bus as a boundary.

FIG. 5 is a structural diagram of a transport stream of MPEG2 employed in PerfeTV !.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a process for displaying a digital broadcast EPG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a process for receiving a desired channel.

[Description of Signs] 20 Digital broadcast receiver 22 TV monitor (TV monitor)

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) A user pays for a predetermined target
Means for specifying the total purchase price of the view program in advance;
(C) when the user attempts to purchase a pay-per-view program, the purchase price is calculated as the total purchase price of the purchase price calculation means. A digital broadcast receiver, further comprising: a warning unit for generating a warning when the total purchase price exceeds the total purchase price specified by the total purchase price specification unit. 2. A method in which a user selects a pay-per-
Means for specifying the total purchase price of the view program in advance;
(C) when the user attempts to purchase a pay-per-view program, the purchase price is calculated as the total purchase price of the purchase price calculation means. 6. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 1, further comprising a prohibition unit for prohibiting the purchase if the total purchase amount exceeds the total purchase amount specified by the total purchase amount designation unit. 3. The pay-per-view program as the predetermined object includes: (a) one cycle period in which the user pays the total purchase price, (b) a predetermined period, (c) a holiday, (d) a weekday, and / or 3. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 1, wherein (e) the program is a pay-per-view program of a predetermined genre. And (d) display means for displaying on the television monitor (22) the details of the purchase amount of the pay-per-view program and / or the total purchase amount calculated by the total purchase amount calculation means. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 1, wherein: 5. The display means comprises: (a) a user providing a pay
(B) when the warning means generates a warning; (c) when the prohibition means prohibits the purchase of the pay-per-view program; 5. The digital broadcast receiver according to claim 4, wherein the display is executed when a request is made and / or (e) when the television monitor (22) is turned on.