JP2000124865A - Device and method for receiving and transmitting broadcasting signal, system for transmitting and transmitting/receiving broadcasting signal and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide broadcasting signal reception equipment, capable of providing various and flexible services corresponding to the characteristics of respective subscribers. SOLUTION: Broadcasting signal reception equipment 61-6r have a reception circuit 60 for receiving the broadcasting signals of plural channels respectively containing contents signals and characteristic signals showing the characteristics of these contents signals, switch circuit 61, output signal generating circuit 63 and control circuit 64 which select the contents signals of plural channels from among received broadcasting signals, while using selection reference data to be referred to in the case of selecting the contents signals to be defined as the object of editing out of the received contents signals of plural channels and characteristic signals contained in the received broadcasting signals, and editing these selected contents signals so as to generate an output signal S63.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a broadcast signal receiving apparatus and method, a broadcast signal transmitting apparatus and method, a broadcast signal transmitting system, a broadcast signal transmitting / receiving system and a method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Currently, broadcasting services by digital satellite broadcasting are provided. Digital satellite broadcasting is a single transponder (repeater) by combining MPEG2, an international standard for video compression, and digital broadcasting.
Enables broadcasting on multiple channels, and uses communication satellites (CS: Com
By mounting a plurality of transponders on a communication satellite, multi-channel broadcasting of, for example, 500 channels is realized. Such a digital satellite broadcast broadcasting service is generally provided by a service provider (consigned broadcasting company) that procures and provides programs to subscribers and a satellite provider (contracted broadcasting company) that is an owner of a communication satellite. Provided. Specifically, for example, a service provider purchases a recording medium, such as a magnetic tape or an optical disc, on which a content signal is recorded from a content provider, and edits the content signal to generate a broadcast signal for each channel that provides a service. I do. Then, the broadcast signal generated by the service provider is transmitted (broadcast) from a broadcast signal transmitting device owned by the satellite provider via a communication satellite, and the broadcast signal receiving device of the subscriber (service user) receives the broadcast signal. I do. At this time, the broadcast signal is received by a plurality of broadcast signal receiving devices arranged in a wide area such as the entire area of Japan, for example.

A subscriber's broadcast signal receiving apparatus receives broadcast signals of a plurality of channels generated by one or a plurality of service providers, and responds to the broadcast signals of the channels selected by the subscriber operating channel selection means. Video and audio services are output from output devices such as monitors and speakers. At this time, the broadcast signal receiving device outputs the service corresponding to the channel selected by the subscriber from the output device as it is.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned digital satellite broadcast broadcasting service, the same channel is selected in a broadcast signal receiving apparatus owned by subscribers who live in a wide area and have different preferences. In that case, only the same service can be provided.
That is, there is a problem that different services cannot be automatically provided for each subscriber according to the characteristics of each subscriber.

[0005] For example, in a conventional broadcasting service by digital satellite broadcasting, for example, a broadcast signal receiving apparatus of a subscriber outputs a national version of a news program, and then automatically outputs a different regional version of a news program for each region. There is a problem that services such as output cannot be provided. In other words, traditionally, channels for national news programs,
If there are multiple news program channels for each region, and if the subscriber does not change the channel by himself, a national version of the news program and the news program in the region where the subscriber resides are output (View).

[0006] Further, for example, in the advertisement output time period specified within the broadcast time of a program such as a movie, all the broadcast signal receiving apparatuses selecting the same program channel output the same advertisement. Therefore, it is not possible to provide a service for automatically providing a different advertisement for each subscriber according to the residence area or preference of the subscriber. The above-described problem occurs, for example, in a case other than digital satellite broadcasting, in which the same broadcast signal is provided to subscribers who live in a wide area and have various characteristics.

Further, in the above-mentioned conventional broadcasting service by digital satellite broadcasting, for example, since a service provider purchases and edits a recording medium on which a content signal is recorded from a content provider, the content provider provides the service. There is also a problem that a service cannot be provided by editing a content signal in real time.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and has a broadcast signal receiving apparatus and method, and a broadcast signal transmitting apparatus and method capable of providing various and flexible services according to the characteristics of individual subscribers. It is an object of the present invention to provide a broadcast signal transmitting system, a broadcast signal transmitting / receiving system and a method thereof. Another object of the present invention is to provide a broadcast signal transmission system capable of providing a service by editing a content signal provided by a content provider in real time.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and achieve the above object, a broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to the present invention comprises a content signal and a characteristic signal indicating the characteristic of the content signal. Broadcast signal receiving means for receiving a broadcast signal of a plurality of channels each including: and storing selected reference data referred to when selecting a content signal to be edited among the received content signals of the plurality of channels. Storage means for selecting content signals of a plurality of channels from the received broadcast signal based on the characteristic signal and the selection reference data included in the received broadcast signal, and editing using the selected content signal. Output signal generation means for generating an output signal.

In the broadcast signal receiving apparatus of the present invention, broadcast signals of a plurality of channels are received by the broadcast signal receiving means.
Next, in the output signal generation means, a content signal of a plurality of channels is selected from the received broadcast signal using the characteristic signal and the selection reference data included in the received broadcast signal, and the selected content is selected. Editing is performed using the signal to generate an output signal. That is, the broadcast signal receiving apparatus of the present invention does not output the content signal of the received broadcast signal as an output signal as it is, but uses a characteristic signal indicating the characteristic of the content signal and the selection reference data to generate a plurality of channels. The content signal is edited to generate an output signal. Therefore, various output signals corresponding to the contents of the selection reference data can be generated in the broadcast signal receiving device.

[0011] The broadcast signal receiving apparatus of the present invention preferably further comprises an output means for performing an output according to the generated output signal.

[0012] In the broadcast signal receiving apparatus of the present invention, preferably, the broadcast signal receiving means includes one or a plurality of main channel broadcast signals and one or a plurality of main channel content signals to be edited together with the main channel content signal. And receiving the broadcast signal of the slave channel. Further, the apparatus further includes a main channel selection unit that selects one or a plurality of main channels from among the plurality of main channels, wherein the output signal generation unit includes the selection reference data and the characteristic signal included in the received broadcast signal. And selecting the received content signal of the sub-channel based on the received content signal, and performing the editing using the selected content signal and the content signal of the selected main channel to generate the output signal.

The broadcast signal transmitting apparatus according to the present invention may further comprise a content signal and a characteristic signal indicating a characteristic of the content signal used when the receiving side edits the content signal of the plurality of channels to generate an output signal. Is generated and transmitted. Thus, on the receiving side, it is possible to generate various signals by editing the content signals of a plurality of channels by using the characteristic signals.

Further, the broadcast signal transmitting system of the present invention comprises:
A content signal transmitting device for transmitting a content signal,
A broadcast for generating a broadcast signal including the received content signal and a characteristic signal indicating characteristics of the content signal used when a content signal of a plurality of channels is edited on a broadcast signal receiving side to generate an output signal A signal generation device; and a broadcast signal transmission device for transmitting the generated broadcast signal.

In the broadcast signal transmission system of the present invention, a content signal is transmitted from the content signal transmission device, and the content signal is received by the broadcast signal generation device. Next, in the broadcast signal generating device, the received content signal and a characteristic indicating a characteristic of the content signal used when a broadcast signal receiving side edits a content signal of a plurality of channels to generate an output signal. And a broadcast signal including the signal. Next, the generated broadcast signal is transmitted from the broadcast signal transmission device. in this way,
By transmitting a content signal from the content signal transmitting device to the broadcast signal generating device and transmitting a broadcast signal from the broadcast signal generating device to the broadcast signal transmitting device, the received content signal can be edited and transmitted in real time. become.

Further, the broadcast signal transmission system of the present invention comprises:
Preferably, the content signal transmitting device includes a plurality of the content signal transmitting devices, the broadcast signal generating device includes storage means for storing broadcast signal transmission schedule data, and the plurality of content signal transmission devices are configured based on the broadcast signal transmission schedule data. One or more content signals are selected from the plurality of content signals received from the transmission device, and the broadcast signal is generated by adding the characteristic signal to the selected content signal.

Further, the broadcast signal transmitting and receiving system of the present invention comprises: a broadcast signal transmitting apparatus for generating and transmitting a plurality of channels of broadcast signals each including a content signal and a characteristic signal indicating the characteristic of the content signal; Broadcast signal receiving means for receiving a broadcast signal of the channel, and storage means for storing selection reference data referred to when selecting a content signal to be edited among the received content signals of the plurality of channels, Using the selected reference data and the characteristic signal included in the received broadcast signal, select a content signal of a plurality of channels from the received broadcast signal and edit the selected content signal to generate an output signal. And a broadcast signal receiving device having output signal generating means.

In the broadcast signal transmitting / receiving system of the present invention, a broadcast signal transmitting apparatus generates broadcast signals of a plurality of channels each including a content signal and a characteristic signal indicating the characteristic of the content signal, and transmits the broadcast signal. You. Then, the broadcast signals of the plurality of channels are
The broadcast signal is received by the broadcast signal receiving means of the broadcast signal receiving device. Next, in the output signal generating means of the broadcast signal receiving device, using the selected reference data and the characteristic signal included in the received broadcast signal, a content signal of a plurality of channels is selected from the received broadcast signal, An output signal is generated by editing the selected content signal.

Further, the broadcast signal receiving method of the present invention receives a broadcast signal of a plurality of channels each including a content signal and a characteristic signal indicating the characteristic of the content signal, and receives the broadcast signal of the plurality of channels. Using the selected reference data referred to when selecting a content signal to be edited and the characteristic signal included in the received broadcast signal, selecting a content signal of a plurality of channels from the received broadcast signal Then, the selected content signal is edited to generate an output signal.

The broadcast signal transmitting method according to the present invention may further comprise a content signal and a characteristic signal indicating a characteristic of the content signal used when a content signal of a plurality of channels is edited on the receiving side to generate an output signal. Is generated and transmitted.

The broadcast signal transmitting / receiving method according to the present invention generates and transmits a plurality of channels of broadcast signals each including a content signal and a characteristic signal indicating characteristics of the content signal, and transmits the plurality of channels of broadcast signals. By using the selected reference data and the characteristic signal included in the received broadcast signal to be referred to when selecting a content signal to be edited from among the received content signals of the plurality of channels, A content signal of a plurality of channels is selected from the received broadcast signal, and the selected content signal is edited to generate an output signal.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a broadcasting system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a broadcast system 1 of the present embodiment. Overview As shown in [Overall Configuration] FIG broadcasting system 1, the broadcasting system 1, for example, the broadcast signal transmitting apparatus 2 ₁ to 2 s + _t, a broadcast signal generating unit 3 ₁ to 3 n + _m, the content (Contents ) Signal transmission device 4
₁ to 4 _{P + q,} with the internet 5, the broadcast signal receiving apparatus 6 ₁ to 6 _r and the communication satellite 7. Where s,
t, n, m, p, q, and r are any integer of 1 or more.

[Overview of Overall Operation] In the broadcast system 1,
For example, the content signal is generated by one or more content providers, the generated content signal, the content provider is stored in the library memory of the content signal transmitting apparatus 4 within _one to 4 p + _q owned. In the present embodiment, the content signal is at least one digital signal of a video signal, an audio signal, and a computer signal to be served.

Next, the content signal transmitting devices 4 ₁ to 4
_{p + q} is stored in the content signal S4 ₁ ~S4 _{P + q} is,
A predetermined schedule, is transmitted to the designated broadcast signal generating unit 3 ₁ ~3 n + _m via the Internet 5.

Next, the broadcast signal generating unit 3 ₁ ~3 n + _m which the service provider owns, one or more content signal transmitting apparatus 4 ₁ to 4 P + _q content signal S4 ₁ to S4 received from P _{+ q} is selected and edited, a predetermined schedule, carried out in real-time or non-real time, the broadcast signal S3 ₁ ~S3 n + _m digital format of each channel is generated. At this time, the broadcast signal S
3 The _{1 ~S3} n + _m, service characteristics signal used in the editing process in the broadcasting signal receiving apparatus 6 ₁ to 6 _r (characteristic signal of the present invention) is added. In addition, the broadcast signal S3 ₁ ~S3
_n is the broadcast signal of the main channel, and the broadcast signal S3 _{n + 1}
ＳS3 _{n + m} are the broadcast signals of the slave channels. here,
Broadcast signal of the main channel, the broadcast signal receiving apparatus ₆₁ through
For example selected by the channel selection operation by the subscriber in _r, the broadcast signal of the sub channel, the selection of the original subscriber data (present invention showing the personal information of the broadcasting signal receiving apparatus 6 ₁ to 6 _r example individual subscriber Reference data).

Next, broadcast signal generating unit 3 ₁ to 3 _{n +} broadcast signal transmitting apparatus specified by the _m 2 _{1 ~2 s + t,} broadcast signal S3 ₁ ~S3 _{n + m} is via the Internet 5 Sent. The broadcast signal transmitting apparatus 2 ₁ ~2 _{s + t} broadcasting signal S2 corresponding to the broadcast signal S3 ₁ ~S3 _{n + m} received in
_{1 ~S2} s + _t is transmitted via the communication satellite 7 are received by the broadcast signal receiving apparatus 6 ₁ to 6 _r.

In the broadcast signal receivers 6 _{1 to} 6 _r , one of the main channel broadcast signals S 2 _{1 to S} 2 _s selected (designated) by the subscriber is replaced with the slave channel broadcast signal _S 2 _{s. An} output signal is generated by editing using a broadcast signal of one or more sub-channels automatically selected based on the original subscriber data (selection reference data) among _{+1 to} S2 _{s + t} , and the output signal is generated. Output (video output and / or audio output) according to the signal is performed.

Details of Components of Broadcast System 1 [Content Signal Transmitting Devices 4 ₁ to 4 _{p + q} ] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the content signal transmitting devices 4 ₁ to 4 _{p + q} . Content signal transmitting apparatus 4 ₁ ~4 p + _q is, for example, the same for both configurations. 2, the content signal transmitter 4 ₁ ~4 p + _q is, for example, the library memory 40
_{1-40 3,} the interface circuit 40 _4, switching circuit 41, a memory 42 _{1-42 4,} the signal generating circuit 43, control circuit 44, an encoder circuit 45, interface circuit 4
6, an input unit 47, a memory 48, a decoder circuit 49, and a schedule table generation circuit 400.

The library memory 40 _{1-40 3} stores the content signal S40 ₁ ~S40 ₃ the content provider has collected and created, respectively. Interface circuit 40 ₄ outputs the content signal S40 ₄ received by the internet or a wireless system to the switch circuit 41. Content signal S40 ₄ is the content signal, such as a baseball video eg live.

The switching circuit 41 based on the control signal S44 ₁ input from the control circuit 44, between the library memory 40 _{1-40 3} and the memory 42 ₁ to 42 ₃ and interface 40 ₄ and the memory 42 _4, individual , One of a connected state and a non-connected state is selected and set. Memory 42 _{1-42 3,} when it becomes a connection state between the respective library memory 40 _{1-40 3} through the switching circuit 41, respectively library memory 40
Stores content signal input from _{1-40 3.} Further, the memory 42 _4, when the connected state to the interface circuit 40 ₄ through the switch circuit 41, stores the content signal interface circuit 40 ₄ is received. Further, the memory 42 ₁ to 42 _4, based on the control signal S44 ₂ input from the control circuit 44 reads the content signal which is stored and output to the signal generating circuit 43.

The signal generation circuit 43 includes memories 42 _{1 to} 42
₄ to each of the content signals input from
Adding content characteristic signal S44 ₃ input from generates a content signal S43, the the content signal S4
3 is output to the encoder circuit 45. Content characteristic signal S44 ₃ is a characteristic of the contents of the corresponding content signal, the broadcast signal generator 3 transmits the content signal
_This signal indicates an address of _{1 to} 3n _{+ m on} the Internet line 5. Characteristics of the content of the content characteristic signal S44 ₃ content signal indicating, for example, if the corresponding content signal is a signal of the movie is a movie title or time.

The encoder circuit 45 includes a signal generation circuit 43
Encodes the content signal S43 input from the generate content signal S4 ₁ ~S4 p + _q, and outputs this to internet 5 via the interface circuit 46. Content signal S4 ₁ ~S4 p + _q is received by the broadcast signal generator 3 ₁ ~3 n + _m of address on the internet 5 contained within the signal.

The decoder circuit 49 is inputted from the broadcast signal receiving apparatus 6 ₁ to 6 _r via the interface circuit 46 and the internet 5, the subscriber characteristic signal content provider (channel selection history data of the present invention)
S6b ₁ ~S6b _r decodes the, generates a content provider for the subscriber characteristic signal S49, the memory 4 it
8 is output. The contents of the content provider subscriber characteristic signal will be described later.

The memory 48 stores the content provider subscriber characteristic signal S49 input from the decoder circuit 49.

The input unit 47, corresponding to the operation by the content provider, and outputs an operation signal S47a to generate a content characteristic signal S44 ₃ to the control circuit 44.
Also, the input unit 47 outputs a schedule table generation instruction signal S47b to the schedule table generation circuit 400 according to the operation by the content provider.

The schedule table generation circuit 400 generates the content signal transmission schedule table data based on the content provider subscriber characteristic signal S49 stored in the memory 48 and the schedule table generation instruction signal S47b input from the input unit 47. S441 is created automatically,
Based on the created content signal transmission schedule table data S441, the content signal transmission schedule table data S4 stored in the memory 441 shown in FIG.
41 is updated at a predetermined time interval or at a predetermined time. Content signal transmission schedule table data S441, for example, the content signal received via the content signal and the interface circuit 40 ₄ is stored in the library memory 40 _{1-40 3,} content signal S43
Shows the schedule of the time to be output.

The schedule table generating circuit 400 automatically determines, for example, all or part of the schedule of the content signal to be transmitted thereafter, based on the content provider subscriber characteristic signal S49. Thus, for example, if the audience rating of a program featuring a particular person is very high, the schedule may be determined so that another content signal related to the person is transmitted following the program. It is possible. In the present embodiment,
As described above, the case where the schedule table generation circuit 400 generates the content signal transmission schedule table data S441 has been described as an example. In the present invention, however, the content provider subscriber characteristic signal S49 stored in the memory 48 is used.
The content provider transmits the content signal transmission schedule table data S44
1 may be created by itself.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the control circuit 44. As shown in FIG. 3, the control circuit 44 has a timer 440, a memory 441, and a signal generation circuit 442. Timer 4
40 performs clocking and outputs a time signal S440 indicating the time to the signal generation circuit 441. The memory 441 stores the content signal transmission schedule table data S441 input from the schedule table generation circuit 400 shown in FIG.

The signal generating circuit 442 refers to the content signal transmission schedule table data S441 stored in the memory 441, and refers to the schedule table data S44.
1 so that the content signal S43 corresponding to 1 is transmitted.
Generating a control signal S44 _1, S44 ₂ and the content characteristic signal S44 _3. At this time, the signal generation circuit 442
Is, for example, inputs an operation signal S47a in response to operation of the input unit 47 by the content provider, based on the operation signal S47a, it generates a content characteristic signal S44 _3. The signal generating circuit 442, a broadcast signal generating unit 3 ₁ to 3 trying to send content signal S43
The address on the Internet line 5 of _{n + m,} is added to the content characteristic signal S44 _3.

[0040] In the example shown in FIG. 2, three library memory 40 _{1-40 3} and one a case has been exemplified in which a interface circuit 40 _4, the number of libraries memory and interface circuitry is optional is there. In this case, when the number of library memories and interface circuits is changed, the memories 42 _{1 to} 42 ₄ are correspondingly changed.
Also change the number of.

[Broadcast signal generators 3 _{1 to} 3 _{n + m} ] FIG.
Is a configuration diagram of a broadcast signal generating unit 3 ₁ ~3 n + _m. Broadcasting signal generating apparatus 3 ₁ ~3 n + _m, for example, have together the same configuration. As shown in FIG. 4, the broadcast signal generation device 3 ₁
To 3 _{n + m} is, for example, the interface circuit 30 ₁ to 30
₄ , library memories 30 ₅ and 30 ₆ , switch circuit 3
1, memories 32 _{1 to} 32 ₆ , signal generation circuit 33, control circuit 34, encoder circuit 35, interface circuit 3
6, an input unit 37, a memory 38, a decoder circuit 39, and a schedule table generation circuit 300.

The interface circuits 30 ₁ to 30 ₄ receive the content signals 4 ₁ from the content signal transmitting devices 4 ₁ to 4 _{p + q} connected via the Internet line 5, respectively.
４4 _{p + q} is input and output to the switch circuit 41. The library memories 30 ₅ and 30 ₆ store content signals collected and created by the service provider, respectively.

The switching circuit 31, the control circuit 34 based on the control signal S34 ₁ input from the interface circuit 30 ₁ to 30 ₄ and the memory 321 _to 323 ₄ and the library memory 30 _5, 40 ₆ and a memory 32 _5, 32 ₆ is set individually to one of the connected state and the disconnected state. Also, the switch circuit 31
Is a content signal from the interface circuit 30 ₁ to 30 ₄ and the library memory 30 _5, 30 _6, when the output to the memory 321 _to 323 ₆ each content signal characteristic signal added to the content signal to the output S31a is extracted and output to the control circuit 34.

The memories 32 _{1 to} 32 ₄ include the switch circuit 3
Each interface circuit 30 through the 1 ₁ - 30 ₄
When a connection state between the to each store a content signal interface circuit 30 ₁ to 30 ₄ received. The memory 32 _5, 32 _6, when it is via the switch circuit 31 and the library memory 30 _5, 30 ₆ in the connected state, respectively library memory 30 _5,
Stores content signal input from 30 _6. Also,
Memory 32 _{1-32 6} based on the control signal S34 ₂ input from the control circuit 34 reads the content signal which is stored and output to the signal generating circuit 33.

The signal generating circuit 33 based on the control signal S34 ₄ from the control circuit 34, generates a broadcasting signal S33 edit optionally one or more content signals input from the memory 321 _to 323 ₆ I do. For example, the signal generating circuit 33, when a plurality of content signal input from the memory 321 _to 323 ₆ comprises a respective video signal,
Editing is performed to generate the broadcast signal S33 so that the images corresponding to the plurality of content signals are simultaneously displayed at predetermined positions on the screen in a predetermined size. The signal generating circuit 33, for example, video corresponding to a plurality of content signal input from the memory 321 _to 323 _6, so as to be displayed on the screen to different time zones, the broadcast signal by performing editing Generate S33. Further, the signal generation circuit 33
For example, at least one content signal among a plurality of content signal input from the memory 321 _to 323 ₆ are video signals, if at least one other of the content signal is an acoustic signal, and a display corresponding to a video signal Editing is performed to generate a broadcast signal S33 so that the sound corresponding to the sound signal is output in synchronization with the sound signal.

The signal generation circuit 33 includes a control circuit 34
By adding a service characteristic signal S34 ₃ input and generates a broadcast signal S33 from. Here, the service characteristic signal S3
4 _3, based on a predetermined classification, shows the characteristic of the content of the content signal included in the broadcast signal, for example, if the corresponding content signal is a signal of the movie represents a classification "movie" If the signal is a baseball signal, the classification is "baseball". If the signal is a car advertisement, the classification is "car". If the advertisement is a baby product, the classification is "baby products". I have. In addition, the service characteristics signal S34 _3, for example, the corresponding content signal, if it is news of the signal, should be broadcasting the news, the classification of the region, for example, "national", "Kanto" and "Kansai", etc. Is shown. Also, the service characteristic signal S34
₃ include address on internet 5 of the broadcast signal transmitting apparatus 2 ₁ ~2 s + _t of transmitting the corresponding content signals. Furthermore, the service characteristics signal S34 ₃ to be added to the content signal of the main channel, one or more sub-channel content signal of interest to be edited with the content signal _r the channel in the broadcast signal receiving apparatus ₆₁ through Is included.

The encoder circuit 35 includes a signal generation circuit 33
It encodes the broadcast signal S33 inputted to generate a broadcast signal S3 ₁ ~S3 n + _m from outputs this to internet 5 via the interface circuit 36. Broadcast signal S3 ₁ ~S3 n + _m is a broadcast signal transmitting apparatus 2 ₁ to 2 of address on the Internet line 5 contained in the signal
Received at _{s + t} .

[0048] The decoder circuit 39, interface circuit 36 and the Internet inputted from the broadcast signal receiving apparatus 6 ₁ to 6 _r via the line 5, (channel selection history data of the present invention) subscriber characteristics signal for the service provider S
Decodes 6a ₁ ~S6a _r, to generate a subscriber characteristic signal S39 for the service provider, and outputs it to the memory 38. Here, the contents of the service provider subscriber characteristic signal will be described later.

The memory 38 stores the service provider subscriber characteristic signal S39 input from the decoder circuit 39.

The input unit 37 outputs according to the operation by the service provider, an operation signal S37a to generate a service characteristic signal S34 ₃ to the control circuit 34. Further, the input unit 37 outputs a schedule table generation instruction signal S37b to the schedule table generation circuit 300 according to the operation by the service provider.

The schedule table generation circuit 300 generates broadcast signal transmission schedule table data based on the service provider subscriber characteristic signal S39 stored in the memory 38 and the schedule table generation instruction signal S37b input from the input unit 37. S341 is automatically created, and based on the created broadcast signal transmission schedule table data S341, the broadcast signal transmission schedule table data S341 stored in the memory 341 shown in FIG. 5 is updated at predetermined time intervals or at predetermined times. I do. The broadcast signal transmission schedule table data S341 includes, for example, the interface circuit 3
0 ₁ - 30 ₄ content signal and library memories 30 ₅ received via the 30 content signals stored in ₆ shows a scheduling time for sending included in the broadcast signal S33.

The schedule table generating circuit 300 automatically determines, for example, all or a part of the schedule of a broadcast signal to be provided thereafter, based on the content provider subscriber characteristic signal S39. Thus, as in the case of the schedule table generation circuit 400 described above, for example, when the audience rating of a program featuring a special feature of a certain person is extremely high, other programs related to the person may follow the program. It is also possible to determine a schedule so as to transmit a content signal. In the present embodiment, as described above, the case where the schedule table generation circuit 300 generates the broadcast signal transmission schedule table data S341 has been described, but in the present invention, the service provider subscriber stored in the memory 38 is used. The service provider may create the broadcast signal transmission schedule table data S341 by using the channel designation history indicated by the characteristic signal S39.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the control circuit 34. As shown in FIG. 5, the control circuit 34 includes a timer 340, a memory 341, a signal generation circuit 342, a buffer circuit 343, and a decoder circuit 344. The timer 440 performs clocking, and outputs a time signal S440 indicating the time to the signal generation circuit 441. The memory 341 stores the broadcast signal transmission schedule table data S341 input from the schedule table generation circuit 300 shown in FIG.

The buffer circuit 343 includes the switch circuit 31
Is temporarily stored and output to the decoder circuit 344. Decoder circuit 3
44 outputs the content characteristic signal S344 obtained by decoding the content characteristic signal S31a to the signal generation circuit 342.

The signal generation circuit 342 generates the broadcast signal transmission schedule table data S 34 stored in the memory 341.
Referring to 1 and the content characteristic signal S344, so that the broadcast signal S33 in response to the broadcast signal transmitting schedule data S341 is sent, the control signal S34 _1, S3
4 generates a _2, S34 ₄ and service characteristics signal S34 _3. At this time, the signal generating circuit 342 inputs the operation signal S37a from the input unit 37, based on the operation signal S37, the generating the service characteristic signal S34 _3. Also,
Signal generating circuit 342, the address on the Internet line 5 of the broadcast signal transmitting apparatus 2 ₁ ~2 s + _t to be sent a broadcast signal S33, is added to the service characteristic signal S34 _3.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the case where four interface circuits 30 ₁ to 30 ₄ and two library memories 30 ₅ and 30 ₆ are provided is exemplified, but the number is arbitrary. In this case, when you change the number, also change the number of the memory 321 _to 323 ₆ accordingly.

[0057] [broadcast signal transmitting apparatus 2 ₁ ~2 _{s + t]} FIG 6
Is a configuration diagram of a broadcast signal transmitting apparatus 2 ₁ ~2 s + _t. Broadcast signal transmitting apparatus 2 ₁ ~2 s + _t may be, for example, have together the same configuration. As shown in FIG. 6, the broadcast signal transmitting device 2 ₁
２2s _{+ t} includes, for example, an interface circuit 20, an encoder circuit 21, and an antenna 22. Interface circuit 20 is connected to the internet 5, and outputs a broadcast signal S3 ₁ ~S3 m + _n input from one broadcasting signal generating apparatus 3 ₁ ~3 m + _n in the encoder circuit 21.

The encoder circuit 21 performs scramble processing, scramble key multiplexing processing, frequency conversion processing, and the like on the input broadcast signals S3 _{1 to} S3 _{m + n} , and performs the broadcast signal S2 ₁ of the frequency of the assigned channel. ~ S
2 Generate _{s + t} .

The antenna 22 outputs the broadcast signals S2 _{1 to} S2
_{s + t} a broadcast signal receiving apparatus via the communication satellite 7 6 ₁ to 6 _r
Send to

[Broadcast signal receiving devices 6 _{1 to} 6 _r ] FIG.
It is a configuration diagram of a broadcast signal receiving apparatus 6 ₁ to 6 _r. Broadcasting signal receiving apparatus 6 ₁ to 6 _r is, for example, the same for both configurations. As shown in FIG. 7, the broadcast signal receiving apparatus ₆₁ through
_r is, for example, the receiving circuit 60, the switching circuit 61, the memories 62 _{1 to} 62 ₆ , the output signal generating circuit 63, the control circuit 6
4. Main channel selector 65, decoder circuits 66 _{1 to} 6
_{6. 6,} the output device 67, an interface circuit 68 and antenna 69.

[0061] The antenna 69, the broadcast signal transmitting apparatus 2 ₁ -
2 _{s + t} broadcast signal S2 of a plurality of channels transmitted from _{s + t
1} received via the communication satellite 7 to ~S2 s + _t, and outputs a broadcast signal S2 ₁ ~S2 s + _t where the received to the receiving circuit 60.

The main channel selection section 65 outputs the main channel selection instruction signal S65 selected (specified) in accordance with the operation by the subscriber to the receiving circuit 60 and the control circuit 64.

[0063] receiver circuit 60, of the broadcast signal S2 ₁ ~S2 s + _t of a plurality of channels received, the broadcast signal of the main channel indicated by the main channel selection instruction signal S45 and illustrates sub-channel selection instruction signal S64 ₄ is A broadcast signal of the slave channel is extracted, and a broadcast signal S60 obtained by performing descrambling processing on the extracted broadcast signal is output to the switch circuit 61.

[0064] The switch circuit 61 based on the control signal S64 ₁ input from the control circuit 64, and outputs a content signal of the broadcast signal S60 inputted from the receiving circuit 60, for each channel, the decoder circuit 66 ₁ to 66 ₆ . The switch circuit 61 extracts the service characteristic signal S61a included in the broadcast signal S60 of each channel input from the receiving circuit 60, and outputs the extracted service characteristic signal S61a to the control circuit 64.

[0065] The decoder circuit 66 ₁ to 66 _6, based on the control signal S64 ₂ input from the control circuit 64 decodes the content signal of one channel inputted respectively outputted to the memory 62 ₁ to 62 _6. Memory 62 ₁ ~
62 ₆ stores the content signal input from the decoder circuit 66 ₁ to 66 _6.

The output signal generation circuit 63 includes memories 62 ₁ to 62 ₁ .
A content signal of each channel input from 62 _6,
Based on the control signal S64 ₃ from the control circuit 64, the editing is performed to generate the output signal S63. The details of the editing will be described later in the description of the signal generation circuit 642 shown in FIG.

In response to the operation of the subscriber, the input section 70 operates, for example, an operation signal S70a indicating the personal information of the subscriber for creating or updating the original subscriber data, and a sub-selector designated by the subscriber. An operation signal S70b indicating channel information is output to the control circuit 64. Input unit 70
Selection of the slave channel by the subscriber using
This is performed, for example, when the subscriber selects one of the sub-channels that provide Japanese audio and the sub-channel that provides English audio when the main channel is a movie program.

The output device 67 is, for example, a display and a speaker, and performs video display and audio output according to the output signal S63.

The interface circuit 68 includes a control circuit 64
Service provider subscriber characteristic signal S6 input from
The a ₁ ~S6a _r, via the Internet 5, and outputs the broadcast signal generating unit 3 ₁ ~3 _{n + m.} The interface circuit 68, the subscriber characteristics for the content provider inputted from the control circuit 64 signals S6b ₁ ~S6b
The _r, via the Internet 5, and outputs the content signal transmitting apparatus 4 ₁ ~4 p + _q.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of the control circuit 64. As shown in FIG. 8, the control circuit 64 includes a timer 640, a memory 641, a signal generation circuit 642, a buffer circuit 643,
It has a decoder circuit 644, an original subscriber data update circuit 645, and a subscriber characteristic signal generation circuit 646.
The timer 640 performs clocking and a time signal S6 indicating the time.
40 is output to the signal generation circuit 642. Memory 641
Stores original subscriber data (selection reference data of the present invention) S641. Original subscriber data S6
Reference numeral 41 denotes, for example, as shown in FIG. 9A, the identification code “ID” of the subscriber, the address “address”, the zip code “zip code”, the name “name”, and the selection (designation) history of the main channel. channel ", a classification of subscriber's favorite characteristics" preferences ", set
Top box information "set top info"
And other information.

The buffer circuit 643 includes the switch circuit 61
Is temporarily stored and output to the decoder circuit 644. Decoder circuit 64
4 outputs the service characteristic signal S644 obtained by decoding the service characteristic signal S61a to the signal generation circuit 642 and the original subscriber data update circuit 645.

The signal generation circuit 642 includes a decoder circuit 64
4 service characteristic signal S64 of the main channel inputted from
4, a sub-channel selection instruction for specifying a sub-channel to be extracted in the receiving circuit 60 based on the information specifying the sub-channel indicated by the operation signal S70b and the sub-channel specified by the subscriber. It generates a signal S64 _4, and outputs this to the receiving circuit 60.

The signal generation circuit 642 outputs the content signal of the main channel specified by the main channel selection instruction signal S65 and the content signal of the sub-channel specified by the operation signal S70b to the output signal generation circuit 63. Control signals S64 ₁ , S6
4 ₂ and S64 ₃ are generated, and these are connected to the switch circuit 61,
Decoder circuits 66 _{1 to} 66 ₆ and output signal generation circuit 6
Output to 3. In this case, for example, when the subscriber operates the main channel selection unit 65 to select the main channel of the movie program, and operates the input unit 70 to select the sub-channel that provides Japanese audio, The content signal of the movie program and the content signal of Japanese audio are output to the output signal generation circuit 63 in synchronization with each other.

[0074] The signal generating circuit 642, for example, among the sub-channel is specified selected by sub-channel selection instruction signal S64 _4, for example, the original subscriber data S64 shown in FIG stored in the memory 641 9 (A)
The classification of the characteristic of the subscriber's preference included in "1.
, the service characteristic signal S61a of the slave channel is determined.
Control signals S64 ₁ , S64 ₂ , S64 ₃ so as to output to the output signal generation circuit 63 a broadcast signal of the sub-channel selected based on the original subscriber data S641.
Generate In this case, for example, the content signal of the sub-channel of the car ads are stored in the memory 62 _5, the content signal of the slave channel of baby products of advertising has been stored in the memory 62 _6, the original subscriber data S641 Of the subscriber's favorite characteristics included in
If the by references "the subscriber has been shown to prefer car, content signal car advertisement stored in the memory 62 _5, predetermined in the broadcast time of the main channel movie program During advertising hours,
The output signal is output to the output signal generation circuit 63, and an output signal S 63 corresponding to the output signal is output to the output device 67.

[0075] The signal generating circuit 642, the output signal generating circuit 63, so that the editing as described below is performed, to generate a control signal S64 _3. For example, the signal generating circuit 642, when outputting from the memory 62 ₁ to 62 ₆ into a plurality of simultaneously output signal generating circuit 63 a content signal of a video, an image corresponding to the plurality of content signal, the predetermined on-screen as edited simultaneously displaying a predetermined size is performed by the output signal generating circuit 63 in position, it generates a control signal S64 _3. This, for example, on the screen,
This is a case where editing for simultaneously displaying a movie image and an advertisement image is performed. Further, the signal generation circuit 642 includes, for example,
As to the output signal generating circuit 63 from the memory 62 ₁ to 62 ₆ different times the content signal of the plurality of images, generates a control signal S64 _2, S64 _3. this is,
For example, there is a case where display of a movie image is interrupted during a predetermined time zone within a broadcast time of a movie program, and editing for displaying an advertisement image is performed. Further, the signal generating circuit 642, for example, when output from the memory 321 _to 323 ₆ and the content signal of the at least one image, at least one other audio content signals are simultaneously output signal generating circuit 63, In the output signal S63, control signals S64 ₂ and S64 ₃ are generated so that video and audio are synchronized.

Original subscriber data update circuit 645
The main channel selection (designation) history shown in FIG. 9 (A) is obtained by using information such as the subscriber's channel selection history and preferences obtained based on the main channel selection instruction signal S65 and the service characteristic signal S61a. channel
l ", a classification of the subscriber's favorite characteristics" preference "
es ”or the like is updated or newly created. Further, the original subscriber data updating circuit 645, based on the operation signal S70a input in response to the operation of the input unit 70 by the subscriber, for example, displays the address “addres” shown in FIG.
s ", zip code" zipcode ", name" nam "
e ", a classification of the subscriber's favorite characteristics" preference "
es ", set top box information" set t
op info ”and so on.

The subscriber characteristic signal generation circuit 646 generates the original subscriber data S 64 stored in the memory 641.
1 Type and generates a subscriber characteristic signal S6a ₁ ~S6a _r for the service provider shown in FIG. 9 (B), which FIG. 9
Encrypted as shown in (D) via the interface circuit 68 and the internet 5 shown in FIG. 7, and outputs the broadcast signal generating unit 3 ₁ ~3 n + _m. Here, the service provider for the subscriber characteristic signal S6a ₁ ~S6a _r, as shown in FIG. 9 (B), includes the selection history and preference information of the subscriber of the main channel, the subscriber personal The information includes only the area of residence “area code”. That is, the service provider for the subscriber characteristic signal S6a ₁ ~S6a _r, contains only the data required for the broadcast signal transmitting scheduling in the schedule table generating circuit 300 shown in FIG.

Further, the subscriber characteristic signal generation circuit 646
9 subscriber characteristic signal content provider shown in (C) S6b ₁ generates ~S6b _r, interface circuit 68 which is shown in FIG. 7 encrypted as shown in FIG. 9 (E)
And via the Internet 5, and outputs the content signal transmitting apparatus 4 ₁ ~4 p + _q. Here, the subscriber characteristic signal content provider S6b ₁ ~S6b _r,
As shown in FIG. 9C, only the main channel selection history is included. That is, the content provider for the subscriber characteristic signal S6b ₁ ~S6b _r, contain only the data necessary for the content signal transmission scheduling in the schedule table generating circuit 400 shown in FIG.

[0079] In the example shown in FIG. 7, a case has been exemplified in which a six decoder circuits 66 ₁ to 66 ₆ and the memory 62 ₁ to 62 _6, these numbers are arbitrary.

Example of Operation of Broadcasting System 1 FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the broadcasting system 1. In the case shown in FIG. 10, the content signal transmitting apparatus 4 _1, 4 p _{+ 1} and 4 from the _{p + 2} to the broadcasting signal generating apparatus 3 ₁ via the Internet 5, the content signals S4 ₁ of each movie image, the 1 ad content signal S4 p _{+ 1} and the content signal S4 p _{+ 2} of the second advertisement video image is transmitted. Also, the broadcast signal generators 3 _{n + 1} , 3 _{n + 2} , 3 _n from the content signal transmitters 4 _{p + 3} , 4 _{p + 4} and 4 _{p + 5} via the Internet line 5.
_{In n + 3} , the nationwide version of the news video and audio content signal S4 _{p + 3} , the Tokyo version of the news video and audio content signal S4 _{p + 4,} and the Osaka version of the news video and audio content signal S4, respectively. _{p + 5} is sent. In this case, for example, the content signal transmitting apparatus 4 _1, and the content signal of the video of the movie in the library memory 40 ₁ as shown in FIG. 2 is stored, the signal generating the content signal through a switch circuit 41 and the memory 42 ₁ Output to the circuit 43. Then, the content signal of the movie, the content signal S43 is generated is added the content characteristic signal S44 ₃ including the characteristics of the contents of the address and the content signal on the internet 5 of the broadcast signal generator 3 ₁ . The content signal S43 is
After being encoded by the encoder circuit 45, it is transmitted to the broadcast signal generating unit 3 ₁ via the interface circuit 46 and the internet 5. The content signal transmitting devices 4 _{p + 1} , 4 _{p + 2} , 4 _{p + 3} , 4 _{p + 4} and 4
operation in _{p + 5} is also the same as the case of the content signal transmitting apparatus 4 ₁ described above.

Next, the broadcast signal generating unit 3 _1, the content signal S4 ₁ of each movie video content signal S4 of the first content signal S4 advertising video p _{+ 1} and the second advertisement image p _{+ 2} is output to the switch circuit 31 via the interface circuits 30 ₁ , 30 ₂ and 30 ₃ shown in FIG. At this time, the content signal S
4 ₁ , S4 _{p + 1} , S4 _{p + 2} , the content signal characteristic signal S31a is transmitted from the switch circuit 31 to the control circuit 34.
Is output to Then, in the control circuit 34, based on the content signal characteristic signal S31a and the broadcast signal transmission schedule table data S341 shown in FIG.
34 _1, S34 _2, S34 ₄ and service characteristics signal S
34 ₃ are generated, it is outputted to the switch circuit 31, a memory _{321 to} 323 and the signal generating circuit 33.

Thus, the content signals S4 ₁ , S4
_{p + 1,} S4 p + ₂ is, after being stored in the memory 32 _1, 32 ₂ and 32 _3, respectively, in the signal generating circuit 33, images corresponding to respective (movie video, image and the first ad new content signal editing is performed as a second advertising video) is displayed on one screen is generated and further, the newly generated content signal to a service characteristic signal S34 ₃ is added to with broadcast signals S33 is generated. In this case, the service characteristic signal S34 _3, for example, classified as "movie", and information indicating that the broadcast signals of the main channel, the broadcast signal transmitting apparatus 2 _{s + 1} for editing, _{2 s +} 2, 2 s ₊₃ and information specifying the broadcast signal of the slave channels transmitted from, include a broadcast signal transmitting apparatus 2 _first address on the internet 5 for transmitting the broadcast signal.

Next, in FIG. 4, the broadcast signal S33 is
It is encoded by the encoder circuit 35, via the interface circuit 36 and the internet 5, and transmitted to the broadcast signal transmitting apparatus 2 _1.

The broadcast signal generators 3 _{n + 1} , 3 _{n + 2} ,
3 _{n + 3} , the content signals S4 _{p + 3} , S
4 p _{+ 4,} S4 for p + _5, basically the above-described same process as the broadcasting signal generating apparatus 3 ₁ is performed, the broadcast signal S3 result is generated _{n + 1, S3 n + 2} , S3 n ₊₃ is the broadcast signal transmitting device _{s + 1} , 2 via the Internet line 5
Sent to _{s + 2} , 2 _{s + 3} . However, the broadcast signal S3 _{n + 1} ,
Service characteristic signal S3 added to S3 _{n + 2} and S3 _{n + 3}
4 to _3, classification and the information indicating that the broadcast signal of the slave channel, the broadcast signal transmitting apparatus 2 _{s + 1} on the internet 5 for transmitting the broadcast _{signal, 2 s + 2, 2 s} + 3 Address.

[0085] In the broadcast signal generator 3 _{n + 4,} for example, in the library memory 30 ₅ shown in FIG. 4, and Japanese audio content signal of the main channel movie is stored, sub-channel corresponding thereto Broadcast signal S3
_{n + 4} is transmitted to the broadcast signal transmitting apparatus 2 _{s + 4} via the Internet line 5. Similarly, the broadcast signal generating unit 3 _{n + 5,} for example, in the library memory 30 ₅ shown in FIG. 4, and English audio content signal of the main channel movie is stored, the sub-channel corresponding thereto The broadcast signal S3 _{n + 5} is transmitted to the broadcast signal transmission device 2 _{s + 5} via the Internet line 5.

Next, the broadcast signal transmitting apparatus 2 _1, broadcast signal S3 ₁ received from the broadcast signal generating unit 3 ₁ is output to the encoder circuit 21 via the interface circuit 20 shown in FIG. 6, the encoder circuit 21 broadcast signal S2 ₁ is generated by performing a like Soon rumble processing and frequency conversion processing. Then, the broadcast signal S2
_1, via the antenna 22 and the communication satellite 7, is transmitted to the broadcasting signal receiving apparatus 6 ₁ to 6 _r. Also, in the broadcast signal transmitters 2 _{s + 1} to 2 _{s + 5} , the broadcast signals S 3 _{n + 1} to
For S3 n + _5, the broadcast signal transmitting apparatus 2 ₁ and the same processing is performed, the results generated broadcast signal S2 s _{+ 1} to 2
_{s + 5,} via the antenna 22 and the communication satellite 7, is transmitted to the broadcasting signal receiving apparatus 6 ₁ to 6 _r.

[0087] Then, the broadcast signal S2 ₁ ~S2 _{s + m} is 7
To be received by the broadcast signal receiving apparatus 6 ₁ to 6 _r antenna 69 shown, when the broadcast signal S2 ₁ of the main channel by the main channel selection section 65 shown in FIG. 7 is selected, the broadcast signal S2 ₁ is, After being extracted by the receiving circuit 60, the signal is subjected to a descrambling process and output to the switch circuit 61 as a broadcast signal S60. Then, the service characteristic signal S61a of the main channel is output from the switch circuit 61 to the control circuit 64, and the buffer circuit 64 shown in FIG.
3 and the decoder circuit 644, the signal generation circuit 64
2 is output. Then, a slave channel selection instruction signal S64 instructing to select the broadcast signals S2 _{s + 1 to} S2 _{s + 5} of the slave channel generated based on the information specifying the slave channel included in the service characteristic signal S644.
₄ is output from the control circuit 64 shown in FIG. Then, in the receiving circuit 60, in addition to the broadcast signal S2 ₁ of the main channel, the broadcast signal S
2 s _{+ 1} ~S2 s _{+ 5} through the descrambling process after being extracted is output to the switch circuit 61 as a broadcast signal S60. Then, the service characteristic signal S61a included in the broadcast signals S2 _{s + 1 to} S2 _{s + 5} is extracted by the switch circuit 61 and output to the control circuit 64. The signal is transmitted through the buffer circuit 643 and the decoder circuit 644 shown in FIG. Output to the generation circuit 642.

[0088] Further, the switch circuit 61, through a decoding process in the decoder circuit 66 ₁ to 66 _6, the memory 62 ₁ to 62 _6, the broadcast signal S2 _1, S2 _s + ₁ ~S2
_The content signal included in _{s + 5} is stored. Specifically, the memory 62 ₁ content signal edited and generated movie image and the first advertisement image and a second advertisement image on one screen in the broadcasting signal generating apparatus 3 ₁ is stored,
The memory 62 ₂ stored news of video and audio content signal of the national edition is, the memory 62 ₃ news of video and audio content signal in the Kanto version is stored, the memory 62 ₄ of Kansai version News the stored content signal of the video and audio, in the memory 62 ₅ Japanese voice of the content signal of the movie is stored, the memory 62 ₆ English sound of the content signal of the movie is stored.

In the signal generation circuit 642 shown in FIG. 8, for example, when the subscriber operates the input unit 70 shown in FIG. 7 to select Japanese voice, the signal is generated based on the operation signal S70b corresponding thereto. , movies that are stored in the memory 62 _1, and the content signal you edit the first advertisement and the second ad on one screen, and the Japanese of the voice of the content signal of the movie, which is stored in the memory 62 _5, While synchronizing, it is output to the output device 67 as an output signal S63 within the movie broadcast time specified by the service characteristic signal S61a of the main channel. Thus, for example, as shown in FIG. 11 (A), (B) , between times t ₁ ~t _2, the display of the subscriber A, B of the broadcasting signal receiving apparatus 6 _and 62 of the output device 67 Movie, first ad and second
Is displayed on one screen, and a Japanese voice is output from the speaker in synchronization with the video.

[0090] Next, for example, at the national edition news broadcast time period has been determined in advance in the movie broadcast time that is specified by the main channel service characteristics signal S61a, the control signal S64 ₃ from the signal generating circuit 642 based on, the memory 62 _1, 62 output from the ₅ signal generation circuit 63
Output of the content signal to the memory 62 is stopped.
_The nationwide news video / audio content signal stored in ₂ is output to the output signal generation circuit 63, and an output signal S 63 corresponding to the content signal is output to the output device 67.
Thus, for example, as shown in FIG. 11 (A), (B) , between times t ₂ ~t _3, the display of the subscriber A, B of the broadcasting signal receiving apparatus 6 _and 62 of the output device 67 And a speaker, a national version of news video and audio is output.

[0091] Next, for example, at the regionals news broadcast time period has been determined in advance in the movie broadcast time that is specified by the main channel service characteristics signal S61a, the control signal S64 ₃ from the signal generating circuit 642 based on the output of the content signal from the memory 62 ₂ to the output signal generation circuit 63 is stopped, on the basis of the address information "address" contained in the original subscriber data S641 shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 (a), the memory 62 ₃ content signal news video and audio Kanto version stored in, one of the news content signal of the video and audio of Kansai version stored in the memory 62 ₄ is selected in FIG. 6 Output signal generation circuit 63 shown in FIG.
Thus, for example, subscriber A lives in Kanto,
If Subscriber B lives in Kansai, FIG. 11 (A)
As shown in, between times t ₂ ~t _3, the broadcast signal receiving apparatus ₆₁ in the Kanto version news video and audio of the subscriber A is output from the output device 67, as shown in FIG. 11 (B) , the broadcast signal receiver of the 6 ₂ Kansai version news video and audio of the subscriber B is output from the output device 67.

Next, for example, at time t ₄ shown in FIG.
When the predetermined local newscasting time period ends within the movie broadcasting time specified by the service characteristic signal S61a of the main channel, for example, FIG.
Movies stored in the memory 62 ₁ as shown in, the content signal editing the first advertisement and the second advertisement on one screen, and a Japanese audio content signal of the movie stored in the memory 62 ₅ , While synchronizing, the output signal S
It is output to the output device 67 as 63. Thus, for example, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, after time t ₄ , the movie is displayed on the display of the output device 67 of the broadcast signal receiving devices 6 ₁ and 6 ₂ of the subscribers A and B, and the first movie is displayed. Advertising and second
Is displayed, and a Japanese voice is output from the speaker in synchronization with the video.

The operation example of the broadcasting system 1 described above is an example, and the operation form can be variously modified.
For example, in the operation example described above, for example, at time t ₃ ~t ₄ shown in FIG. 11, in accordance with the living area of the individual subscribers, when outputting the news video and audio with different local version for each subscriber However, according to the preference of each individual subscriber, a different advertisement video / audio may be output for each subscriber. In the operation example described above, FIG.
At time t ₁ ~t ₂ shown in movie according to the broadcast signal of the main channel has been exemplified a case in which the video output of the first advertisement and the second advertisement, for example, the content signal of the first ad By transmitting and receiving the content signal of the second advertisement using the broadcast signal of a different sub-channel, the video of the movie and the video of the first advertisement and the video of the second advertisement can be selected according to the preference of each subscriber. It is also possible to output one advertisement video on one screen.

As described above, according to the broadcasting system 1, the broadcast signal receivers 6 _{1 to} 6 _{r determine the} location or preference of the subscriber (user) among the plurality of received sub-channels. The output signal S63 can be generated by automatically selecting one or more slave channels according to the characteristics. That is, in the broadcasting signal receiving apparatus 6 ₁ to 6 _r,
Regarding the service provided by the received sub-channel broadcast signal, the service characteristic signal S61a added to the received sub-channel and the original subscriber data S shown in FIG.
641, the service of the channel matching the characteristics of the individual subscriber can be provided automatically.

[0095] Further, according to the broadcasting system 1, as shown in FIG. 1, between the content signal transmitting apparatus 4 ₁ to 4 p + _q broadcast signal generator 3 ₁ to 3 n + _m, and the broadcast signal between the generator 3 ₁ ~3 n + _m and the broadcast signal transmitting apparatus 2 ₁ ~2 s + _t is because it is connected via the Internet 5, the broadcast signal generating unit 3 ₁ ~3 n + _m in the content signal S4 ₁ ~S4 _{p + q} received from the content signal transmitting apparatus 4 ₁ ~4 _{p + q} edit in real-time to generate a broadcast signal S3 ₁ ~S3 _{n + m,} the broadcast signal S3 ₁
The to S3 _{n + m} in real time, the broadcast signal transmitting apparatus 2 ₁ -
Broadcast signal receiver 6 ₁ via 2 _{s + q} and communication satellite 7
It can be sent to ~6 _r.

[0096] Further, according to the broadcasting system 1, the broadcast signal receiving apparatus ₆₁ for the service provider indicating the main channel of the selection history of the subscriber in to 6 _r subscriber characteristic signal S6
a ₁ ~S6a _r and content providers for subscriber characteristic signal S6b ₁ ~S6b _r is, via the Internet 5, the broadcast signal generator respectively 3 ₁ ~3 _{n + m} and the content signal transmitting apparatus 4 ₁ to 4 _{p +} are sent to _q, it is reflected in real time to create the broadcast signal transmitting schedule data S341 and the content signal transmission schedule table data S441. Therefore, the subscriber's preference for the program can be promptly reflected in the subsequent program schedule.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, when the content signal included in the broadcast signal of the slave channel indicates banner data including an address on the Internet line 5 of a computer that provides information related to the content signal of the main channel, the broadcast signal receiving device 6 ₁ in to 6 _r output device 67, an icon corresponding to the banner data displayed together with the main channel video, the subscriber by clicking on the icon using a mouse, the address of the banner data indicates the computer May be automatically connected via the Internet line 5 to input information relating to the main channel from the computer, and the information may be displayed on the output device 67.

In the above embodiment, the broadcast signal S
2 ₁ ~S2 s + _t in the broadcast signal transmitting apparatus 2 ₁ ~2 s + _t from the broadcast signal receiving apparatus 6 ₁ to 6 _r, a case has been exemplified to be transmitted via the communication satellite 7, internet 5 and ground You may transmit via a wave. Further, a plurality of communication satellites 7 may be used. Further, the broadcast signal S3 ₁ ~S3 n + _m and the content signal S4 ₁ ~S4 P + _q, in addition to internet 5, for example, may be transmitted through a ground wave or a communication satellite.

[0099] Further, in the embodiment described above, the content signal S4 ₁ from the content signal transmitting apparatus 4 ₁ ~4 p + _q
A case has been exemplified only be sent to the to S4 _{p + q} broadcast signal generator 3 ₁ ~3 _{n + m,} the content signal S4 ₁ to S4
It may be transmitted directly to _{p + q} in the broadcast signal transmitting apparatus 2 ₁ ~2 s + _t.

[0100] The broadcast signal transmitting apparatus 2 ₁ ~2 _{s + t,} a broadcast signal generating unit 3 ₁ ~3 _{n + m,} the content signal transmitting apparatus 4 ₁ ~4 _{P + q} and the broadcast signal receiving apparatus 6 ₁ to 6 _r Is not limited to the configuration described above.

[0101]

As described above, according to the broadcast signal receiving apparatus and method of the present invention, an output signal is generated by performing editing using a content signal included in a broadcast signal of a plurality of channels. And output signals of various contents can be generated. At this time, in order to determine the content signal to be edited based on the selection reference data, the selection reference data is set in accordance with the characteristics of the individual users of the broadcast signal reception device, so that the broadcast signal reception device Every,
An output signal according to the characteristics of the user can be generated.

Further, according to the broadcast signal transmitting apparatus and method of the present invention, it is possible to perform various editing processes according to the characteristics of the content signal on the broadcast signal receiving side.

Further, according to the broadcast signal transmitting system of the present invention, a content signal is transmitted and received between the content signal transmitting device and the broadcast signal generating device, and the broadcast signal is transmitted and received between the broadcast signal generating device and the broadcast signal transmitting device. , The content signal transmitted by the content signal transmitting apparatus can be edited in real time by the broadcast signal generating apparatus and transmitted from the broadcast signal transmitting apparatus. Also,
According to the broadcast signal transmission method of the present invention, since a broadcast signal is generated from a plurality of received content signals, real-time editing of the transmission signal becomes possible.

Further, according to the broadcast signal transmitting / receiving system of the present invention, a broadcast signal including a content signal and a characteristic signal indicating characteristics of the content signal is transmitted from the broadcast signal transmitting apparatus, and a plurality of broadcast signals received by the broadcast signal receiving apparatus are transmitted. Since the output signal is generated by editing using the content signal included in the broadcast signal of the channel, various output signals can be generated. Further, according to the broadcast signal transmission / reception method of the present invention, a broadcast signal including a content signal and a characteristic signal indicating the characteristic of the content signal is transmitted, and editing is performed using the content signal included in the received broadcast signals of a plurality of channels. To generate an output signal,
Various output signals can be generated on the receiving side.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a broadcast system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the content signal transmission device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a control circuit shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the broadcast signal generation device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a control circuit shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of the broadcast signal transmission device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of the broadcast signal receiving device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a control circuit shown in FIG. 7;

9A is a diagram for explaining the original subscriber data shown in FIG. 8, FIG. 9B is a diagram for explaining the service provider subscriber characteristic signal shown in FIG. 8, FIG.
(C) is a diagram for explaining the content provider subscriber characteristic signal shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the broadcast system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an output mode in the broadcast signal receiving device in an example of the operation of the broadcast signal shown in FIG. 10;

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ₁ ~2 _{s + t} ... broadcast signal transmitting apparatus, 3 ₁ ~3 _{n + m} ... broadcasting signal generating apparatus, 4 ₁ ~4 _{P + q} ... content signal transmitting apparatus, 5 ... Internet Access, 6 ₁ to 6 _r ... the broadcasting signal receiving apparatus, 7 ... communication _{satellite, S2 1 ~S2 s + t,} S3 1 ~S
3 _{n + m} ... broadcast signal, S4 ₁ ~S4 _{p + q} ... content signal, S6a ₁ ~S6a _r ... subscriber characteristic signal for the service provider, S6b ₁ ~S6b _r ... content provider for the subscriber characteristic signal

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme court ゛ (Reference) H04N 5/262 H04N 5/262 5/38 5/38 5/44 5/44 D (72) Inventor Ikemoto Kazuto 6-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo F-term within Sony Corporation (reference) 5C023 AA14 AA21 AA40 BA11 BA19 CA01 CA04 DA04 DA08 5C025 AA08 AA09 AA10 AA21 AA23 AA28 AA29 BA25 BA27 BA28 BA30 CA03 CA06 CA18 DA01 DA04 DA05 5K061 AA03 BB06 BB07 BB10 FF01 FF18 GG09 GG19 JJ07

Claims (39)

[Claims] 1. Broadcast signal receiving means for receiving broadcast signals of a plurality of channels each including a content signal and a characteristic signal indicating characteristics of the content signal, and an editing target among the received content signals of the plurality of channels. Storage means for storing selection reference data referred to when selecting a content signal to be selected; and a plurality of channels from the received broadcast signal based on the characteristic signal and the selection reference data included in the received broadcast signal. And an output signal generating means for generating an output signal by selecting the content signal of (i) and performing editing using the selected content signal. 2. The broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising output means for performing at least one of a display output and a sound output in accordance with the generated output signal. 3. The broadcast signal receiving means receives a broadcast signal of one or more main channels, and a broadcast signal of one or more sub-channels edited together with the content signal of the main channel, and Further comprising a main channel selecting means for selecting one or more main channels among the main channels, the output signal generating means, based on the characteristic signal and the selection reference data included in the received broadcast signal, Selecting the received sub-channel content signal and performing the editing using the selected sub-channel content signal and the selected main channel content signal to generate the output signal. 2. The broadcast signal receiving device according to 1. 4. The characteristic signal indicates a characteristic of the content of a corresponding content signal by using a predetermined classification, and the selection reference data is a content signal for performing the selection in accordance with an individual user. 2. The broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the characteristics of the broadcast signal are indicated using the classification. 5. The broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising selection reference data generating means for generating said selection reference data. 6. The broadcast according to claim 5, further comprising input means, wherein said selection reference data generation means generates said selection reference data based on personal data of a user input from said input means. Signal receiver. 7. The broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the selection reference data generation means generates the selection reference data based on a history of the selection of the main channel. 8. A broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a transmitting means for transmitting channel selection history data relating to said selection history of said main channel included in said selection reference data to a transmission side of said broadcast signal. apparatus. 9. The broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said transmitting means transmits said channel selection history data via the Internet. 10. The broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content signal includes at least one of a video signal, an audio signal, and a signal that can be processed by a computer. 11. The output signal generation means, when the content signals of the selected plurality of channels each include a video signal, an image corresponding to the content signals of the plurality of channels is displayed at a predetermined position on a screen. The broadcast signal receiving device according to claim 1, wherein the editing is performed to generate the output signal so that the output signal is simultaneously displayed in a predetermined size. 12. When the content signals of the selected plurality of channels each include a video signal, the output signal generating means outputs the video corresponding to the content signals of the plurality of channels in different time zones. The broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the editing is performed to generate the output signal so as to be displayed on a screen. 13. The output signal generation means, wherein the content signal of at least one channel among the content signals of the selected plurality of channels is a video signal, and the content signal of at least one other channel is an audio signal. In some cases, the display according to the video signal and the sound according to the audio signal are output in synchronization with each other,
The broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the editing is performed to generate the output signal. 14. The content signal of the slave channel,
The information providing device includes information that specifies an information providing device that provides information related to the content signal of the main channel. In response to a user's instruction, the information providing device specifies the information providing device. 4. The broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an information providing apparatus connecting means for automatically connecting and receiving information from said information providing apparatus. 15. The information providing means is a computer connected on an Internet line, the information for specifying the information providing means is an address on the Internet line, and the information providing device connecting means is 15. The broadcast signal receiving device according to claim 14, wherein the broadcast signal receiving device is automatically connected to the information providing device via the Internet line based on information specifying the information providing device in response to a user's instruction. 16. The broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said broadcast signal receiving means wirelessly receives said broadcast signal. 17. The broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said broadcast signal receiving means receives said broadcast signal via a satellite. 18. The broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said broadcast signal receiving means receives said broadcast signal via a communication cable. 19. The broadcast signal receiving apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said broadcast signal receiving means receives said broadcast signal via the Internet. 20. Generating and transmitting a broadcast signal including a content signal and a characteristic signal indicating the characteristic of the content signal used when generating an output signal by editing a content signal of a plurality of channels on a receiving side. Broadcast signal transmitter. 21. A content signal transmitting apparatus for transmitting a content signal, and the content used when a received signal is edited and a content signal of a plurality of channels is edited on a broadcast signal receiving side to generate an output signal. A broadcast signal transmission system, comprising: a broadcast signal generation device that generates a broadcast signal including a characteristic signal indicating signal characteristics; and a broadcast signal transmission device that transmits the generated broadcast signal. 22. The apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising: a plurality of said content signal transmitting apparatuses, wherein said broadcast signal generating apparatus includes storage means for storing broadcast signal transmission schedule data; 22. The broadcast according to claim 21, wherein one or more content signals are selected from the plurality of content signals received from the content signal transmission device, and the broadcast signal is generated by adding the characteristic signal to the selected content signal. Signal transmission system. 23. The broadcast signal generation device according to claim 21, wherein the broadcast signal generation device edits a content signal received from the content signal transmission device, and adds the characteristic signal to the edited content signal to generate the broadcast signal. Broadcast signal transmission system. 24. A plurality of broadcast signal generators each of which generates the broadcast signal of one channel, wherein the broadcast signals of the plurality of channels generated by the plurality of broadcast signal generators include a broadcast signal of a main channel. 22. The broadcast signal transmission system according to claim 21, further comprising: a broadcast signal of the sub-channel to be edited together with a content signal of the main channel on a receiving side of the broadcast signal. 25. The broadcast signal generation device, comprising: receiving channel selection history data indicating a history of the channel selection by a user on the broadcast signal receiving side, based on the received channel selection history data, 3. A broadcast signal transmission schedule data is updated.
3. The broadcast signal transmission system according to 2. 26. The content signal transmitting apparatus receives channel selection history data indicating a history of the channel selection by a user on the broadcast signal receiving side, and based on the received channel selection history data, The broadcast signal transmission system according to claim 21, wherein a content signal to be transmitted is determined. 27. The broadcast signal transmission system according to claim 21, wherein said content signal transmission device outputs said content signal to said broadcast signal generation device via an Internet line. 28. The broadcast signal transmission system according to claim 21, wherein said broadcast signal generation device outputs said broadcast signal to said broadcast signal transmission device via an Internet line. 29. A broadcast signal transmitting apparatus for generating and transmitting a plurality of channels of broadcast signals each including a content signal and a characteristic signal indicating characteristics of the content signal, and a broadcast receiving the plurality of channels of broadcast signals. Signal receiving means, and storage means for storing selection reference data referred to when selecting a content signal to be edited from among the received content signals of the plurality of channels,
A content signal of a plurality of channels is selected from the received broadcast signal based on the characteristic signal and the selected reference data included in the received broadcast signal, and the output signal is edited by using the selected content signal. A broadcast signal transmitting / receiving system, comprising: a broadcast signal receiving device having: an output signal generating unit for generating the broadcast signal; 30. The broadcast signal transmitting apparatus generates and transmits a broadcast signal of one or more main channels and a broadcast signal of one or more sub-channels to be edited together with the content signal of the main channel. The broadcast signal receiving apparatus further includes a main channel selection unit that selects one or a plurality of main channels among the plurality of main channels, and the output signal generation unit includes the characteristic included in the received broadcast signal. Selecting the received sub-channel content signal based on the signal and the selection reference data, and performing the editing using the selected sub-channel content signal and the selected main channel content signal. 30. The broadcast signal transmission / reception system according to claim 29, wherein the system generates the output signal. 31. The broadcast signal transmitting / receiving system according to claim 29, wherein said broadcast signal transmitting device transmits said broadcast signal via a satellite. 32. Receiving a broadcast signal of a plurality of channels each including a content signal and a characteristic signal indicating the characteristic of the content signal, and converting a content signal to be edited among the received content signals of the plurality of channels. Using the selected reference data referred to when selecting and the characteristic signal included in the received broadcast signal, selecting a content signal of a plurality of channels from the received broadcast signal, using the selected content signal Broadcast signal receiving method for generating an output signal by performing editing. 33. The broadcast signal receiving method according to claim 32, wherein at least one of a display output and an audio output according to the generated output signal is performed. 34. Receiving a broadcast signal of one or more main channels and a broadcast signal of one or more subsidiary channels to be edited together with the content signal of the main channel, wherein the broadcast signal included in the received broadcast signal is received. Selecting the received sub-channel content signal based on the characteristic signal and the selected reference data, and performing the editing using the selected content signal and the explicitly selected main channel content signal; 33. The broadcast signal receiving method according to claim 32, wherein the output signal is generated by performing the following steps. 35. The characteristic signal indicates a characteristic of the content of a corresponding content signal by using a predetermined classification, and the selection reference data is a content signal for performing the selection according to each user. 33. The broadcast signal receiving method according to claim 32, wherein the characteristic is indicated by using the classification. 36. Generate and transmit a broadcast signal including a content signal and a characteristic signal indicating the characteristic of the content signal used when generating an output signal by editing a content signal of a plurality of channels on a receiving side. Broadcast signal transmission method. 37. The method according to claim 3, wherein the content signal is received.
7. The broadcast signal transmission method according to 6. 38. Receiving a plurality of said content signals, selecting one or more content signals from said plurality of received content signals based on broadcast signal transmission schedule data, and adding said selected content signal to said selected content signal. The broadcast signal transmission method according to claim 37, wherein the broadcast signal is generated by adding a characteristic signal. 39. A method for generating and transmitting broadcast signals of a plurality of channels each including a content signal and a characteristic signal indicating characteristics of the content signal, receiving the broadcast signals of the plurality of channels, Using the selected reference data referred to when selecting a content signal to be edited from among the content signals of the channels and the characteristic signal included in the received broadcast signal, a plurality of channels are obtained from the received broadcast signal. A broadcast signal transmitting / receiving method for selecting a content signal and generating an output signal by editing using the selected content signal.